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The Mississippi RN
MISSISSIPPI NURSES ASSOCIATION
The Mississippi Nurses Association is the voice of registered nurses in Mississippi and provides leadership to improve the health of all people.
Vol. 71, No. 1
Spring 2009
Vol. 69, No. 3
‘09 Nightingale Awards
Recipients Recognized
A record turnout attended the fifth annual
Mississippi Nurses Association’s and Foundation’s
2009 Nightingale Awards Gala on March 2 in the
Marriott Hotel Downtown, Jackson. The annual
Nightingale Awards is the “academy award”
honoring exceptional service in the nursing and
healthcare industry across Mississippi.
Ronnie Agnew, executive editor of The Clarion
Ledger served as emcee for the evening. Ronnie
Agnew, 46, has been executive editor of The
Clarion-Ledger since August 2002. A native
Mississippian, Agnew started his journalism
career in 1984 as a reporter at The Greenwood
Commonwealth. Since then, Agnew has worked for
Inside
Fall 2007
a variety of newspapers in Mississippi, Alabama
and Ohio. Under Agnew’s leadership, The ClarionLedger has produced three Pulitzer Prize finalists
and been vigilant in First Amendment journalism.
“The Nightingale Awards distinguish those
men, women and organizations that have made a
special effort to excel in the area of healthcare,”
said Ricki Garrett, Ph.D., executive director of the
Mississippi Nurses Association, co-host of the event.
“This year more than 100 nurses, nurse educators,
administrators and healthcare facilities were
nominated for statewide honors.”
‘09 Nightingale Awards continued on page 3
NP Spring Convention
Join Mississippi Nurse Practitioners at the 2009
annual Spring Convention held in Olive Branch
at the Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference
Center.
Page 11
MNA Legislative Focus
MNA is sponsoring four initiatives in the
legislature this year. Take a look at the measures
and where they stand in the process.
Page 5
Last Chance!
More than 1,200 student nurses, registered nurses and nurse professionals attended the 2009
Statewide Nursing Summit at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson on Tuesday, Jan. 27. From left,
MNA President Pam Farris, Southwest Mississippi Community College Student James Church,
American Nurses Association President Rebecca Patton and Nurse Practitioner Mike Stinson discuss
the roles professional associations play in Nursing’s future. (See story and more photos inside.)
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Order now. Your 8-inch
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Page 12
JOIN MNA NOW!
Save the Date!
MNA Disaster
Preparedness
Conference
July 10 & 11
Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa,
Florence, AL
page 2 • mississippi rN
march, april, may 2009
Executive Director’s Column
by Ricki Garrett, Ph.D.
As we rushed about to prepare for the Statewide
Nursing Summit and the visit by American
Nurses Association president, Becky Patton, it
was important to stop and consider why it is so
important for nurses to become involved politically
and why we need to be involved with our national
nursing organization.
As we begin a new year with a new president
and a new agenda for the future of health care in
our country, nurses must recognize the tremendous
political power that they have and the need to have
their voices heard both in developing nursing policy
as well as health care policy. No one understands
patient care any better than nurses, and it is vital to
have nurses at the table when these decisions are
made.
In our own state, important legislative decisions
are being made that directly impact nursing
and nurses. Rep. Becky Currie and Rep. Frances
Fredericks have submitted a bill to protect the
title “nurse.” This bill is designed to prevent those
who have not been prepared as nurses from using
the title. Nationally, the Christian Scientists have
attempted to change nurse practice acts to have
Christian Science caretakers added. We are also
lobbying for $750,000 in funding for the Office
of Nursing Workforce to create an alliance for
the development of a simulation lab project and
to expand the Student Max software program
statewide. The Mississippi Nurses Association
is also advocating for additional school nurses
and for the cap to be raised on the number of
school nurses eligible to receive additional pay for
national certification. Finally, we are supporting the
elimination of the joint promulgation of regulations
pertaining to nurse
practitioners between
the Board of Medical
Licensure and the
Board of Nursing. This
legislation will enable
the Board of Nursing to
have complete authority
over nurse practitioners.
It is not a bill to allow
for independent practice
as some physicians
have charged. Nurse
practitioners will
continue to collaborate
Ricki Garrett
with a physician in a like
specialty.
As changes are being made in national health
care policies, it is important for us to work
closely with the American Nurses Association in
developing good national policies as well. Nurses
should become familiar, not only with their local
legislators, but with their senate and congressional
representatives. By being actively involved in the
American Nurses Association, Mississippi nurses
and representatives can also help to develop the
policies that directly impact nursing issues. I am
very pleased to be a part of the search committee
that will be responsible for the selection of a new
American Nurses Association executive director.
Finally, please remember the importance of your
membership to MNA. We are now the number one
non-union nurses association in the country in
terms of percentage of nurses who are members.
We are number seventeen among all of the state
nurses associations. There is strength in numbers,
and we need you!
Board of Directors
President
Pam Farris, RN, BSN, OCN
[email protected]
Vice President
Carl Mangum, RN, MSN, PhD(c), CHS, FF
[email protected]
Secretary
Linda Todd, RN, BS, MS
[email protected]
Treasurer
Jeffrey Hallman, MSN, RN
jthallman@hospadmin.
umsmed.edu
Directors
Council on Nursing Education
Marilyn Ellis, NP
[email protected]
Council on Health Affairs
Bess Blackwell, RN, MSN, CNA, BC
[email protected]
Council on Organizational Affairs
Ann Barnes, BSN, RN
[email protected]
Council on Nursing Research
Laura Schenk, PhD, RN, CNNP
[email protected]
Council on Nursing Practice
Tearsanee Carlisle, RN, BSN, OCN, NP
[email protected]
Council on Advanced Practice
Jackie Williams, MSN, NP-C
[email protected]
MNA Staff
Executive Director
Lobbyist
Ricki Garrett, Ph.D.
Betty Dickson
Events and Continuing Education Coordinator
Angela Weathersby
Finance Administrator/ Marketing/Communications
Membership Coordinator
Director
Deborah Norman
Betty Ruth Hawkins
Administrative Assistant
Myrna Lea
District Presidents
DNA 1
DNA 2
DNA 5
DNA 6
DNA 7
DNA 8
DNA 11
DNA 12
DNA 13
DNA 15
Diane Blanchard
Melinda Sills
Dan Burgess
Terri Gore
Michelle Williams
Ashley Krebs
Joyce Keen
Debbie Hoover
Tonya Moore
Juanita Graham
DNA 16
DNA 18
DNA 21
DNA 23
DNA 25
DNA 28
DNA 31
DNA 32
Maxine Puckett
Betsy Copeland
Florence Jones
Michelle (Mimi)
Pixley
Mary Walden
Emily Ashworth
Jodi Russell
Jennie Gallagher
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval
by the Mississippi Nurses Association of products advertised, the
advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does
not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or
that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use. MNA and the Arthur L. Davis
Publishing Agency shall not be held liable for any consequences
resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles
appearing in this publication express the opinions of the authors;
they do not necessarily reflect the views of staff, board, or membership of MNA or those of the national or local associations.
Advertising Rates Contact—Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc.,
517 Washington St., P.O. Box 216, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, 800-6264081. The Mississippi RN and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility
for errors in advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue
or refund of price of advertisement.
march, april, may 2009Mississippi RN • Page 3
‘09 Nightingale Awards continued from page 1
2009 Nightingale
Award Recipients
Winners for 2009 include:
♣ Claire Durst, RN, University of Mississippi
Health Care–Nurse Rookie of the Year;
♣ Wanda Dent, RN, Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi–Nurse Mentor of the Year;
♣ Marcella McKay, Ph.D., RN, Mississippi
Hospital Association–Nurse in Non-Traditional
Setting of the Year;
♣ Kimberla Jones, RN, North Mississippi
Medical Center–Nurse Researcher of the Year;
♣ Michelle Burns, RN, MSN, OCN, University of
Mississippi Health Care–Nursing Educator of
the Year;
♣ Katherine E. Nugent, Ph.D., RN, University
of Southern Mississippi–School of Nursing
Administrator of the Year;
♣ University of Mississippi Medical Center
School of Nursing–School of Nursing of the
Year;
♣ Jean Walker, Ph.D., RN, University of
Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing–
Nursing Faculty Member of the Year
♣ Leigh Ann Puckett, RN, North Mississippi
Medical Center–Nursing Administrator of the
Year;
♣ Prime Care Nursing–Nurse Employer of the
Year;
♣ Hancock Medical Center–Hospital of the Year
(Less than 100 Beds);
♣ Crossgates River Oaks Hospital–Hospital of
the Year (100 Beds or More);
♣ Jan Robinson, RN, University of Mississippi
Health Care–Clinical Practice Nurse of the
Year;
♣ Becky Rogers Dorough, APN, BC, North
Mississippi Medical Center–Advanced Practice
Nurse of the Year;
♣ Romeatrius Nicole Moss, MSN, RN, Keesler
Air Force Base–Community Service Nurse of
the Year;
Thanks to the 2009
Nightingale Awards
Gala Committee
The Mississippi Nurses Association and the
Mississippi Nurses Foundation wish to recognize
and thank the members of the 2009 Nightingale
Awards Gala Committee. Their tireless commitment
and inspiring energy makes the Nightingale Gala
one of the state’s premiere health care related
events.
Co-Chairs
Brenda Castleberry
Committee
Debbie Allen
Ann Barnes
Tim Cockrell
Pam Farris
Jeannie Fortenberry
Janet Harris
Daphne Jackson
Shannon Neville
Marcia Rachel
Diane Vesa
♣ Janice P. Starling, RN, North Mississippi
Medical Center–Nurse of the Year, and, Hall of
Fame (2009);
See Photos and More
Due to the press time, MNA has only been
able to include announcement of the winners in
this issue of the Mississippi RN. Watch for more
information, photos and highlights of the 2009
Nightingale Awards Gala in the March Issue of
Members Only due out Friday, March 27 and the
next issue of The Mississippi RN due in June. You
can go online at www.msnurses.org or check our
MNA’s Facebook page.
2008 Nightingale
Award Recipients
• Jennifer Brooke Edwards, University of
Mississippi Health Care–Nurse Rookie of the
Year;
• Paula Brown, North Mississippi Medical
Center–Nurse Mentor of the Year;
• Tonya Moore, University of Mississippi Medical
Center–Nurse in Non-Traditional Setting of the
Year;
• Sanjosa Martin, Mississippi Baptist Medical
Center–Nurse Researcher of the Year;
• Judy Baker, Jones County Junior College and
Rebecca Tustain, Hinds Community College–
Nursing Educators of the Year;
• Kaye Bender, University of Mississippi Medical
Center–School of Nursing Administrator of the
Year;
• Northeast Mississippi Community College–
School of Nursing of the Year;
• Karen George, North Mississippi Medical
Center–Nursing Administrator of the Year;
• Deaconess HomeCare–Nurse Employer of the
Year;
• Baptist Memorial Hospital, Union County–
Hospital of the Year (Less than 100 Beds);
• University of Mississippi Health Care–
Hospital of the Year (100 Beds or More);
• Leigh-Anne Scroggins, North Mississippi
Medical Center–Clinical Practice Nurse of the
Year;
• Lisa Marie Byrd, Byrd Healthcare, LLC and
the Bolton Family Clinic–Advanced Practice
Nurse of the Year;
• Debrynda Davey University of Mississippi
Medical Center–Community Service Nurse of
the Year; and,
• Pamela Gail Hodges, North Mississippi
Medical Center–Nurse of the Year.
• Inductees into the Mississippi Nurses
Association Hall of Fame for 2008 are
Mary Pat Curtis of Columbus,
Mary Sprayberry of Nettleton and
Mary E. Stainton of Hattiesburg.
Page 4 • Mississippi RN march, april, may 2009
TAG, you’re it !
Are you driving with a nurse’s
tag?
Cost - $31
Funds from the nursing car tags are used for
SCHOLARSHIPS for STUDENT NURSES.
Purchase at your county Tax Collector’s office.
MISSISSIPPI NURSES FOUNDATION
31 Woodgreen Place
Madison, MS 39110
601.898.0850
Fax: 601.898.0190
[email protected]
march, april, may 2009
mississippi rN • page 5
MNA Focuses on Four Measures of Primary Interest
MNA is sponsoring four initiatives in the
legislature this year. First, is a measure to protect
the title of nurse (HB 1275). The intent of the bill is
to restrict the use of the title of nurse to those who
have satisfied the state licensure requirements and
protect the public against unethical, unscrupulous
and incompetent practitioners claiming to nurses.
Second, is an earmarked appropriation to the
Board of Nursing to form and fund an alliance at
the Office of Nursing Workforce to further develop
a regional simulation lab plan. This initiative comes
from the completion of a study funded last year
by the legislature on regional simulation labs. This
proposal is a request for a line-item appropriation
to the BON for $450,000. The appropriation will
fund a position at ONW, move forward with
implementing the recommendations of the study
and to implement the Student Max program
statewide.
Third, MNA is asking the legislature to remove
the requirement that regulations governing
the practice of Nurse Practitioners be jointly
promulgated with the Mississippi Board of Nursing
and the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure. If
passed, the bill (HB 1260) would allow the BON to
set all rules and regulations for nurse practitioners.
Fourth, MNA is supporting an additional increase
in the number of school nurses eligible for salary
supplement under MAEP. Currently, the cap is set at
30 and the bill (HB 335 and SB 3112) will raise it to
40.
The majority of legislation that deals with nursing
issues goes through the Public Health and Human
Services Committee in the House and the Public
Health and Welfare Committee in the Senate.
It is important for every nurse to know who the
members of these committees are, what districts
they represent and how to get in touch with the
members when a call for action is made. Your calls,
cards, letters and e-mail messages do matter.
The Mississippi Nurses Association ranks No.
1 among the non-union nurses' associations in
the country for the percentage of nurses who are
members of the association. Among all nurses
associations, union and non-union, we rank number
17. Together we can speak with one strong voice
and it will be a voice to which those who make
decisions about rules and regulations governing
your profession will listen. You just have to tell
them what you want.
The MNA Council on Health Affairs is directed by
Bess Blackwell, RN, MSN, CNA, BC. The council's
standing committee is the Committee on Health
Affairs. The chair is Deb Welch, MSN, RN. The vice
chair is Gayle Harrell, NP-C, CWCN.
The committee meets most Fridays during the
legislative session with MNA Executive Director
Ricki Garrett, Ph.D., and Lobbyist Betty Dickson
to review legislation and evaluate its impact to
nursing. Attendance at committee meetings is
open to all MNA and MASN members. The 2009
legislative session ends Saturday, April 4. Contact
Betty Ruth Hawkins at [email protected]
for confirmation of a scheduled meeting. To join
the committee, contact Bess Blackwell at bcbmb@
bellsouth.net.
You can track all legislation at http://billstatus.
ls.state.ms.us. Please review these measures and
make a call to the legislators in your district asking
for passage of these bills.
Plan to Sponsor MNF Harmony for Health: Dancing with Nurses
The Mississippi Nurses Foundation invites your
organization to join us by pledging a sponsorship
for our 2009 Harmony for Health event-Dancing
with the Nurses scheduled Friday, April 10, 2009,
7:00 p.m., at River Hills Club in Jackson.
Harmony for Health–Dancing with the
Nurses, is a way of celebrating nursing through
dance and it provides our friends throughout the
state an opportunity to support the nurses of
Mississippi as we raise funds to develop wellness
and disease prevention programs, explained
Rosalyn Howard, executive director of the
Mississippi Nurses Foundation.
Howard said the Harmony for Health committee
is working to make this an exciting evening as you
join us for Dancing with the Nurses complete with
dance lessons, such as the salsa, the swing and the
cha-cha, taught by the Applause Dance Factory.
The evening, Howard continued, will also
consist of live music performed by Compozitionz.
This extraordinary band features five extremely
talented vocalists whose sound has been compared
to The Temptations. In addition to marvelously
choreographed routines, the band truly performs
all the very best R & B dance hits complete with
costume changes.
“Sponsorship of Harmony for Health-Dancing
with the Nurses, will give you and your organization
the opportunity to provide your employees,
family and friends a fun and exciting evening,”
said Howard. “It will also allow the Mississippi
Nurses Foundation to promote your company as a
supporter of nursing and it will show that you are
committed to improving the health and wellness of
Mississippi citizens.”
For more information, contact Rosalyn Howard,
at (601) 898-0850 or email me at rhoward@
msnurses.org.
Sponsorship Levels for Dancing with the Nurses
Dancing with the Nurses Sponsor–$5,000
Corporate logo in printed promotional material
Special recognition during event
Corporate name on banner at event
Corporate signage at table of ten
Special dance lesson for table guest
10 event tickets
10 door prize tickets and gift basket with wine
Cha-Cha Sponsor–$2,500
Corporate logo in printed promotional material
Special recognition during event
Corporate name on banner at event
Corporate signage at table of ten
10 event tickets
5 door prize tickets and gift basket with wine
Swing Sponsor–$1,500
Corporate name in printed promotional material
Corporate name on banner at event
Special recognition during event
Corporate signage at table of 8
8 tickets for event
2 door prize tickets
Salsa Sponsor–$500
Corporate or individual name in printed
Mississippi
Nurses Foundation
featuring
Dance lessons provided by the
Applause Dance Factory and
Music by
Compozitionz
promotional material
Corporate name on banner at event
Shared table of 6
2 tickets for event
1 door prize ticket
Dance Sponsor–$250
Corporate or individual name on banner at event
2 event tickets
Page 6 • Mississippi RN march, april, may 2009
ANA President Headlines MNA 2009 Nursing Summit
American Nurses Association President Rebecca
M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR, was the opening
session speaker for the annual Nursing Summit
held Jan. 27 at the Mississippi Trade Mart Center.
The annual summit is presented by the Mississippi
Nurses Association (MNA) and the Mississippi
Nursing Organizations Liaison Committee.
“This year, more than 1,200 student nurses,
registered nurses and other Healthcare professionals
participated in the summit,” said MNA Executive
Director Ricki Garrett, Ph.D. “The program
seemed to be very relevant to the attendees and
participation from Mississippi legislators was
outstanding.”
Patton of Lakewood, Ohio was recently re-elected
to serve her second term as president of ANA - the
nation’s leading professional nursing organization
which represents major health policy, practice, and
workplace issues of registered nurses in the United
States.
A nurse since 1980, Patton has extensive
inpatient and outpatient experience and has
been responsible for the start up, and ongoing
operations of ambulatory medical centers, and of
an inpatient acute and a skilled nursing facility.
She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Kent
State University and a master’s from Case Western
Reserve University.
Joining Patton on the platform was Debbie
Ward, RN, Ph.D., and FAAN from the University of
California, Davis, and comedian and motivational
speaker billed as the Hilarious Hypnotist: Dr.
Holiday from Atlanta, Ga.
Ward, a political science major as an undergrad
at Oberlin College in Ohio opted to do her graduate
study in nursing at Yale University and trained to
become a family nurse practitioner. Her research
and practice interests continue in health politics
and policy. Currently, she is an associate clinical
professor with the University of California at Davis
where she is involved in launching the new Betty
Irene Moore School of Nursing.
Holiday, with degrees in the field of medicine
and psychology, and many years of providing
service in hospitals, both in the U.S. Air Force
and the public sector, focuses his humor and
motivational topics to provide “stress relief” for the
audience.
The Nursing Summit, started in 1993 and
supported by all nursing organizations in
Mississippi, is held annually to discuss upcoming
legislative issues that place Registered Nurses in
a pivotal role as players in shaping the agenda
involving health care in the state.
Members of the Mississippi Nursing
Organizations Liaison Committee
American College of Nurse Midwives
Association of Operating Room Nurses
Association of Women’s Health Obstetrics and
Neonatal Nurses
Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi
Emergency Nurses Association
Mississippi Association of Baccalaureate and
Higher Degree Nurses
Mississippi Gulf Coast Magnolia Chapter–AACN
Mississippi Association of Diabetes Educators
Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Mississippi Association of Occupational Health
Nurses
Mississippi Association of Practical Nurses
Educators
Mississippi Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
Mississippi Association of Student Nurses
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi Chapter for Nurses in AIDS Care
Mississippi Council of Deans and Directors of
Schools of Nursing
Mississippi Hospital Association Organization of
Nurse Executives
Mississippi Hospital Association Society for Health
Care Educators
Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurses Association
Mississippi Office of Nursing Workforce
Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree
Nursing
Mississippi Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses
Oncology Nursing Society
Mississippi Public Health Association–Nursing
Section
Mississippi School Nurses Association
The Hilarious Hypnotist Doc Holiday from Atlanta,
Ga., made an impression on Summit attendees.
The Statewide Nursing Summit provides
opportunities to network on many professional
levels. Bess Blackwell, seated, director of MNA’s
Council on Health Affairs talks with Tiffany
Leister, a MUW graduate student.
From left, Monica Barker, Lauren Calloway,
Devinna Bahadur, Virginia Cowart, Brittany
Chapman, and Latoia Bolton attended the 2009
Nursing Summit in Jackson on Jan. 27.
Nursing students, registered nurses and nursing
professional attended the annual statewide
Nursing Summit held Jan. 27 in the Mississippi
Trade Mart in Jackson. From left, Jay Ryker and
Nell Blakely of University of Mississippi Medical
Center School of Nursing and Jesse Davis of
Itawamba Community College School of Nursing
listen to one of the three nationally known
speakers.
Susan Richardson is led to ride an imaginary
steed to victory by The Hilarious Hypnotist Doc
Holiday during his presentation at the nursing
summit.
march, april, may 2009
mississippi rN • page 7
Thank You to Summit Sponsors and Exhibitors
Sponsors, Exhibitors Make
Statewide Nursing Summit
Possible
Sponsors and exhibitors make it possible
for the Mississippi Nurses Association and the
Nursing Organizational Liaison Committee to
bring to Jackson more than 1,200 student nurses,
registered nurses and nursing professionals to
discuss legislative initiatives, meet state lawmakers
and learn from national speakers about the role
that nursing plays on the national stage. The event
is one of the highlights of the year and is wellcovered by state and regional news media. MNA
and the NOLC thank each of the 2009 sponsors and
exhibitors.
2009 Nursing Summit Sponsors and Exhibitors
Alcorn State University School of Nursing
All That Glitters
American Nursing Services
Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC
Baptist Health Systems
College Savings MS—TIAA CREF
Delta State University School of Nursing
Forrest General Hospital
Golden Living
Hurst Review Services
Integrated Health Care Solutions
Larken Laboratories
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
MASN
Memorial Hospital at Gulfport
Methodist Rehabilitation Center
Mississippi Health Care Association
Mississippi State Department of Health
Mississippi State Hospital
Mississippi University for Women
Mobility Medical
MS Blood Service
MS Nurses Foundation
MS Organ Recovery Agency
Nexagen USA/The Weight Loss Patch
North Mississippi Medical Center
North MS State Hospital
North Oaks Health System
Ochsner Health System
Prime Care Nursing
Regency Hospital of Jackson
Rush Foundation Hospital
Samford University
Southern Healthcare Agency, Inc.
St. Dominic Hospital
The Gideons International
U.S. Army Healthcare
UAB Hospital
University of Mississippi Healthcare
University of MS Medical Center School of Nursing
University of Southern Mississippi
Wexford
Barbara Lowell, recruitment and retention manager of Golden Living nursing homes was a primary
sponsor of the Statewide Nursing Summit held Jan. 27 at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson.
Golden Living operates 10 nursing homes in Mississippi more than any other company and operates
329 nursing homes and 17 assisted living centers across the country. Golden Living is committed to
giving the best to our employees, providing not only competitive salaries but also a large selection of
benefits.
Officers and Board Members of the
Mississippi Association of Student Nurses
Officers and board members of the Mississippi Association of Student Nurses attended the 2009
statewide Nursing Summit in Jackson Jan. 27. Front Row, from left, Fran Hudson, secretary; Neal
Usry, 1st vice president; Mallory Pope, president; and Brittany Harris, treasurer. Second Row, from
left, Sherry Huie, nomination and elections committee chair; Katie Ferriss, BSN representative; Kelsey
Cade, director of Legislation Committee; Tracie Tarr, director of Fundraising; Lindy Sills, MSN, RN,
Mississippi Nurses Association Consultant; Tiffanie Credille, director at Large; Brittani Cazier, ADN
representative; Doug Kelley, chairperson of School Presidents; and Stephanie Stevens, Internet
Communications director.
Visit us on
the web at
www.msnurses.org
page 8 • mississippi rN
Continuing Education Calendar
Hypnosis Training
Six (6) Sessions beginning November, 2008 thru
October, 2010
Alpha University
Conrad Adams at 225-315-3001
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
June 19, July 8-9, Aug 14-15, Sept 16-17, Oct 23,
Nov 11-12, Dec 4, 2009
Regency Hospital of Jackson
Charlotte Dyess at 601-364-6269 or
[email protected]
Partner’s in Practice: Novice to Expert: PCCN Review
June 17, Aug 18, Oct 8, Dec 16, 2009
Regency Hospital of Jackson
Charlotte Dyess at 601-364-6269 or
[email protected]
A Comprehensive Approach to LEAP
March 5, 2009
Ask Med, Inc.
Margaret Davis at 601-713-0882 or
[email protected]
MNA Disaster Preparedness Conference
July 10 and 11
Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa, Florence, Ala.
Nursing Practice Law Fact or Fiction; Truth or
Consequences”
March 11, 2009
Mississippi Hospital Association-Organization of
Nurse Executives
Northeast Council
Wanda Barbour Dent at 662-513-1601 or
[email protected]
march, april, may 2009
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
March 28-29, 2009
Greenwood Leflore Hospital
Melanie King at 662-459-2754 or [email protected]
2009 Nurse Practitioners Spring Convention
April 17 and 18
Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference Center,
Olive Branch
Neonatal Resuscitation Provider Course Update
July 10, 2010 (Dates of courses are pending. A letter
will be sent with actual dates.)
Magnolia Regional Health Center
Donna Dean at 662-293-1205 or [email protected]
Nurse Practitioner Workshop for Controlled
Substances
May 21 and 22
31 Woodgreen Place, Madison, MS 39110
This is a video workshop with pre-recorded speaker
Dr. Sharon Dickey. Maximum participants: 30. There
will be no on-site registration for this workshop.
Payment must be made at the time of registration.
There must be 10 registrants for the class to make.
This activity provided for 10.0 contact hours.
Nurse Practitioner Workshop for Controlled
Substances
Aug. 6 and 7
31 Woodgreen Place, Madison, MS 39110
This is a video workshop with pre-recorded speaker
Dr. Sharon Dickey. Maximum participants: 30. There
will be no on-site registration for this workshop.
Payment must be made at the time of registration.
There must be 10 registrants for the class to make.
This activity provided for 10.0 contact hours.
Nurses touch lives……
Start 2009 with the
Mississippi Nurses
Foundation
by Rosalyn Howard, M.Ed.
On your mark, get ready, set, and go! The
Mississippi Nurses Foundation is fired up and ready
to go. 2009 is marked to be an exciting and busy
year for the Foundation. We will be launching a newly
designed website that will keep you abreast of what’s
going on with the Foundation. We are also designing
a newsletter with hidden messages for you to find and
win great prizes and tickets to events.
Also, mark your calendar for April 10, 2009, when
Harmony for Health, will present: Dancing with the
Nurses. This inaugural event will get you up on your
feet doing the cha-cha or the swing in celebration of
being a nurse or a friend of a nurse. Lessons provided
by: The Applause Dance Factory and music by
Compozitionz. Location: River Hills Club-Jackson, MS.
Cost: $50. Sponsorship are available.
On June 12, 2009, the Mississippi Nurses
Foundation, Dillard’s and the American Cancer Society
will partner to offer: Surviving with Style,—a fashion
show and luncheon for cancer survivors designed to
bring awareness to the number of individuals that are
suffering with cancer. It will also bring awareness to
the service that nurses provide everyday to patients
from diagnosis to treatment. This event will transform
patients who have loss their hair, self esteem and
confidence due to chemotherapy or radiation. It will
also reunite survivors with their nurse and share
stories of triumph and defeat. Proceeds from this
event will help support the MS Nurses Foundation in
developing health and wellness preventions programs
for Mississippi citizens and support the American
Cancer Society in its mission of preventing cancer
through advocacy and research.
Location: Marriott Hotel-Downtown Jackson. Cost:
$50. Sponsorships are available
For more details or if you are interested in
serving on a committee to support your events of
the Foundation please contact Rosalyn Howard at
[email protected] or (601) 898-0850.
march, april, may 2009
Save the Date
March 1:
Nightingale Decorating
Committee, Downtown Marriott,
Jackson
March 2:
2009 Nightingale Awards gala
March 28:
Clinical Hemodialysis Technician
Examination–Nephrology
Nursing Certification Commission
three-hour exam for Clinical
Hemodialysis Technicians
April 10:
Harmony for Health: Dancing
with the Nurses, River Hills Club
in Jackson
April 17 and 18: MNA 2009 Nurse Practitioner
Spring Convention, Whispering
Woods Hotel and Conference
Center, Olive Branch
April 21:
MNA District 13 meeting, UMMC
Norman Nelson Student Union,
Jackson
May 1:
Historical SIG Meeting, TBA
May 6-12:
The Value of a Nurse–Celebration
of National Nurses Week
May 16:
Dialysis
May 21 and 22: Nurse Practitioner Workshop for
Controlled Substances, Madison
May 23:
Dialysis
June 12:
Surviving with Style
June 20:
Dialysis
June 27:
Dialysis
July 10 and 11
MNA Disaster Preparedness
Conference, Florence, Ala.
July 18:
Dialysis
July 25:
Dialysis
Aug. 3:
Historical SIG Meeting, TBA
Aug. 6 and 7:
Nurse Practitioner Workshop for
Controlled Substances, Madison
August 8:
Dialysis
August 22:
Dialysis
Oct. 20-23:
MNA Annual Convention, Tupelo
Oct. 23:
MNA Fall Nurse Practitioner
Update, Tupelo
Nov. 6:
Historical SIG Meeting, TBA
For more information, contact Myrna Lea at
[email protected] or call (601) 898-0670.
mississippi rN • page 9
MNA Board 2009
Meetings
MNF Board 2009
Meetings
The Mississippi Nurses Association Board of
Director will meet on the following dates. All
meeting are open and membership participation is
invited. See the MNA Website at
www.msnurses.org for details.
The Mississippi Nurses Foundation Board of
Trustees will meet on the following dates. All
meeting are open and membership participation is
invited. See the MNA Website at
www.msnurses.org/foundation for details.
Friday, March 13–Joint meeting with the
Mississippi Nurses Foundation Board
10 a.m., the Mississippi Center for Nursing, 31
Woodgreen Place, Madison
Friday, March 13–Joint meeting with the
Mississippi Nurses Association Board
Noon, the Mississippi Center for Nursing, 31
Woodgreen Place, Madison
Friday, May 8–Celebrating National Nurses Week
10 a.m., the Mississippi Center for Nursing, 31
Woodgreen Place, Madison
Friday, May 15
Noon, the Mississippi Center for Nursing, 31
Woodgreen Place, Madison
Friday, June 19
10 a.m., the Mississippi Center for Nursing, 31
Woodgreen Place, Madison
Friday, Aug. 14
10:00–3:00, 102 Camden Court, Madison, MS.
Rebecca Askew’s home.
Friday, Aug. 14
10 a.m., the Mississippi Center for Nursing, 31
Woodgreen Place, Madison
The December meeting will be announced.
Friday, Sept. 18
10 a.m., the Mississippi Center for Nursing, 31
Woodgreen Place, Madison
Tuesday, Oct. 20
TBA, MNA Annual Convention, Tupelo
For more information, contact Myrna Lea at
[email protected] or call (601) 898-0670.
For more information, contact Jean Jones at
[email protected] or call (601) 898-0850.
Page 10 • Mississippi RN march, april, may 2009
MNA Advanced Practice Council
Looks in the Future
The Mississippi Nurses Association Council
on Advanced Practice held a retreat Friday and
Saturday, Jan. 16 and 17 at the MNA offices in
Madison to formulate a three-year plan. Health
Policy and Strategic Development Consultant Judy
Leaviitt, R.N., M.Ed., F.A.A.N., of Barnardsville,
NC served as facilitator. “We want to collectively
create a vision for the nurse practitioner practice
in Mississippi and determine its relevance for the
next three years and develop legislative, regulatory
and media goals and an action plan through 2012,”
Leavitt said.
There were more than 25 participants in the
two-day retreat from across the state. “We looked
at ways to better communicate and to better work
together in both protecting and advancing the role
of the nurse practitioner in the state,” said Jackie
Williams, MSN, NP-C, director of the council.
The retreat was hosted by the MNA council
and meals were sponsored by Novartis, P&G
Pharmaceuticals, and Merck.
Council members, from left, Gena Vail of New
Albany, Becky and George Murphy of Lyon, and
Barbara Boss of Brandon work together during a
break-out session of the Think Tank on Promoting
Access to Care retreat, Jan. 16 and 17.
Retreat facilitator Judy Leavitt, left, posts
suggestions from participants for discussion as
Linda Watkins of Madison looks on.
From left, Phyllis Johnson of Jackson discusses
future roles of the nurse practitioner with MNA
Advanced Practice Council Director Jackie
Williams of Ridgeland.
From left, Teresa Stanford of Amory and MNA
Executive Director Ricki Garrett listen as Virginia
Cora discusses a point.
march, april, may 2009Mississippi RN • Page 11
MNA Invites Nurse Practitioners to the
2009 Annual NP Spring Convention
Make your reservation now for the 2009 Annual
Nurse Practitioners Spring Convention Friday
and Saturday, April 17 and 18 in Olive Branch at
Whispering Woods Hotel Conference Center.
Just minutes from Memphis, with 181 newly
renovated guest rooms and over 40,000 square feet
of first-class meeting space and the area’s finest
catered cuisine, Whispering Woods is set in the
midst of 175 beautifully wooded acres. “It is an
ideal place, both technologically and aesthetically,
for the NP Convention at this time of the year,”
said MNA’s Events and Continuing Education
Coordinator Angela Weathersby, “We are expecting
a good turn out for this year’s program.”
The registration fee for the NP Spring
Convention is $250 for MNA members and $400
for non-members. Active members of other state
associations will be charged the MNA member rate.
Proof of membership required.
Registration for full-time graduate students is
$195. Students must be a member of MNA and must
submit enrollment documentation of a minimum of
nine hours.
Participants who are not members of MNA
and want to join the association can save $76 by
using the Join/Register Option for $450. This price
includes registration in the NP Spring Convention
and a new full membership in MNA valued at $276.
There will be a Controlled Substance Review
Course offering 2 c/h. The $50 registration fee for
the course is in addition to the regular convention
registration.
Registrations after April 3 will be subject to a $50
late fee.
Refunds shall be granted accordingly as follows:
(a) requests must be made in writing; (b) a full
refund will be granted up to two weeks prior to
activity; (c) After April 3 and up to April 10, refunds
will be granted less a $50 processing fee; (d) no
refunds will be granted after April 10. MNA reserves
the right to cancel this activity at which time a
full refund will be given to advance-registered
participants.
For hotel reservations, please call: Whispering
Woods at (662) 890-2886 or (866) 593-6450 or log
onto: www.wwconferencecenter.com.
Reservation cut off date: March 17.
Convention Speakers and Topics
The list of speakers is growing. Here are just
some of the speakers and topics to be presented
during the Convention:
Craig Bertelsen, PT, Cert MDT, Certified Mckenzie
Spine Therapist
Topic: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
(Low Back Pain)
Jamie W. Brockman, MSN, ACNP
Topic: Basic EKG Interpretation & EKG
Interpretation: Ischemic Changes
Lisa Byrd, PhD, CFNP
Topic: Nurse Entrepreneurship
Dr. Sandor Feldman
Topic: Psychiatric
Ricki Garrett, Ph.D., MNA Executive Director
Topic: Business Etiquette
Dr. Maxey Gordon
Topic: Psychiatric
Frances Henderson, PhD
Topic: The Jackson Heart Study
Christina K. Nunnally, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Topic: STD Prevention and Treatment
Partners In Healthcare Education, LLC
Topics: Hypertension/Coronary Artery Disease
Melinda Rush, DSN, FNP, Executive Director,
MS Board of Nursing and Dr. Linda Sullivan
Topic: Board of Nursing Issues
Stacy D. Scott, MPH, LSW, Mississippi SIDS Alliance
Topic: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sponsored Breakfast Workshop: Integrated
Solutions Health Care Solutions
Whispering Woods Conference Center
11200 E. Goodman Road
Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654
(just minutes from Memphis)
For hotel reservations please call:
(662) 890-2886 or (662) 895-2941
Toll Free 1-866-851-0393
Or log onto: www.wwconferencecenter.com
Reservation cut off date: March 17, 2009
Craig Bertelsen, PT, Cert MDT,
Certified Mckenzie Spine Therapist
Topic: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
(Low Back Pain)
Jamie W. Brockman, MSN, ACNP
Topic: Basic EKG Interpretation &
EKG Interpretation: Ischemic Changes
Lisa Byrd, PhD, CFNP
Topic: Nurse Entrepreneurship
Dr. Sandor Feldman
Topic: Psychiatric
Ricki Garrett, PhD
MNA Executive Director
Topic: Business Etiquette
Dr. Maxey Gordon
Topic: Psychiatric
Frances Henderson, EdD
Topic: The Jackson Heart Study
Christina K. Nunnally, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Topic: STD Prevention and Treatment
Partners in Healthcare Education, LLC
Topics: Hypertension/Coronary Artery Disease
Melinda Rush, DSN, FNP
Executive Director, MS Board of Nursing
Topic: Board of Nursing Issues
Stacy D. Scott, MPH, LSW
Mississippi SIDS Alliance
Topic: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Dr. Steven Shapiro
Topic: Dermatology Update
Sponsored Breakfast Workshop by
Integrated Health Care Solutions
Wanda J. Keahey, PharmD, RPh, MPH
Controlled Substance Review
*A complete schedule and list of presenters with number of
CE hrs. to be included in brochure.
Page 12 • Mississippi RN march, april, may 2009
Tvarkunas Named CEO of Riley Hospital
J. Dale Armour,
President of Health
Management Associates,
Inc. (HMA) Division 4,
today announced the
promotion of Pamela
S. “Pam” Tvarkunas to
the position of chief
executive officer of Riley
Hospital.
A Meridian native,
Tvarkunas has been
affiliated with Riley
Hospital for more than
Pamela S. Tvarkunas
37 years, where she
began her career as a
student nurse. Early in her career she began serving
in leadership roles, the first of which was head
nurse in the intensive/cardiac care units in 1975.
Most recently Tvarkunas served as the hospital’s
chief operating officer to which she was promoted
in 2006, prior to which she served as director of
nursing since 1995.
She earned her associate degree in nursing from
Meridian Community College, and her bachelor’s
and master’s of science degrees in nursing from the
University of Southern Mississippi. In 2000, she was
named the Nurse Administrator of the Year by the
Mississippi Nurses Association, and was a finalist
for HMA’s 2004 Nurse Administrator of the Year
award.
Riley Hospital is one of 10 acute care hospitals
operated by HMA in Mississippi including Biloxi
Regional Medical Center, Biloxi; Central Mississippi
Medical Center, Jackson; River Oaks and Woman’s
Hospitals, Flowood; Crossgates River Oaks Hospital,
Brandon; Madison County Medical Center, Canton;
Natchez Community Hospital, Natchez; Gilmore
Memorial Regional Medical Center, Amory; and
Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in
Clarksdale. Collectively the 10 hospitals employ
more than 5,500 Mississippians with an annual
payroll of over $273 million and provide more than
$29 million in state taxes each year.
Oncology Nursing
Day 2009
Participate and
Make a Difference
Nurses Making a Difference Everyday (NMADE),
a professional membership based non-profit
organization located in Jackson, Mississippi, is
very pleased to announce the State of Mississippi’s
2nd Annual Oncology Nursing Day celebration.
Governor Haley Barbour has proclaimed May
14, 2009 as Oncology Nursing Day to honor all
healthcare workers across the State of Mississippi
who care for patients diagnosed with cancer. A
dinner will be held at The Fairview Inn in Jackson
on May 14th to celebrate this day. Reservations
are limited, so please make your plans to attend
and RSVP early. Point of contact for more
information is Donna Cherkasky, RN, MBA, OCN,
[email protected]. The Mississippi Nurse
Association Foundation is graciously supporting this
event.
Again this year, we will be compiling a book
of personal stories to share with others. Even if
you are unable to attend, your participation in this
is welcomed and encouraged. You will receive a
copy of the book whether you are able to attend
the dinner celebration or not. Please submit your
short stories describing why you chose oncology
nursing, a special story about caring for a cancer
patient, or any other related anecdote you wish to
have published. Submit the story with your name
and contact information to [email protected] or
mail it to Donna Cherkasky, PO Box 13513, Jackson,
MS 39236, by May 1st. It may be handwritten
or typed. Your contact information will only be
used to mail a copy of the booklet but will not be
published with your story.
Membership for NMADE is open to any licensed
or non-licensed healthcare worker who is interested
in joining. You do not have to be a member of
NMADE to participate in the Oncology Nursing Day
event; however, if you are interested in becoming a
member, please email [email protected] for
more information. Charter members (those who join
now) pay only $20 to join.
Member benefits include notification of
professional development opportunities including
monthly Journal Club, continuing education
announcements, and opportunities to participate
in community projects to assist in the education,
screening, and early detection programs NMADE
offers to residents of the State of Mississippi.
Red Cross
Searching for
Volunteers
The Central Mississippi Chapter of the American
Red Cross needs nurse volunteers to help staff 22
shelters in Jackson and the surrounding counties
during emergencies. Each shelter is required to have
a nurse present during day time hours. We want
to be able to open all 22 shelters (if needed) for an
initial 3-day period when a disaster occurs or is
imminent.
By our plan, you would be assigned to a shelter
and would work a total of 4-6 hours (day time)
during an emergency. We understand that other
commitments may mean that you can not always
participate. We plan to have sufficient coverage so
that you can join this effort knowing that you may
not be able to participate every time the call goes
out.
If you can join our list, please respond to this
email. More information will be sent to you shortly.
Also, please consider whether you could be a
staffing leader for one of the shelters. Thanks so
much for considering. The Jackson area continues
to be the heart of the region for serving citizens in
need.
For more information, contact Denise Gipson
at [email protected] or Sharon Lobert at
[email protected]
march, april, may 2009Mississippi RN • Page 13
Happy National
Nurses Week
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