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Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it we are going back. Florence Nightingale
Welcome to 2012! Your MaAOHN Board of Directors had an energetic first meeting this month which resulted in some great plans for the coming year. Here are some highlights………
We will be celebrating Public Health Nursing Week at the Public Health Museum in Tewksbury on April 4th with a wine and cheese reception organized by Carin Bennett-Rizzo. A presentation will follow on Tuberculosis Management by Patricia Iyer MSN, RN, BC from the Department of Public Health, organized by Nancy Clover. We have invited Terri Arthur, RN, local author of “Fatal Decision: Edith Cavell WWI Nurse” for a book signing. (I have been enjoying every page of my copy.) CEU’s will be awarded for the event. Look for the announcement coming your way soon.
Has anyone told you what a great nurse you are lately? Join us for a joint chapter conference this Spring honoring the work we do as Occupational Health Nurses at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland, Ma. We will reinforce the importance of nurturing ourselves as well as those we care for. Carol Clancy, Kathy Tumminello, Joan Balkus and Anne LaFontaine, our Chapter Presidents promise it will be educational, rewarding, motivating and fun… stay tuned! More CEU’s will be awarded for this event.
Sheila Litchfield RN, FAAOHN has agreed to lead a special Membership Task Force to focus on how best to support our members. F.A.M.E. - Fun, Appreciation, Membership, and Enthusiasm will be the cornerstones of a template for creating positive and meaningful opportunities for our members. Charlene Churchill and Milda Walkley were the first to volunteer for the committee. I guarantee you will be energized as a member of this Task Force. Contact me if you are interested in participating.
MaAOHN is a strong partner to the alliances we have formed and you are part of that strength. Peg O’Connor will be working closely with all of our Alliance groups and most recently with the American Lung Association for the Clean Air Act. In addition, we have joined forces with the Case Management Society of New England to support the passage of the Nurse Compact Act. We will keep you updated as we receive additional information. Contact Peg if you are interested in learning more.
Nancy Clover is exploring opportunities to participate in the 2013 Rose Bowl Parade where for the first time the Master of Ceremonies will be a Nurse - Sally Bixby. It would be exciting for MaAOHN to be a part of a national platform recognizing the voice of Nursing.
We are happy to welcome two members serving on the board for the first time. Kaitlin Mendonca and Marcia Estes bring new insight to our group. We are hoping to see more of our members volunteering for the first time. It may be by just making a phone call or helping out with registration at an event (thank you Kaitlin) – every little bit helps to keep our organization strong. Ask your local presidents how you can help - the rewards of friendship, inspiration, and laughter are waiting for you.
Barbara Haswell is coordinating efforts to redesign our webpage as an interactive resource for our members. We are exploring a Facebook page for MaAOHN members to communicate with each other and other State Chapter members of AAOHN. More to come on social media!
This is just the beginning! Please, join us at events or on our committees, your voice is an integral part of our organization and is needed for us to thrive. I look forward to seeing you.
Gail A Carchietta, RN
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