FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Information: Janet D'Alesandro
(856) 256-2422; janetd@ajj.com
Nurses and Health Care Professionals
Explore Evidence-Based Practice at Successful
American Nephrology Nurses Association Symposium
PITMAN, NJ Spotlighting evidence-based nursing practice, the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) hosted over 1,300 nephrology nurses and health care professionals at its 37th National Symposium April 2-5, 2006, in Nashville, TN.
United by the common goal of better outcomes for their patients, the participants enjoyed a broad slate of educational sessions on the latest treatment and practice advances.
Nephrology nurses today are highly tuned to the value of applying evidence to practice, said ANNAs new President JoAnne Gilmore, BSN, RN, CNN. This symposium was particularly exciting because we featured sessions that blended research with the art and science of nursing.
At the symposium, which was held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the attendees also met with exhibitors and industry representatives in the exhibit hall, earned contact hours and enjoyed networking and social events.
Highlights
Outgoing ANNA President Suzann VanBuskirk, BSN, RN, CNN, hosted the symposiums Opening Ceremonies on Sunday, April 2. Immediately after, former television news anchor Anne Ryder presented the opening presentation, Three Steps to Power, Peace, and Perseverance: Lessons in Health Care from Mother Teresa. Ryder was the last journalist to interview Mother Teresa before her death, and she has traveled the world speaking about peace and spiritual balance.
On Monday, April 3, Sheila A. Ryan, PhD, RN, FAAN, a former nephrology nurse, and Barry Straube, MD, chief operating officer, acting director, Office of Clinical
Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), delivered the Janel Parker Memorial Keynote Address. Dr. Ryan explored the gains made in clinical practice today by using evidence-based knowledge, and Dr. Straube discussed the latest CMS initiatives and guidelines.
New Officers
ANNAs incoming officers were inducted during the Nephrology Nurse Day Recognition Luncheon on April 4. VanBuskirk continued ANNAs tradition of transitioning to a new president by passing the vision crystal to 2006-07 President Gilmore. As she accepted the crystal, Gilmore outlined her goals: fostering continued growth of ANNAs new Acute Care Special Interest Group; increasing educational offerings for advanced practice nurses; and developing an Open Mentorship Program for all levels of nephrology practitioners.
Joining VanBuskirk and Gilmore on the 2006-07 ANNA Board of Directors are President-Elect Sandra M. Bodin, MA, RN, CNN; Secretary Jenny Bell, BSN, RN, CNN, CCTC; Treasurer Norma Gomez, MBA, BHA, RN, CNN; Northeast Vice President Debra Castner, MSN, RN, APNC, CNN; Southeast Vice President Cheryl Groenhoff, MSN, MBA, RN, CNN; North Central Vice President Donna Bednarski, MSN, APRN, BC, CNN, CNP; and Western Vice President Sally Campoy, MS, APRN, BC, CNN.
Awards and Honors
At the symposium, ANNA distributed more than $70,000 in scholarships, grants and awards. Glenda Payne, MS, RN, CNN, of Duncanville, TX, received the Outstanding Contribution to ANNA Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an ANNA member. Molly Cahill, MSN, APN-C, RN, CNN, of Kansas City, MO, was awarded the Ron Brady Memorial Award for Excellence in Volunteer Leadership. M. Sue McManus, MSN, APRN, CNN, of Eunice, LA, received the ANNA Directors Award, which recognizes a grassroots member for advancing the goals and objectives of ANNA. A complete list of all awards and scholarships is available on the ANNA Web site, www.annanurse.org.
2007 Symposium
ANNAs 38th Annual National Symposium will be held April 22-27, 2007, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, TX. The theme will be Advocacy Through Leadership. For more information about the symposium and ANNA, contact the ANNA National Office at East Holly Avenue Box 56, Pitman, NJ 08071-0056; phone 888-600-ANNA (2662) or 856-256-2320; fax 856-589-7463; e-mail anna@ajj.com; Web site www.annanurse.org.
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ANNA is a professional nursing association with over 12,000 members. Its mission is to advance nephrology nursing practice and positively influence outcomes for patients with kidney disease processes requiring replacement therapies
through advocacy, scholarship and excellence.