2011 Biennial Convention
Omicron Delta was busy at the 2011 Biennial Convention in Grapevine, TX! The Board of Directors held their annual Board meeting and the chapter hosted one of the pre-conference offerings on October 28, 2011.
PRE-CONFERENCE
The pre-conference was titled, Forever Contemporary: Florence Nightingale in the 21st Century. Dr. Louise Selanders was the featured speaker for the half-day event as she shared with the group an overview of Nightingale's philosophical foundations for nursing and relevance to the future of nursing. A summary of the event and information on the service activity associated with the event are presented on the event homepage.
CONVENTION AND CHAPTER AWARDS
The chapter delegates, Angie Strawn and Antoinette Dziedzic, were able to attend many informative sessions during the convention and were on hand when the chapter was awarded their third Chapter Key Award. Other awards given to the chapter during the convention included the Showcase for Regional Excellence award for Creating Welcoming Environments.
Another very special event, attended by our delegates, was when our chapter President, Pam Fuller, was awarded the Melanie C. Dreher award for Excellence in Chapter Support. Below is a picture of Dr. Fuller as she accepted her award and she has provided for us some thoughts regarding this outstanding accomplishment.
Melanie C. Dreher Award
(pictured: Antoinette Dziedzic, Louise Selanders, Pam Fuller, Angie Strawn and Marilyn Klakovich)
I was extremely proud and honored to walk across the stage today, October 31, 2011 to accept the Melanie C. Dreher award at the 41st Biennial STTI Convention in Grapevine, Texas. The Dreher award is given to an "Outstanding Dean" who shows support for chapter success.
Omicron Delta sponsored the Plenary Session on Monday, October 31. It was an outstanding presentation. Kim Bouldin-Jones, Founder and Executive Director of Medical Facilities Aid and KBJ Consulting, Inc. described the health conditions of a local hospital in Ethiopia. My heart bled, and my sense of reality was shocked. I admit to my naiveté, having been raised in the US. Hearing an inside perspective on the health conditions in this African village was powerful and moving. Shouldn't we, members of Omicron Delta, be more aware, more sensitive, and more giving to those who do not even have clean water to use in patient care?
I ask each one of you who are reading this message to go to www.medicalficilityaid.org and read this story. I think it will move you as much as it did me. My role as dean and current president of Omicron Delta are synergetic. The chapter and the college have a huge opportunity to affect the lives of hundreds of individuals and communities. Omicron Delta members are located across the nation as well as the world, as are the University faculty, students, and alumni. Between the two groups we are approximately 18,000 nurses strong! Imagine the voice and impact we could make on the health of a community. We, the chapter, have a great opportunity to leave an outstanding legacy. I am committed to working with our board and members to set an agenda that will leave a proud legacy of our chapter. I would like to include international efforts to help those in need. The acceptance of this award propels me to be a stronger leader. I recognize that this would not have been possible without the commitment of our Board and Executive Director. As dean and president of Omicron Delta, I pledge my continued support of the chapter to set a legacy agenda that we will be proud of.
I look forward to serving you, our members.
Sincerely, Dr. Pam Fuller, MN, Ed,D, RN
President, Omicron Delta
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION GRANT
For the first time, Omicron Delta provided assistance to an international STTI member through an education grant with the STTI Foundation. Lakshimi Rajeswaran, DN, from Botswana was awarded this grant so she could attend the STTI Biennial Convention. Congratulations to Lakshimi!
