GPC-ONS had a terrific season in 2008-2009 with our chapter dinner meetings. Kudos to our Program Committee Chair, Cathy Bland, for organizing such great events!
Our first meeting of the year was held at the Grand Course on Sept 16th. We had more than 70 oncology nurses in attendance... including ONS National President ,Brenda Nevidjon and ONS CEO and GPC member, Paula Rieger. Pamela Kedziera from Philadelphia was our speaker regarding new treatments for "Opiod Induced Constipation". An adorable 'straw man' was awarded to a lucky chapter member in recognition of her particpation in the evening's activities. Check out pictures here!
The October 14th meeting featured June Eilers, PhD, RN who presented "Show Me the Evidence: Oncology Nursing-Sensitive Patient Outcomes". The program was sponsored by ONS with support from the ONS Foundation. The program was held at Amici's Resturant and more than 30 members participated in an interactive session designed to help oncology nurses identify symptom management issues and solutions for fatigue, dyspnea, and mucositis. Participating members received 1.2 contact hours for this program. Patti Patterson won a basket of halloween candy in recognition of her participation at the meeting. Check out pictures here!
Our November 3rd meeting was held at Gilda's Club of Western Pennsylvania in the Strip District. "Care for the Oncology Nurse Caregiver: Paying it Forward" was designed to offer oncology nurses information about restorative therapies that they could use for themselves and pass along to their patients and families. The program was supported by a chapter grant from the ONS Foundation. Approximately 30 members participated in the program and enjoyed sessions about Reiki therapy, dietary supplements, massage, and yoga. Participating members received 1.4 contact hours for this program. Several members received "take home tools" to help them share what they had learned including a yoga mat, journals, CD's, and a yoga DVD. Lisa Wilt was the winner of the Steeler Tickets for the November 20th game against the Cincinnati Bengals! Kristin Baileys's parents donated the tickets and the chapter earned nearly $400 to support GPC! Check out pictures from the meeting here!
At our February 5th meeting we celebrate the season of Valentines Day with a presentation about "Sexuality Issues of Oncology Patients" presented by Lisa Sweeney,RN, MSN; Senior Clincal Educator from GlaxoSmithKline. Approximately 30 members attended the program and learned how cancer therapy impacts the sexuality of our patients. Participating members received 1.0 contact hours for this program. Program attendees contributed to a raffle to support funds for the ONS Foundation by purchasing tickets on a Penguins Package including tickets for the March 22nd game. Sr. Diane Matje was the winner of the meeting raffle prize -- a one pound box of milk chocolates! Check out pictures from the meeting here!
Our March 19th meeting took us out to DiImperio's Resturant in Monroeville! Part of the Board's goals this year was to reach out to other parts of the city to draw members that might not have the opportunity to attend other meetings due to location. The program was planned and produced by the Oncology Nursing Society, and supported by an educational grant from Medtronic Spinal & Biologics. This is one of many chapter programs that we have been offered by the ONS national office in the past few years. "Nursing Managementof Vertebral Compression Fractures" was presented by Kena Miller, MSN, from Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Ms. Miller shared a stimulating lecture including a video demonstration of the vertbroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty procedures. Approximately 25 members attended this meeting. Participating members received 1.0 contact hours for this program. We discussed a classic article from AJN ..."The Hazards of Immobility". Many of the same concerns face our patients today... click here to re-read this classic nursing article! We also celebrated National Certified Nurses Day. A picture of the certified members that attended this meeting is located under the photo gallery for this meeting. Sandy Schaefer was the winner of the meeting raffle prize -- a large, Easter bread prepared by Chris Fennimore (yes, there is a connection here!) Gretchen Smith was the winner of the Penguins Raffle package! Thanks to all who purchased tickets. Our chapter raised more than $500 for the ONS Foundation!
The April 15th meeting was held at Allegheny General Hospital of WPAHS in the Cancer Center conference room. This program was held as a joint event with the local chapter of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Assn. and there was significant representation from both of our groups. There was a different component to the meeting as several local pharmaceutical company representatives were invited to provide educational exhibits for attendees and their presence, information availability, and support was greatly appreciated in spite of the space challenges that were encountered. The speaker for the program was Pamela Bennett, RN, BSN, who spoke on “Advocating for Yourself and Others: Making Your Voice Heard in the Pain Management Conversation.” This was a topic that well bridged the interests of both organizations and was relevant for all in attendance, especially the nursing students who joined us. Contact hours were provided for nurses through the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. In addition to the wonderful educational opportunity, the Chapter business covered included:
At our final chapter meeting for the year on May 13th, we celebrated Oncology Nursing Month with a wonderful dinner at Monterey Bay Fish Grotto on Mount Washington. Forty-eight members attended! Special recognition was offered for the outgoing GPC-ONS board and the new Board was announced and welcomed. Laura Fennimore provided an overview of chapter highlights (see the next newsletter for details). Members had the opportunity to renew membership at a reduced rate because they had attended this meeting. Several members benefitted from attending this meeting through drawings for a Congress Tote Bag, 4 copies of the latest ONS reference manual on frequently asked questions about chemotherapy, and 2 copies of the new Prostate Cancer book donated by William Hogle, editor and GPC-ONS member. Two the three students selected for the Immersion Program were in attendance and were welcomed as future oncology nurses! Applications for mentors for this program are still being reviewed. Members thoroughly enjoyed a terrific program "Laugh for the Health of It" offered by Hedda Matza Haughton. Check out pictures here. Participating members received 1.25 contact hours for this program.
Come join us in September for our next meeting! You'll find that there is LOT in it for you!
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