REGIONS

New Jersey Nurse, May/Jun 2004

REGION I

Vivian Contreras, RN, President

Region I comprises Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties. I assumed my position as president in August of 2003. With many new board members joining us this year I have been looking forward to working with a very enthusiastic group of women. I would like to recognize them here. Linda Bowersox, President-elect, Marie VanDeVeire, Treasurer, Sally Colatarci, VP of Institute and INPAC representative, Terri Bernaz, VP of Education, Barbara Koegel, VP of Membership, Elizabeth Burger, VP of Communications, Karen Sosnowski, Secretary, Ingeborg DiGiacomo, Nominating committee, Eileen Specchio, Nominating committee, Resolutions committee, Ellen Ehrlich, Nominating committee, Doris Mallette, Nominating committee, Mary Anne Marra, Passaic County Coordinator, Jayne Kirkpatrick, Sussex County Coordinator, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Sussex County Coordinator, Anne Marie Kitchen, Morris County Coordinator, Susan Hart, Morris County Coordinator, Nona Wolosin, Warren County Coordinator, Darlene Borromeo, Immediate Past President.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank members who agreed to represent Region I on the state level on a number of committees; Patricia Grzybowski, Bylaws committee, Monica Maraska, Nominations committee, Valerie Edward, Resolutions committee, Marilyn DeStefano, Awards committee.

Since the last convention we had our Annual dinner on April 30, 2003. Pat Polansky, RN, NJ Assistant Commissioner Department of Health and Senior Services Division of Aging and Community Services was our guest speaker. Her topic challenged us to see nursing in new capacities in the future, to broaden our view of what our role should be in the management of our patients care. We also recognized nurses who made heroic contributions in their communities; we hope to make this tradition.

We continue with our "Nurses Helping Neighbors" and participated in various health fairs: Stanhope Day on June 8, Hackettstown Centennial Celebration on June 22 and St. Anne's Church Health fair on November 2. This is tradition we would like to continue into the next 2 years.

Another project we are hoping to get off the ground this year is visiting our local school districts to share with the students nursing as a career option. We anticipate the board members will start this and hopefully our region members will join/invite us to their schools.

One more objective of the Region is to raise money for the institute with a Run/Walk in 2004. We are making a plea to any of our members who have experience in this to contact us.

We have had board meeting on September 23, October 22, November 25, and December 15, 2003. In 2004 our board meetings will be February 9, Convention, June 10, at the Morris Hills Center, 77 Madison Ave., Morristown at 6 pm. All meetings are open to members at large. Our Annual Dinner will be April 28, 2004 at the Sheraton Tara in Parsippany.

As co-Chair of the Convention committee I hope to meet many new faces of Region I these three days. I pray for a successful 2 years in my presidency and hope to meet the needs of our Region board and members. I want to thank everyone who has supported me.

REGION II

Sherry Boseski, RN, President

This year has been one of great changes for Region II. First I would like to congratulate our newly elected board members. VP of the Institute Term (2003-2005) is Karen Long RN, VP of Congress on Policy Term (2003-2005) is Gay Lutton RN, VP of Membership Term (2003-2005) is Linda Wolfson RN, Membership at Large newly elected members include Term (2003-2005), Susan Torres RN, Sue Panek RN, MyIa Pasaporte RN, Jessica DeJong RN, Nominations and Elections include Term (2003-2005); Naomi Cazeau RN, Nicole Downs RN, Pat Puchalik RN. I would like also to thank our current board members for their hard work and dedication VP of Communication Term (2002-2004) Scott Croonquist RN, Treasurer Term (2002-2004) Mary A. Carroll RN, Nominations and Elections Term (2002-2004), Victoria Correale RN (Chair), Diane Stanley RN, and our immediate past-president Cindy Sonzogni RN.

As we all know a region is only as valuable as its membership. I would like to report that last years membership demonstrated its interest and enthusiasm for regional activities and we had one of our highest return ballots ever. Special thanks to Victoria Correale, Cindy Sonzogni, Rosemary Ryan, Pat Puchalik, Sue Panek, Scott Croonquist, and John Favjan who put extra effort and cost by enclosing the return address on each ballot and a return stamped envelope.

Awards, awards and more awards have been bestowed to our membership this year. Winners in our region include Sally Liptak RN of Hackensack Home Health was awarded the coveted prize as a DIVA within the State of New Jersey and recognized for this achievement December 3, 2003. Within our region we also have award winners John Favjan RN and Pat Puchalik RN both received service awards from our region and were recognized at our annual luncheon at the Maywood Inn September 28, 2003. Also great thanks and appreciation is given to John Favjan RN (past VP of the Institute) for organizing the entire event, which was once again beautiful. Our speaker this year was Pat Puchalik RN who spoke of her visit to Russia and the type of care given to Hospice patients there. It was quiet informative and a real treat to know how well versed and dedicated our members are to health care on a global prospective.