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| MidEast Region Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society
History of the MidEast Region
A group of five Enterostomal Therapists (E.T.’s) began working in 1974 to form regions within The International Association for Enterostomal Therapy (IAET). Their hope was to facilitate better and closer relations with practicing E.T.’s. One of their objectives was to establish a source of professional and individual growth. Nine regions were formed geographically to correspond with the UOA regions. The new MidEast Region would include Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The first meeting of the MidEast Region was on April 5,6, 1975 at the Great Lakes U.O.A. - ET Regional Conference in Indianapolis. There were 67 attendees. Nominations for officers were received and Articles of Association were written. Plans were made for application to IAET to officially become a region.
This newly formed group of determined E.T.’s joined together and quickly completed the requirements for regionalization. They were first to complete the national qualifications and proudly accepted their new title. On August 21, 1975 the IAET welcomed the MidEast Region into affiliation at the IAET National Conference in Toronto, Canada. In October a letter was received from Bonnie Bolinger, IAET Corresponding Secretary. She wrote, ”It was a very proud moment when we could announce that our very own region was the first to meet the criteria”. She challenged the new members to work together, support, and constantly strive for better patient care.
Many talented dedicated members have volunteered their time as officers of the board over the years. Their efforts and accomplishments are strongly rooted along with the founding officers and trustees listed below.
The first officers were:
President Elizabeth C. Gerth RN. Cincinnati, Ohio
Vice president Joan Kerr RN Cleveland, Ohio
Secretary Sally Thompson Akron, OH
Treasurer K. Jane Younger Louisville, Kentucky
The first Trustees were:
Susan Buffin LPN
Bette Lowe RN
Louise Young RN
The first membership directory of 97 members was published in August 1975. Betty Lowe began working on the first newsletter, which was published in April 1976. Mary Lou Castillo named it The Mid-Eas Dropper that same year.
In 1976 it was felt that the region was geographically too large to be effective for its members. IAET announced that Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia would no longer be included in the MidEast region. Since then the MidEast Region has included members from the five states of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Throughout the years to follow the MidEast Region planned conferences, designed recognition programs, and provided scholarships. But most important of all they supported each other personally and professionally for the purpose of improving the care they provided to their cherished patients.
Past Presidents
Betty Gerth August 1975 - 1976
Joan Kerr August 1976 - 1977
Betty Gerth August 1977 - 1978
Helen Arend October 1978 - 1979
Joyce Hawley October 1979 - 1982
Sally Gill-Thompson October 1982 - 1984
Ethel Pryer October 1984 - 1986
Shirley Alltop October 1986 - 1988
Karen Granby October 1988 - 1990
Brenda Kerschbaum October 1990 - 1991
Joy Cline September 1991 - 1994
Paula Toth October 1994 - 1995
Sharon Ballard-Krishnan October 1995 - 1998
Judy Werner October 1998 – 2000
Allyn Davies 2000-2002
Terri Ross 2002-2004
Carolyn Smith 2004-2006
Mary Arnold Long 2006-2008
Dea Kent 2008-present
Compiled May 2001 by Terri Ross RN, MSN, CNS, CWOCN
Updated October 2006, December 2008
Terri Ross RN, MSN, CNS, CWOCN
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