June 25, 2008
Dear Mid East Region Members,
I just returned from the WONDERFUL 40th annual WOCN Conference in Orlando. There were approximately 1700 attendees (not counting manufacturer’s representatives)…a new record. The conference theme “celebrate and reunite” was certainly apparent throughout the conference.
The Mid East Region meeting was held Saturday evening and, as usual, we had awesome attendance. Colleagues from the St. Louis and Illinois affiliates joined us, as well. First time attendees were presented with a commemorative pin. The same pin was sold at the regional booth in the exhibit hall. The MER logo was in the center of the pin, with the phrase “Mid East Region WOCN – Home of the Original ET” surrounding the logo. These pins will continue to be available in the fundraising booth at regional and national meetings until they sell out.
There were seven applicants for poster scholarship and two poster scholarship awards were presented during the meeting. Rosemary Gravelie has also stepped down as Research Committee Chair after many years of service. Thank you, Rosemary. If you would like to fill Rosemary’s shoes, please contact a member of the MER Board. We’re also looking for an Excellence in Writing Chair to replace Kelly Jaszarowski, now that she’s Treasurer.
The main conference kicked off on Sunday with a historical overview of the WOCN from the perspective of the former presidents of the society. All living former presidents shared their memories (and visions for the future), prompted by Master of Ceremonies, Mikel Gray. Although I was brought to tears many times during the session, what truly rang clear to me was how progressive WOCN is and how much future viability we have. The organization now has 4600 members…a new record.
The MER was also well-represented during the research papers presentations. During that session, it was announced that Joy Pittman received the Hollister Grant from the Center for Clinical Investigation and I received the Sage Grant (two of the four grants awarded). Joy also presented during a session regarding Ostomy Practice – Building an Evidence Base where she discussed her doctoral research.
The MER was well-represented in the poster exhibit hall. Jimmie Ault, from Indiana and I were adjacent to each other in the poster hall and had an opportunity to “celebrate and reunite” a little ourselves. There were over 200 posters accepted at this year’s conference…a new record.
There were 175 exhibitors in the exhibit hall…a new record. And, on Monday during exhibit hours, Dea Kent, myself and several MER members presented the MER Manufacturer’s Rep of the Year award to Jane Gesenhues of Hollister. Jane was nominated by two individuals. She had not been planning to attend the conference. Jane’s boss and Dea conspired to get Jane there and Hollister brought a photographer in to document the event. Jane was surprised, overwhelmed and honored. She told me later that night that, “This means more to me than anything Hollister could award me.”
Monday evening there was a celebration party at Universal Studios, sponsored by Byram, Coloplast and Hollister. There was dining and dancing, celebration and song (and I have some pictures to prove it). It was wonderful to share the company of my colleagues, many of whom I consider dear friends. And, it was wonderful to see new WOCN conference attendees getting to know members who have been with the organization 40 years.
The conference closed today with two speakers…Katherine Jeter and Rob Hill. Katherine is one of the “grand dames” from the early days of enterostomal therapy. She challenged us to “Inspire…Imagine…Initiate.” If you think it, you can do it. Set your goals down in writing and give yourself a deadline. Become what you wish to be. You draw the blueprint to your own success. Katherine plans to bicycle on the New Miami bike trail…70 miles on her 70th birthday to raise $70,000 for charity. I have no doubt she’ll succeed, because she’s already envisioned her success. If you wish to contribute to her efforts, contact her through the WOCN membership directory.
Rob Hill is the Global Ambassador for ConvaTec’s Great Comebacks program. An ostomate due to ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, Rob shared his story with the audience. A mountain climber, Rob has reached the peak of six of the seven summits across the globe (one on each continent). His goal is to reach the peak of Mt. Everest in 2010. His reflections on his journey at the close of the program reminded me why we do what we do…our patients. He called us angels and charged us to never forget the impact we have on our patients. I charge you to also never forget the impact your patients have on you.
Thank you for all you do for your patients and for each other. Thank you for lifting each other up when the days are long and hard. Thank you for the gifts you share with me. Thank you for allowing me to serve you, a member of the Mid East Region WOCN.
“Here’s to us. Who’s like us? Damn few.”
- Margaret Goldberg, WOCN Immediate Past President
Sincerely (and sleepily),
Mary Arnold Long
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