There are a total of four positions to be filled by the 2012-2013 election: One (1) for President Elect, one (1) for Secretary 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. The President Elect candidate is Pamela Cupec.
Pamela A. Cupec, BSN, MS, RN, ONC, CRRN, ACM
Pam Cupec’s Position Statement:
The old saying is that life is a journey, but to me, that involves a relaxed pace and knowing what the end result is going to be.
I believe that life is anything but that. It is an adventure, with positives and negatives, speed bumps and steep curves, with magnificent scenery or through rocky desolate landscapes. It is through the adventure that our experiences and skills are formed, and the end results may have taken on a better quality than what we planned at the start.
The same holds true with the style of a leader. It is through living in the ever-changing landscape that one builds their own collection of skills to draw upon, and when to use what elements.
One of my strengths is the power of observation, and the ability to assess a situation from all angles. A leader must be able to walk into a situation and immediately read the nuances present, and adjust their strategies accordingly. It is the gift of being able to put into motion discussions and actions which ultimately reflect your ideals and goals, but appear to be the idea of the other party.
I am currently a case manager, and have learned the fine art of dancing a fine line between the two sometimes opposing sides, and to get all the sides to come to a mutually agreeable outcome. This includes the patient, family member, physician, and of course, the insurance company, all with the ultimate goal of maximizing the need of the patient in a reasonable time frame.
Another attribute is my ability to be flexible. I have been asked by many a manager to take over a clinical area that I was not familiar with, and instead, used it as a wonderful opportunity to challenge myself, and thereby, making the change a position of new found strength. In assuming the leadership of such an organization, one cannot be less than flexible, moving ideas ahead that are for the benefit of the members, and the organization as a whole.
The same applies to the leadership role of NAON. Using these experiences and countless others, I believe that I can be responsive to the needs of the organization, not only as a whole entity, but to the diversity of the membership. We must move forward and continue to evolve into a higher level of prominence in the community of specialty nursing. There is an abundance of talent and brilliant minds in the organization, and we must reach out and harness their energy, to make their wisdom and expertise readily available to all. We are witness to the adventures of growth in NAON.
Secretary Candidates
One (1) position is available for Secretary. You will be able to cast a single vote for one candidate. Secretary candidates are Kris Todd-Reisnour and Colleen Walsh.
Kris Todd-Reisnour, FNP, CCD, ONP-C
Kris Todd-Reisnour's Position Statement:
As a member of NAON for 18 years I have been involved with my local chapter, Advanced Practice SIG facilitator, ONCB Recertification Audit Committee and served 3 years on the National Education Committee finishing with the 2011Congress. Responding to the request of our attendees we were able to increase the number of upper level and Category A educational sessions for Congress.
As a leader for NAON, it is important to hear the membership’s wishes and find a way to implement them. We must also find ways to recruit and retain members, a difficult task we must address.
Previously I have worked as an orthopaedic RN and FNP on the floor, in the clinic, OR and ED. At present I own and operate an osteoporosis clinic. These positions have given me opportunities to collaborate with nurses and staff to suggest and make appropriate changes for patient care issues.
Currently I am finishing my second term as secretary of the North Dakota Nurse Practitioner Association. We initiated and successfully lobbied three bills through the legislative process. An amazing learning process! I also spent 18 years as a Park Board Commissioner.
I believe I have the experience and integrity to act as NAON’s next secretary and am asking for your support.
Colleen R. Walsh, DNP, RN, CS, ONP-C, ACNP-BC
Colleen Walsh’s Position Statement:
My passion for orthopaedic nursing over the past 38 years, along with my employment in various parts of the United States, makes me uniquely qualified for the executive board secretary position. I have experience as an orthopaedic floor nurse, orthopaedic NP, nurse manager, and as acute care NP faculty in charge of distance learning. I have lived and practiced in New York, Virginia, Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Massachusetts. I have served NAON in many capacities: secretary and president of the Mid-Shenandoah Chapter (VA) of NAON; the Editorial Board of the Orthopaedic Nursing Journal, author, as well as manuscript and research manuscript reviewer. I am a charter member of the NAON Speaker’s Bureau, have spoken nationally and taught the ONC review course approximately 50 times. I have consistently received outstanding evaluations from the participants in these courses.
I have been recognized as an orthopaedic nursing leader and expert in the field. I was the recipient of the NAON/AAOS Award twice (1993 & 1995), and have been the only person to have received this award twice. I have been asked to write approximately 40 book chapters, manuscripts, and provide expert witness testimony to defend orthopaedic nursing practice. I have excellent communication and technology skills. My knowledge and expertise as an editorial board member, along with my expertise in distant education, sets me apart from my peers. I have an acute awareness of details and am extremely focused and consistently adhere to guidelines and deadlines. I have a working knowledge of NAON bylaws and policies which is crucial for the secretary.
I believe I can assist NAON in moving the mission forward by promoting and showcasing the organization at local, regional, national, and international venues. There is a need to engage younger nurses in orthopaedic nursing in order to assure that there will be a continuity of experts to manage the care of orthopaedic patients in the future, and in my role as faculty in distant education, I can reach out to nurses of all ages in all geographic areas. I would appreciate your consideration as you exercise your voting privileges as a member of NAON. I would be honored to serve as NAON’s secretary.
Director Candidates
Two (2) positions are available for Director. You will be able to cast a single vote for one candidate. Director candidates are Katherine Chalflinch, Ann Bruemmer, and Barbara Levin.
Katherine Chalflinch, MSN, NE-BC
Katherine Chalflinch's Position Statement:
Having the opportunity to serve as a Director will demand passion, committment and dedication. Our members deserve nothing less from their leaders. I have held several leadership positions which qualify me for this position including President of local NAON chapter and served on our executive board for several years.
I have led the successful implementation of the Primary Stroke center designation and Hip and Knee Disease Specific certification with Joint Commission. My skills include a strong track record of execution against strategic objectives, excellent leadership and communication skills and a proven ability to plan, organize and manage hospital operations. I am results oriented and strive to lead my teams with a servant leadership approach.
Orthopaedics is my passion, I am committed to our mission and core values of integrity, collaboration, commitment, excellence and innovation are the values that I strive to display daily.
If elected, my goal will be to serve our members, be their voice nationally and encourage orthopaedic nurses to be passionate about orthopaedics and our organization. In order for our organization to flourish, we must move into the future with technology, recruit and retain new nurses to be our leaders in the future.
Click here to view Kathryn's candidate video.
Ann Bruemmer, RN, BSN, MSN, CNOR
Ann Bruemmer’s Position Statement:
I am grateful for the nurse who preceded me as ortho charge. She left a NAON journal behind. I have been Chapter president for 3 terms, treasure, and a member and chair of the education committee. I have served 2 terms on CAT and I am currently on the CH Review Committee. I have promoted NAON at work, and in the community, encouraging membership and attendance at workshops and Congress. I have worked in many positions in multiple fields. My nursing experiences in maternal heath, internal medicine, surgery, orthopaedics and the Army has taught me to think out of the box. For me, learning is a key to being happy. When learning, I am alert, aware of my surroundings, and in tune to life. Throughout my experiences and challenges, I have used many styles of leadership. I am able to size up a situation, and adapt. In doing so, I meet the situation free from emotion and use judgment based on the information presented to make decisions. I am willing to work with the board and members to improve membership and get that membership motivated. Praying that the decisions the board makes will led NAON to a brighter future.
Barbara J. Levin, BSN, RN, ONC, LNCC
Barbara Levin’s Position Statement:
Through blending my passion for orthopaedic practice with patient safety and legal issues, I have had unique opportunities and experiences throughout my career. After serving as AALNC President, I enter NAON leadership with extensive knowledge of board and management functions. I have developed standards of practice and position statements, balanced budgets, served on committees, and written strategic plans. My great vision and creativity, combined with my knowledge and skills, will assist in moving NAON forward to fulfill its mission and achieve new goals. I have been a member of NAON for many years and have a pulse on the clinical role, as I work in an orthopaedic trauma unit and teach the ONC review course across the country. With each facility I visit, there are unique ideas and best practices to be shared. I have taught several programs including clinical, patient safety, and legal topics at NAON conferences, for all of which I am widely published. I have served on a variety of national committees, and collaborating with these leaders has expanded my vision for NAON. NAON continues to be the leader of associations to promote orthopaedic nursing and research, and I want the opportunity to work together and help lead.
Click here to view Barbara's candidate video.
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