The Mississippi RN MISSISSIPPI NURSES ASSOCIATION
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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. 70, No. 1 Spring 2008 Vol. 69, No. 3 Nurses Receive Honors at Fall 2007 ‘08 Nightingale Gala Inside A record turnout attended the fourth annual the fourth annual black-tie event that recorded more Mississippi Nurses Association’s and Foundation’s than 600 in attendance. 2008 Nightingale Awards Gala on Feb. 4, in the “The Nightingale Awards distinguish those men, Marriott Hotel Downtown, Jackson. The annual women and organizations that have made a special Nightingale Awards is the “academy award” effort to excel in the area of healthcare,” said Ricki honoring exceptional service in the nursing and Garrett, executive director of the Mississippi Nurses healthcare industry across Mississippi. Association, co-host of the event. “This year more Syndicated political columnist and The Clarion than 70 nurses, nurse educators, administrators and Ledger Perspective Editor Sid Salter was emcee of healthcare facilities were nominated for statewide honors.” Winners for 2008: Task Force Turns Attention to Economics • Jennifer Brooke Edwards, University of • Karen George, North Mississippi Medical Mississippi Health Care—Nurse Rookie of the Center—Nursing Administrator of the Year; The Council on Collegiate Education for Year; • Deaconess HomeCare—Nurse Employer of the Nursing’s 2007 report identifies an economic • Paula Brown, North Mississippi Medical Year; incentive for states in resolving the nationwide Center—Nurse Mentor of the Year; • Baptist Memorial Hospital, Union County— nursing shortage in one simple sentence. More • Tonya Moore, University of Mississippi Medical Hospital of the Year (Less than 100 Beds) registered nurses mean more revenue. Center—Nurse in Non-Traditional Setting of • University of Mississippi Health Care— Page 6 the Year; Hospital of the Year (100 Beds or More); • Sanjosa Martin, Mississippi Baptist Medical • Leigh-Anne Scroggins, North Mississippi Center—Nurse Researcher of the Year; Medical Center—Clinical Practice Nurse of the • Judy Baker, Jones County Junior College and Year; Rebecca Tustain, Hinds Community College— • Lisa Marie Byrd, Byrd Healthcare, LLC and Nursing Educators of the Year; the Bolton Family Clinic—Advanced Practice • Kaye Bender, University of Mississippi Medical Nurse of the Year; Center—School of Nursing Administrator of • Debrynda Davey University of Mississippi the Year; Medical Center—Community Service Nurse of • Northeast Mississippi Community College— the Year; and, School of Nursing of the Year; • Pamela Gail Hodges, North Mississippi Medical Center—Nurse of the Year. MNA Hall of Fame Gains ‘08 Summit Attracts State Leaders Three New Members A record turn out in excess of 1,400 student nurses and nursing professionals at the 2008 One of the highlights of the annual Nightingale Waits, retired from the University Medical Center. Nursing Summit attracted a strong showing of Awards is the announcement of new members of “The five nominees this year are each deserving legislators and statewide leaders. the Mississippi Nurses Association Hall of Fame. of the honor of induction into the Hall of Fame. Page 4 The MNA Hall of Fame award recognizes a I know it was a difficult decision to make. New registered nurse’s life-long commitment to the inductees are Mary Pat Curtis, Mary Sprayberry and profession of nursing and their commitment to Mary Stainton,” Farris said. make an impact on the health and or social history A quote from Mary of the state of Mississippi. That impact, which lasts Pat Curtis’ nomination Join MNA Now! beyond the nurse’s employment, or even his or her packet read, “Dr. Curtis lifetime, is what merits the Hall of Fame. has worked tirelessly and Each year, MNA is allowed to induct up to three successfully for nominees into its Hall of Fame. “We have five nursing in the state Presort Standard excellent nurses who have been nominated for this and in the nation. US Postage career-culminating award,” said MNA President Pam She was a master PAID Farris. “Each one of them has contributed to the teacher for 23 Permit #14 betterment of health care in Mississippi, and is a years at Mississippi Princeton, MN credit to the nursing profession.” University for 55371 Nominees for the MNA 2008 Hall of Fame Award Women in the were Laverne Barnes, retired from Mississippi classroom and Baptist Health Systems; Willetta Cahill, retired from clinical arenas. She the Mississippi Department of Health; Mary Pat always went the Curtis, retired, Mississippi University for Women Mary Pat Curtis extra mile with School of Nursing; Mary Sprayberry, retired her students and school nurse; Mary E. Stainton, retired, Deaconess compassionately worked with them. She was HomeCare; Minta Uzodinma, retired from the Mississippi Department of Health; and, Jeannette Continued on Page 7 Page 2—Mississippi RN—March, April, May 2008 Executive Director’s Column Board of Directors The past year has been one of growth and 46,000 nurses can have. It is change for the Mississippi Nurses Association. also a wonderful opportunity President Although change is not always easy, it is a necessity for our state legislators and Pam Farris, RN, BSN, OCN in today’s fast paced world. In order to move ahead other leaders to hear about [email protected] with new initiatives and to keep ahead of changing the issues that nurses care Vice President technology, a changing workforce, and greater about. Carl Mangum, RN, MSN, PhD(c), CHS, FF demands on our association, it is important to have The Nightingale Awards [email protected] an organization and a staff that can meet those on February 4 highlighted demands. the incredible work and Secretary Treasurer As you know, Charlotte Cockrell, the long time outstanding accomplishments Linda Todd, RN, BS, MS Donna Williams, RN, MSN executive director of our foundation is moving to of our state nurses and those [email protected] [email protected] Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband, and who support them. We want Ricki Garrett Directors Kay Wise, the long time events planner for MNA has to thank our many sponsors Council on Nursing Education gone to work for another association. However, we and participants for helping to make this event the Marilyn Ellis, NP are very fortunate to have Angela Weathersby as our success it has been for the past three years. Rarely [email protected] new events and continuing education coordinator, do nurses celebrate their own accomplishments and Council on Health Affairs and a search will begin soon for a new executive the many contributions they make to the health of Bess Blackwell, RN, MSN, CNA, BC director of the foundation. our citizens. This event is a way for us to recognize [email protected] This is an extremely busy time for our colleagues and for others in our state to recognize association with back to back events in the early nurses. Council on Organizational Affairs part of the year. The Statewide Nursing Summit, We hope that you are enjoying new Ann Barnes, BSN, RN held on January 29 boasted an attendance of 1,400 communications from the Mississippi Nurses [email protected] nurses and nursing students and 56 exhibitors. The Association. Blast e-mails are going out to our Summit is an excellent way to make nurses and members who have provided their e-mail address Council on Nursing Research Laura Schenk, PhD, RN, CNNP students aware of the importance of being involved to us with current information, notices of meetings, [email protected] politically and exercising the clout that almost highlights of events and other information. Please send us your e-mail address if we don’t already Council on Nursing Practice have it, so that you don’t miss the up to date news Tearsanee Carlisle, RN, BSN, OCN, NP from your association. [email protected] We have an ambitious agenda for this year’s Council on Advanced Practice legislative session. In collaboration with the Jackie Williams, MSN, NP-C Mississippi Hospital Association, the Office of [email protected] Nursing Workforce, the Deans and Director’s MNA Staff Council, the Mississippi Healthcare Association and Executive Director Lobbyist our Faculty Shortage Task Force, we are pursuing a Ricki Garrett Betty Dickson number of legislative goals. They include: • Funding for one additional faculty member at Finance Administrator/ Marketing/Communications each school of nursing that wants to expand Membership Coordinator Director and has the capability of expanding Deborah Norman Betty Ruth Hawkins • Planning funds to develop a statewide plan to District Presidents provide regional simulation labs for training DNA 1 Debra McDonough DNA 16 Maxine Puckett at the schools of nursing and hospitals in the DNA 2 Melinda Sills DNA 18 Betsy Copeland state DNA 5 Deborah Mauffray DNA 21 Florence Jones • Funding for the dual enrollment high school/ DNA 6 Terri Gore DNA 23 Michelle (Mimi) community college LPN program that provides DNA 7 Michelle Williams Pixley students with the opportunity to complete DNA 8 Donna Scoggin DNA 25 Mary Walden high school with the preparation needed to DNA 11 Joyce Keen DNA 28 Lisa Vincent become a certified LPN DNA 12 Debbie Hoover DNA 31 Jodi Russell • Funding to increase the number of school DNA 13 Tonya Moore DNA 32 Jennie Gallagher DNA 15 Juanita Graham nurses and to remove the cap that limits the number of school nurses who can receive the Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval additional pay for national certification by the Mississippi Nurses Association of products advertised, the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does • Support for the tobacco tax not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or I hope all nurses will get to know their legislative that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association dis- approves of the product or its use.