THE OJNA JOURNAL
Issue 5 | Winter 2019
THE AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION (ANA) WELCOMES THE ORTHODOX JEWISH NURSES ASSOCIATION (OJNA) AS THE LATEST ADDITION TO ITS LIST OF ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATES. full press release on page 26
Genetics
Jewish Genetic BRCA and the The Ethics of Knowing Disorders Genetics of Cancer One's Genetic Risks
Th e OJNA Journal - Page 1 Editor's Note TABLE OF OJNA LEADERSHIP Dear Members, CONTENTS: Jews are a fairly genetically isolated population. Due to the Mission: internal injunction against intermarriage and the external pressures of anti-semitism, the Jewish population has re- Th e mission of Th e OJNA Journal is to CANCER mained somewhat segregated from a genetic standpoint. • Provide timely news and research updates Th ese circumstances provide a remarkable opportunity for JEWISH GENETIC DISORDERS the study of genetic diseases, as well as the implementation page 4 • Relay evidence-based research of public health genetic initiatives and advances in the treat- ment of genetic disorders [1]. Th e Tay Sachs carrier screen- BRCA AND THE • Share OJNA news and updates ing program, which has reduced the disease by 90% in the Ashkenazi population [1], is widely considered a model for GENETICS OF CANCER page 11 Editor-in-Chief: how a successful genetic screening program can operate. THE ETHICS OF KNOWING ONE'S Chaya Milikowsky, MSN, AG-ACNP-BC Gaucher disease, also endemic to the Ashkenazi population, was the fi rst disease in which enzyme-replacement therapy GENETIC RISKS page 12 Managing Editor: was successfully utilized [1]. Even among the non-Mende- lian diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and Crohn’s dis- Sarah Bracha Cohen, MS, RN ease, where multiple genes and the environment play a part in disease expression, the Jewish genetic tapestry provides page 2 OJNA EDITORIAL MESSAGE Editorial Board: a rich environment to study the genetic underpinnings of these diseases and to develop genetically driven treatments. Tobi Ash, MBA, BSN, RN page 3 ISSUE AT A GLANCE It is no surprise then, that as Orthodox Jews, we have an Toby Bressler, PhD, RN, OCN ingrained familiarity and intimacy with our genes and ge- page 4 FEATURE ARTICLE nome. Tzippy Newman, BSN, RN page 8 RESEARCH RECAP In our role as nurses, we are uniquely positioned to bridge Yocheved Weinreb, RN, OCN the gap between genetics research and successful adoption page 16 MEMBER MILESTONES into practice [2]. Interestingly, it was not until 1998 that Board of Directors: genetics was fi rst recognized as a nursing specialty, and it page 18 OJNA EVENTS Shevi Rosner, MSN, RN-C, President was only in June 2008 that the American Association of Col- leges of Nursing developed “Th e Essentials of Genetic and page 20 NURSES TO KNOW Toby Bressler, PhD, RN, OCN, Vice President Genomic Nursing: Competencies, Curricular Guidelines, page 21 CAREERS TO CONSIDER Mara McCrossin, MSN, NP, Treasurer and Outcome Indicators” to integrate genetics and genomics education into its list of essential education for baccalaureate page 22 NURSES OF OJNA Chaya Milikowsky, MSN, AG-ACNP-BC, Secretary prepared professional nurses [3]. Because of the delayed en- RECOMMEND tree the nursing profession has taken into the fi eld of genet- All advertising is subject to the approval of OJNA. ics and genomics, nurses may have inadequate understand- page 23 JOB POSTINGS ing of the relevance genetics plays in nursing and healthcare, OJNA Mission Statement: and may be unable to apply it to their nursing practice. Yet page 24 OJNA NEWS nurses need to be competent in obtaining thorough family Th e Orthodox Jewish Nurses Association was histories to identify red fl ags and markers of genetic disor- page 26 ANA PRESS RELEASE founded in 2008 by Rivka Pomerantz, BSN, RN, ders, recognize the potential for genomics-infl uenced drug page 27 MUSINGS IBCLC. It seeks to provide a forum to discuss profes- reactions, clearly explain the results of genetic tests, and to know when to refer patients to genetic specialists [2,4]. sional issues related to Orthodox Jewish nurses and Th e medical world is swift ly moving towards personalized arrange social and educational events. We strive to medicine in which an individual’s genetic and genomic in- meet the needs of our members, promote profes- formation can help determine his susceptibility to diseases, sionalism and career advancement, and be a voice guide screening decisions, choose treatments tailored to maximize successful outcomes, and avoid adverse drug reactions. Nurses need to be at the forefront of this changing healthcare for Orthodox Jewish nurses across the world. arena. Our Jewish heritage gives us the background and our nursing practice provides the Contact us at [email protected] impetus. Join me in this exploration of genes as they interplay with medicine, history, and the future. Follow us! Best, @jewish_nurses Chaya Milikowsky, MSN, AG/ACNP-BC Orthodox Jewish Nurses Association (OJNA) Editor-in-Chief, The OJNA Journal