TPHA Nursing Section Meeting

Date: 09-03-09

Place: The TPHA Nursing Section held their annual business meeting at 7:45am at the Marriott-Cool Springs, Franklin, TN during the TPHA Annual Meeting.

Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Tammy Mansfield, Section Chair

Invocation: Made by Kathy Shearon

Introduction of Dr. Easley by Deborah Hardin.

Human Rights and Health Disparities by Dr. Cheryl Easley, President of APHA

 I started out as a public health nurse and still tell people as I speak that I am a public health nurse and my perspectives are those of a public health nurse.

 I went to Alaska to visit my twin sister (she was past president of American Public Health Association). Alaska has its health summit the first week of December yearly. It was beautiful! The sky was clear. I saw moose and took a trip down to Resurrection Bay. My last night there I was invited to a dinner of public health nurses who lived there. Itinerant public health nurses fly around to take care of people because most of the state has no roads. Travel by air or water is about the only way you can get to people. Nurses told wonderful stories about their hair being froze to a wall, moose and rolling down hills.

 I have heard about the Tennessee nursing history project and it is so nice. I did my dissertation on the history of public health nursing. History has changed over the years. Our thoughts have changed about care as well. Darwin changed the nature of how we thought about religion. Social Darwinism was a survival of the fittest. Everyone deserved whatever they got.

 Immigrants that came in the 1890’s were poor. At the same time people were moving from farms to factories and the list of health problems grew. Child labor sweat shops became the norm and public heath nursing grew up in that context and took care of things. Public health nurses were working in milk stations, factories, insurance companies, etc. Then there was Lillian Wald – she helped change child labor laws and first contacted public health nurses to a public health clinic (founder of the Henry Street Visiting Nurse Service). She was also responsible for the instruction of nurses in the public schools.

 Progressive Era – public health nurse is highly relevant to what happens in the community.

 We have had tremendous cuts and public health nurses are still out there. Hopefully, in spite of all the stresses, public health nursing will continue. Legislation is going through now for nurses to go see new mothers and babies in their homes. Especially those high risk and low income. We know the efficacy of nursing “home” visits and we can push forward for all patients to receive care not just new mothers.

 Issues we face today are great and we still don’t know what will come out of health care reform. One surety we have was laid down 65 years ago. We have an aging population. Largest we have ever seen. The demands that this will place on health care will be tremendous. My home state, Alaska, has the second highest aging population in the US.

 One of our biggest issues is we don’t see that we have a very good statewide plan. We have so many public health nurses and so many things we can contribute.

 Keep reminding people we are out there !!!!

Upper Cumberland Strike Team: Kentucky Ice Storm Deployment by Karen Lynn  Kentucky Ice Storm – Jan 27,2009 o Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, 91 declared a state of emergency

o Sit-rep report on Feb 1 (almost a week after) stated that:

1) 192 shelters were open and residents were increasing

2) 64 water systems were down

3) 205,000 people were still without power

o Sit-rep report on Feb 5 stated that:

1) Estimated power outages-95,580 2) 155 shelters open with approx 4000 residents

3) 29 confirmed deaths

4) 7 nursing homes still on generator power

 Tennessee Nursing Strike Team

o Notification on Sunday (Feb 1) of possible EMAC deployment

o Team of 4- 3 regional nurses and 1 local health nurse

o Permission from motor pool to take state van

o Prepared to leave on Monday, but deployed Tuesday morning (Feb 3)

 Assignments in the shelters

o Vital signs

o Surveillance

o Assessments for referrals

o Teaching food and chain saw safety

o Monitoring residents as needed

 Health Issues in the Shelters

o Communicable diseases-respiratory illnesses, possible varicella, possible flu, several cases of GI illness that had to be segregated, scabies

o Mental health issues, such as suicide attempts

o MRE’s with peanut butter that had been recalled

o People returning home needed information about food safety, carbon monoxide poisoning, chain saw safety

 Teams Deployed to Kentucky

o Utility workers from several states

o EMS strike teams from TN o Environmental strike team from AL and MS

o Special Medical Needs Teams from AL

o Medical Assistance Team to run an ER from NC

 Lessons Learned

1) Take a variety of clothing. Bottled water and snacks were helpful

2) Be prepared to split up and perhaps work with people from other states

3) Make flashlights part of your jump kit

4) Take GPS, if available

5) Be prepared to feel connected and good about what you are doing!

Flexibility is key!

Nursing History Update by Deborah Hardin, Joan Carter & Janis Endsley o 1910-1960 nursing history book is already out.

o Now it is time for us to start a new book covering the public health nursing history over the last 50 years (1960-2010).

o D. Hardin has recruited Joanna Carter (retired public health nursing supervisor from South Central) and Janis Endsley (who worked with Ms. Hardin).

o Both met with Ms. Hardin and they have begun working on the project.

o Begin now thinking of your history and the activities you were doing “way back then”.

o This group will be getting with us and if we have ideas please let them know. ****Ms. Hardin introduced a visitor to our meeting -Juanita Graham, RN, MSN from Mississippi State Department of Health stating “She is a dear friend and will be providing 2 workshops for us today”.

Nursing Section Business Meeting: 1) Approval of Minutes – Mickey Harchis

a. Minutes from the August 28, 2008 Annual Meeting were read and put up for approval.

b. Dana Garrett motioned the minutes be passes as written and Kaye Ball second the motion. All were in favor.

c. Minutes were approved and will stand as written.

2) Resolutions – Sheila McCloskey

a. During our meeting each year, a resolution is submitted for those who have died or retired. Resolutions report handed out to all present

b. Sheila read the list of people allowed and resolution was passed as submitted.

3) Treasurer’s report – Jennifer Johnson

a. As of August 16, 2009 the Nursing Section has

i. $3225.76 in Checking **

ii.$7458.97 in Savings **

** Expenses not included in this amount are those associated with our yearly meeting expenses (awards - $300, ballot mailings, copies made for section meeting and the yearly donation to the scholarship fund based on final number of nursing section members estimated at $650)

b. We have 259 members now (down by 29 members from last year) 4) Bylaws

a. Only every 2 years are the bylaws reviewed so no review this year.

5) Presentation of Awards – Lynelle Callender

a. Award for Excellence in Nursing Administration, Supervision and Management presented to Cynthia “Cindy” Fogg Eslick. She has dedicated herself to the public health profession for over 15 years as a public health nurse and the last 2 years of those years as a supervisor for two counties. A servant to mankind, she has always taken her job on as a mission of sorts. One as public health servant (of which we all are) we’re sent to help those who are less able to help themselves. She has been known to call and seek out our elderly to remind them of the flu shots and that flu clinic will be coming soon. She can also sit in a room full of children, keep them occupied while their mother receives her annual pap smear. She is well liked in the community so much to the point that people feel comfortable enough to walk up to her on the street and ask questions about their or their children’s health. She volunteers her spare time for any and all things that need a nurse in order to function. Not because she expects accolades or praise. It’s simply the way this woman is made-giving of herself until sometimes there is nothing left. The main reason she was nominated for this award is because her very heart belongs to public health. She holds a variety of memberships one of them being the Tennessee Public Health Association, the Tennessee Nurses Association, Farm Bureau Association, Red Cross blood drive and the American Heart Association.

b. Award for Direct Services presented to Cynthia “Renee” Demonbreum ANP. A nurse practitioner at the Rutherford County Health Department for 15 years. During her time with the health department she has become a vital part of her team. Recognizing a need, she attended colposcopy school and trained under a local MD to learn as much as she could about colposcopy. She was one of the first nurse practitioners to offer this service in her region. Prior to obtaining this skill patients would drive as far as two hours to the nearest clinic for a follow up. Not only has she been able to offer this service but she has become an expert in the area. Private practice offices often call her for advice as well as other health departments. She has been very instrumental in helping to write the state wide protocol for this procedure and trained other nurse practitioners how to offer this service for their patients. While the numbers and statistics are not known at this time this nurse practitioner has literally impacted hundreds of women’s lives as precancerous cells will not have a chance to become cancer due to her patient care and dedication. Since the budget for travel for out of state travel for continuing education has all of about dried up this nurse practitioner has spent thousands of dollars of her own money to complete her certifications and kept her training up to date. A tireless worker, she enjoys working with student nurses and advanced practice nurses as well. She teaches and lectures on prenatal care and colposcopy at several local nursing schools (free of charge). She is also the preceptor for hundreds of nursing students and advanced practice nurses which will inadvertently shape the future of the field of nursing. Giving it her all she now stands as a certified diabetic educator too a feat that takes hundreds of hours to achieve. She is now considered the expert in the case management of diabetic patients and works closely with them and the diabetes team and medical doctor as they service a huge diabetic population in Rutherford County. Oh and did I mention she is a Lt. Colonel in the United States Air Force National Guard and works as a nurse to our soldiers performing everything from triage care to flying fighter jets, testing water and restaurant inspection, holding flu clinics and dispensing needed vaccinations. She has served in many active duty areas including a tour in Iraq during Desert Storm. c. Award for Nursing Assistants presented to Tina Barger, CNA - She is from Cheatham county health department and provides back up nursing assistance to the Robertson county clinic. She’s been with the state of TN for 3 years and has always had an eye for efficiency and organization. She serves as the local breastfeeding advocate for Cheatham County. She is also a valuable asset in the implementation of a follow up program for diabetic patients. Being a dedicated person to patients and co-workers alike, she maintains and attitude of excellence. At one point, the Cheatham County Health Department was without a nursing supervisor for a brief time and this nursing assistant took the initiative to ensure that the clinic remained complaint with all guidelines and kept a constant flow of up to date information for the staff as well. Having been a WIC recipient at one point in her life, she states that she enjoys what she does as it allows her to give back to the public health community by helping others the way she was helped. A mother, nursing assistant and a servant to humanity.

6) Presentation of Scholarships – Dana Garrett  History of the Scholarships given by the Nursing Section of TPHA  The understanding is there is a separate CD account that perpetuates our “scholarship fund”. This fund was monitored by Diana Richardson until she retired. Deborah Hardin is now doing Diana’s duties in regards to the CD monitoring. Scholarship report (10-2008 to 8-2009) handed out to all present.  This CD was originally started by Barbara C. Morgan. In 1994, the first Barbara C. Morgan Nursing Scholarship was awarded to Edna Ruth Letiherland from West TN. The Scholarship is therefore now known as the “Barbara C. Morgan Scholarship Fund” because of her work to spear head the idea of offering nurses a chance to earn scholarships through this organization. Beginning in 1989, the public health nurses across the state submitted recipes to be compiled into a cookbook which was sold with the proceeds going to the scholarship fund. The money was invested into a CD and continues to earn money for us today. Also note that ¼ of our nursing section dues and all other monies donated to the “scholarship fund” go into the CD. Note: Anyone can donate to this fund “in the honor of……..”, etc.  The amount given for this scholarship is $1500.00 yearly. This amount can be split up however the scholarship committee sees fit depending on applicant needs, etc.  This year Mr. John Owens has donated $1000.00 in honor of his wife Linda Owens and this will be given as a scholarship this year.  Last year the board voted to sponsor a 1 time scholarship in honor of Commissioner Susan Cooper. This money came out of our treasury dollars NOT the scholarship fund. The board has once again agreed to sponsor a one time scholarship in honor of Jewel Shipley for her 42 years of exemplary service to nursing and public health. This $500.00 scholarship will be given out of the treasury monies.  This year the scholarships to be given will be as follows: 1) Barbara C. Morgan for $1500.00 – Cynthia Sayler, RN general clinic nurse in Greene County Health Department. Working on her RN to BSN degree. 2) Linda Owens for $1000.00 to Ashley Alexander, Director of Mid- Cumberland Region HIV clinic working to complete her Master’s Degree in Public Health. 3) One time in honor of Jewel Shipley for $500.00 – Tammy Mansfield, QI Mid-Cumberland Region working on her BSN degree.

7) Presentation of new officers – DeSha Anschuetz

a. Chair Elect – Lynelle Callender

b. Vice Chair Elect – Judy Michael

c. Vice Chair – Sheila McCloskey

d. Secretary Re-Elect– Mickey Harchis

e. Treasurer Re-Elect– Jennifer Johnson

f. Board Representative Elect– Kathy Shearon

8) Passing the gavel – Tammy Mansfield

 Tammy Mansfield introduced DeSha Anschuetz as the incoming Chair for 2010. The gavel was passed to DeSha Anschuetz and the meeting was adjourned by DeSha Anschuetz.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mickey Harchis, RN

TPHA Nursing Section Secretary and

Nursing Supervisor for Loudon County Health Department