REGION NEWS

New Jersey Nurse, Jul/Aug 2004

REGION 1

Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren Liz Berger, RN VP Communications

A candlelight vigil to honor nurses was held at the College of Saint Elizabeth on May 11th. Approximately 50 nurses attended the vigil with speaker Dr. Sharon Hellwig.

The Nomination Commitee is working on completing the ballots for election of next years officers.

Our next Region I Board meeting will be September 28th.

REGION 2

Bergen, Hudson John Fajvan, RN VP Communications

Region 2 will be holding their annual meeting and brunch once again this year at Victor's Maywood Inn in May wood at 11 am on Sunday, October 3rd. Anyone interested in attending or helping out, is asked to contact Karen Long, VP to the Institute via e-mail at: Karen4164@aol.com.

REGION 3

Essex, Union Bettye Ingram, RN VP Communications

Region 3 has been busy and involved in various activities of the NJSNA. Eileen Fay, first-time president of the Region, presented us with many challenges and expertly defined her vision to get there. She worked tirelessly her first year at the helm for this Region and the Board of Directors enjoyed the hard work. We look forward to continue this venture with her.

Vacating Positions: Some Board Members are vacating their current positions to move into other areas of Region Operations: Dawn Kozlowski, Secretary. Dawn's ability to listen to a discussion and record it in precise order is one of her extraordinary talents. We believe she has probably memorized Robert's Rules. Ella Shaykevich, Treasurer, with an exceptional attention for details, streamlined our financial system for persistent accuracy. Heather Clark, Nominating Chair, kept an eye on office term limits and produced slates of candidates that kept the operation of the organization moving. Bettye Ingram, VP, Communications, recorded the programs and events and progress of the Region for publication in the NJ NURSE. This gave us an opportunity to see in print what was happening in Region 3. We applaud the work and dedication of these members as they move on to other positions.

Open Positions are President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, VP of Communications, Nominating Committee, and two Members at Large.

Many thanks to the Bylaws Committee, headed by Marilyn Samuels, for their continued diligence to update the Bylaws. Congratulations also to Marilyn on her election as ANA Delegate. She attended the ANA Convention in June as a first-time delegate. Region 3 feels privileged to have her in that position. Annette Hubbard continues to serve on the Community Board for the Institute for Eliminating Health Disparities at UMDNJ. She was honored in various categories of community work: received a certificate of recognition from Communities Against Tobacco to make Union County a healthier place, certificate of recognition at the Mary McCleod Bethune program sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women for long time service. During National Nurses Week, she was honored along with other nurses by the Essex County of Chosen Freeholders. The Resolution was sponsored by Freeholders Carolyn Clark and Muriel M. Shore and received a Proclamation from Joseph N. Divincenzo, Essex County Executive.

The Nancy Crabtree Fortna Scholarship, headed by Franklin Hickey, will give its first award this year. Region 3 Annual meeting, coordinated by Saundra Austin-Benn was a learning experience and provided a wonderful networking opportunity. The topic, "An Update on Alzheimer's Disease" presented by Dr. Munoz of Elizabeth. It was held at the La Catena Restaurant in Roselle Park. The dinner was sponsored by Forrest Pharmaceuticals.

Installation ceremony for newly elected officers will be Sunday, August 1, 2004, at NJSNA, Trenton. The next meeting for Region 3 will be September 2004. Check website www.njsna.org for date and time.

REGION 4

Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset Sandy Quinn, RN, President

Plans will soon be made for the upcoming year's meeting dates and times. Congratulations to Rosemarie Hertting, RN, MSN, APN, C, CHPN, Region 4 member from Monmouth Medical Center who was the recipient of this year's Governor's Nursing Merit Award as an Advanced Practice Nurse.

Also, congratulations to the other members of Region 4 who were nominated for this year's Governor's Nursing Merit Award: Judith Pollacheck, Advanced Practice Nurse; Linda Ries, Nurse Administrator; Sandra Quinn and Raymond Scarpa, Nurse Educator/Reseacher; Sandra Beyrouty, Registered Professional Nurse.

REGION 5

Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem Heather Keesing, RN VP Communications

Well, I hope that everyone is enjoying his or her summer! Region 5 had elections to vote on the following open positions: VP Membership, VP Policy/Congress on Practice, VP Procedure, VP Communication, and Member at Large. The votes are in and congratulations to the following new board members: Faith Norcross Weintraub-VP Membership, Alice Sinclair-VP Policy/Congress on Practice, Heather Keesing-VP Procedure, Lynn O'Malley-VP Communication, and Rosemarie Marmion-Member at Large! Our transition meeting is scheduled for June 24 at President, Shelly Schneider's house where we will confirm the upcoming year's calendar.