There are a total of four positions to be filled by the 2010-2011 election:  One (1) for President Elect, one (1) for Treasurer, and two (2) for Director.

President Elect Candidates

One (1) position is available for President Elect.  You will be able to cast a single vote for one candidate.  President Elect candidates are Mary Jo Satusky and Pamela Cupec.

Mary Jo Satusky, BSN, RN, ONC, CCRC 

Mary Jo Satusky’s Position Statement:
We live in challenging times. Patients are older, sicker; resources, monetary and human, are scarcer. My experience as Director on the Executive Board of NAON taught me the value of innovation when addressing challenges. One of NAON’s greatest assets is our diversity, recognizing that each individual brings a different viewpoint. As President-Elect, I will embrace that asset to facilitate win-win opportunities through collaboration.

During my four years as a Southeast Representative on the Chapter Advisory Team, I connected with chapter presidents, coaching them in chapter challenges and celebrating their successes. Communicating expectations was vital to that role.

As an active member of the Atlanta Chapter, I served as Chair of our annual chapter workshop, putting my organization and time-management skills to the test. Collaboration with committee members was key to producing a successful educational experience.

I found my niche in orthopaedic nursing fourteen years ago. With that, I truly became a professional and my passion for orthopaedic nursing took root and grew. I proudly joined the ranks of the ONC. I share NAON’s commitment to excellence in education, research, and evidence-based practice. We do live in challenging times, but together we can rise to the challenge and make a difference.

Pamela A. Cupec, BSN, RN, MS, ONC, CRRN

Pam Cupec’s Position Statement:
The other day I was on my way to an appointment. The normal route was going to be a nightmare with rush hour traffic and the start of construction season lane closings. So I decided to go another way, a more scenic route to get to my destination.  However, I decided to be spontaneous and try a new direction, one that was not that familiar, but the day was gorgeous and I wanted to go off the beaten path.

Needless to say, there were a few turns I could not remember, and I found myself not in the tried and true path, but in a new territory. I did not panic, but started to enjoy the drive, with the fields awash with brilliant colors of the budding trees and blossoms, things missed when flying on the highway.  Sure enough, I came into an intersection that I recognized, and lo and behold, came to a new point in my destination.

The same is with my style of leadership. The qualities of my leadership come from the various roles and positions I have held in my professional career. For example, when I was a program director for the orthopedic program, I was responsible for the development and execution of strategic plans. As a unit director, we moved to an expanded new unit and led by example and hard work. Currently, as a case manager, I flex my skills at negotiating with insurance companies, listening to families in crisis, and pulling other disciplines into a cohesive group.

We are lulled into the tried and true, the most direct path to get to point A from point B, but may miss some sights on the way, and the other opportunities not yet explored. We know that the main route is there, but why not try a different approach to solve the same problem?

As a leader, one must be responsive to the needs of the organization, and continually assess areas of opportunity. Organizations today are constantly changing and adapting to meet the needs of the members. Especially in these times of financial crisis, we must nurture, challenge, and continually develop in order to survive. As such, the leader bears the responsibility to take the organization, embrace it, and expose it to opportunities for expansion. It is the knowing when to apply various styles of leadership to the presenting occasion in order to move the organization in the correct direction. It is in knowing when to get off the highway and look for alternative routes that get to the same end point.

Using these experiences and countless others will aid me in the role of President-Elect in NAON. As a leader, one must be responsive to the needs of not only the organization as a whole, but to the diversity of the membership. I intend to create a NAON responsible and responsive to the needs of the members and to earn a higher level of prominence in the community of specialty nursing organizations.

Treasurer Candidates

One (1) position is available for Treasurer.  You will be able to cast a single vote for one candidate.  Treasurer candidates are Julie Twiss and Simplicia Sanvincente.

Julie Twiss, RN, BSN, ONC

Julie Twiss’ Position Statement:
Currently as a nurse manager I provide leadership and supervision of daily operations for ortho/trauma care for adults and pediatrics and acute withdrawal patients. 
Fiscal leadership skills include developing a capital and operational budget, timely submission and operating yearly within that budget.  Managing human resources poses the biggest challenge with emphasis on staff retention.  Engaging the staff personally and professionally is vital. 

Not only do nurses need the equipment at the bedside but also tools to ensure competency and provide quality care with knowledge, skill, experience, and strong working relationships with other departments. 

I have valued the relationship with NAON to assist with opportunities required for leadership development, knowledge, contacts for networking and support, and professional growth.  I served on CAT for 5 years and served as CAT chair for 2.  I have had the opportunity to speak for breakout sessions at NAON Congress, serve as SIG facilitator, and serve my local chapter as President. 

Working along side members, not expecting someone else to do something I wouldn’t do, listening to members, and communicating information so that staff and members feel informed and empowered to fulfill their roles is necessary for success.  Thank you for considering me as your treasurer.

Simplicia N. Sanvincente, BSN, RN

Simplicia Sanvincente’s Position Statement:
Plan, organize and follow through. These are three steps I have always used to accomplish a purpose. My nursing experience is Operating Room and was the Orthopaedic Specialty Coordinator for eighteen years. I took charge position for the whole OR for a while and had to do both jobs. NAON is a very unique and diversified organization and unknown in my part of the state of Connecticut until June 1996 when our small group of nurses formed Chapter #191. We were all very strong in Orthopaedics at work and our area was ideal for our chapter’s activities. I was able to carry the mission of NAON at work and outside. From Chapter President to Education Chair to Specialty Coordinator I promoted NAON’s visibility in the southwestern part of the state through educational offerings and networking. A lot of hard work went with our chapter’s goal of education through my leadership extending it to the whole of New England and the tri state area and my professional commitment to NAON made that all possible with a lot of support from my chapter, our orthopaedic surgeons and corporate support and I hope to extend it even further if I am in a more visible position in NAON. 

 

Director Candidates

Two (2) positions are available for Director.  You will be able to cast up to two votes, however you may not vote twice for the same candidate.  Director candidates are Beverly Morris and Ray Kleposki.

Beverly A. Morris, RN, CNP, MBA 

Beverly Morris’ Position Statement:
Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for the role of Director within NAON.  Just as the musculoskeletal system provides form, stability and movement to the human body, I adopt a distinctive blend of leadership, strategic thinking and stewardship to the orthopaedic nursing community and profession. 

The collaboration of my professional, educational and personal experiences supply many leadership tools to my professional toolbox.  First and foremost, I am a nurse with the passion and commitment to provide quality care for patients.  I am a nurse educator, sharing new research and best practices through seminars, presentations and publications.  I am also well educated as a nurse practitioner, and include an MBA within my toolbox.  I am an effective communicator with peers, colleagues, patients and the medical community as an author and implementer of patient education programs.  I am a creative, forward thinker, utilizing the talented resources of my colleagues, peer-reviewed research and networking opportunities with other medical and business professionals. I am a mother of three and a grandmother of a newborn, 3, 4 & 6 year old, a life-long friend to many and a nurse to all of them.  I also have been well tutored in the accountability of the professional nurse.

My diverse experiences as a professional, educator, manager and nurse allow me to draw upon various resources when empowering and enhancing NAON’s vision.  My leadership style involves taking a proactive approach to problem-solving, solution building, project development and visionary goals. I prefer to gather information, insight and opinions as well as review reports, documents and facts when aligning and expanding set goals, tasks and mission statements which may include taking a calculated risk.  I value the opinions of others, including recommendations, suggestions and feedback as an effective practice for the common goal of nursing, its profession and NAON’s visionary goals.

Raymond Walter Kleposki III, MSN, CPNP

 Ray Kleposki’s Position Statement:
Since I have started my career in nursing I have always been looking for the next “dare-to-be-great” challenge. First and foremost, I feel I possess the motivation and energy to be an excellent national director in NAON.

I came from quite humble, inner-city beginnings, an area where most barely graduate high school and I had a vision to do better, and with that I have achieved a good deal. I am the director of the mid-level providers in my practice, I am the current president of POPS, I am obtaining my MBA, and I still feel as though I have the energy, motivation, and dedication to serve as a leader in NAON.

I pride myself in being very organized and time-managed. In addition, I set deadlines often for myself and others around me and constantly perform “self-quality assurance” to make sure I am getting things done in an effective, expedient manner.
I think I would bring a new face and a fresh look to the national board of NAON. Over the past year I have focused on “infusing enthusiasm” in POPS (of which currently I am president) and I have turned the dedication of the group towards a common goal of greatness and service.

So, if I were to answer how I could further forward NAON’s mission and vision, I would have to say that I have the ability to virally spread enthusiasm to those around me, I believe hard work is infectious, one only needs to see I am dedicated and they tend to follow suite.