VSNA Program Planning Committee Activities

The VSNA Program Planning Committee reorganized in January, 2009. Members are: June Benoit, Chair, Jane Birnn, Patricia Donehower, Heather Evans, Tepin Johnson, and Margaret Luce. The responsibilities of the PPC include creation of a   standard educational calendar for VSNA, and creation of timeline template for event planning. PPC works closely with the Education Committee for contact hour approval. The committee is grateful to Lorri Welch for her advice and assistance with the contact hour approval process.

The PPC set a goal of two educational offerings each calendar year in order to meet VSNA’s mission to educate nurses, and to increase non-dues revenue to support VSNA’s operations.

On September 22, 2009 VSNA sponsored a Mental Health Update: Caring for the Child and Adolescent at Risk for Self Injury Behavior and Suicide at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the 10 to 24 year old age group. Faculty for the conference were: Robyn  L. Ostrander, MD, Medical Director of Child and Adolescent Services, Elizabeth Wilkins-McKee, LICSW, Program Manager of Outpatient  and Family Services , and Darcy Gingerich, LCMHC, LADC, Senior Program Therapist, all are on the staff of The Brattleboro Retreat; and Beth Ann Maier, MD, Associates in Pediatrics. Brian Remmer, from the Youth Suicide Prevention Project, was also present and discussed the grant for the project and activities to build resiliency in youth.

Dr. Ostrander is the co-author with Ronald L. Green, MD of “Neuro-anatomy for Students of Behavioral Disorders” which addresses the current research on neurobiology, its contribution to understanding suicidal behavior, and current pharmacological management of depression. The book is available through Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical School Bookstore.

The PPC is at work on a conference on chronic pain and palliative care to be offered in the spring, 2010. Please contact VSNA with your ideas for faculty for this conference,   for topics for future conferences; and, of course, we always welcome new members. The PPC meets via conference calls.

District 1-February 14th Event-

Jernigan Pontiac, "The Hackie" taxi driver, cabbie and storyteller, featured speaker at Vermont State Nurses Association District I Feb 14th Valentines Day meeting. Jernigan shares a story of having a group of nurses in his cab - and how their healing energy transformed his mood. For more info on Jernigan Pontiac visit his web site at www.yohackie.com. If you have a cab driver in your life -- Jernigans stories of life as a Taxi driver will brighten your day. Great stories...