Winter has arrived with what seems like a bang and it seems it’s here to stay. What contrast to the warm Fall
we had! Thank you to all who attended our first all day Fall Conference at DHMC. We had a successful day with
excellent attendance and excellent presentations. Thank you to the Board of Directors who all worked diligently to
coordinate and contribute to making the day a success. Our evaluation forms reflected that attendees enjoyed the
day very much and would welcome another day-long conference in the spring.

The theme for the 2010 AORN Congress is Reaching the Peak of Perioperative Practice. The 57th annual
educational conference will be held from March 13-18, 2010 in Denver , Colorado . We at Chapter 3001 are gearing
up for Congress and will be offering funding towards Congress attendance for those members wishing to be
delegates and also for first time attendees. Please contact a board member if you are interested in attending and
representing our chapter.

We are very excited this year to learn that DHMC has joined AORN’s Perioperative Excellence Program. AORN
describes this program as: ”The Perioperative Excellence Program, PEP, engages perioperative nursing staff in a
community that strives to remain at the forefront of best practices and optimal outcomes. PEP is membership in
AORN for all your perioperative nursing staff - plus MORE.” “By participating in PEP, your department will attract
and retain quality staff, increase staff competency levels, and create a strong nursing team through educational
resources that support practice excellence. AORN helps you enact a solid strategy based on clinical research,
giving each staff member the confidence to administer the highest level of care.

     AORN helps you enact a solid strategy based on clinical research, giving each staff member the confidence to administer the highest level of care. Please see http://www.aorn.org/Membership/MembershipTypes/FacilityMembership/ and ttp://www.aorn.org/News/Managers/February2009Issue/PEPhttp://www.aorn.org/News/Managers/February2009Issue/
PEP for the full articles.

       PEP facilities enroll their OR nurses, who are then entitled to join both AORN national and the local
Chapter 3001, at no cost to the individual nurse. Current members will have their membership fees
reimbursed by AORN. Chapter 3001 is excited to welcome these new members. We look forward to
serving them and offering the advantages that our local chapter can provide.

Miracles do happen… it was just this past year that this chapter was in jeopardy of closing. Now
our membership numbers will soar to nearly 150 members. I would welcome any suggestions that new or
current members have in ways that we can serve your needs for education in the promotion of safe,
quality patient care in a collaborative environment.

Linda

Linda Thompson RN BSN CNOR
President, AORN Chapter 3001

AORN 57^th Congress

March 13-18 2010

Denver Colorado

Reaching the Peak of Perioperative Practice

· Safety….Quality….Collaboration

Chapter 3001 is allowed 4 delegates and 4 alternates at this year’s Congress. Notices
were sent to the membership seeking those individuals who are planning to attend
Congress and would be willing to represent the Chapter at the business meetings of
AORN.

Delegates must be willing to attend all business functions and to vote for the next
officers of AORN. Delegates receive a $300 stipend from the Chapter to attend as
delegates.

Delegates chosen to represent the Chapter this year include:

· Linda Thompson (chair)

· Lisa Ryder

· Susan Snow

· Rebecca Saypack*** pending

MEETINGS AND EVENTS:

March 13-18: AORN 57^th Congress in Denver Colorado
May 1: Chapter 3001 Spring Educational Session at Cheshire Medical in Keene NH

1^St Time to Congress

If you are attending AORN Congress for the very first time in your career, it’s not too late to apply to
Chapter 3001 for some financial assistance. AORN Chapter 3001 recognizes the thrill of attending the AORN Congress for the first time. In support of our members in this unique position, we offer a bit of assistance. Members were emailed the application form in January. Please submit the completed application no later than February 28, 2010. Need an application? Contact any Board member.

Save the Date!!

May 1 2010

Cheshire Medical in Keene NH

Chapter 3001
Spring Educational Conference:

The Eyes Have It!

Eye Anatomy

Cataracts and Intraocular lens

Lasik Surgery

Photorefractive Keratotomy (PKR)

Project Orbis (the flying eye hospital)

And more!

Haiti Earthquake Relief Resources

AORN extends its deepest sympathy to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti . To support our members' desire to
help, we have assembled a partial list of links that connect to descriptions of volunteer opportunities and other ways
to help. This list has been compiled from information that is available on several health and disaster relief-related
Web sites and while we believe all organizations to be reputable, we recommend that members fully consider which
opportunity is the most appropriate for their skills, interest, comfort, and safety. Visit AORN’s website for a complete
listing of websites accepting donations for the Haiti Relief project. (AORN website).

AORN Chapter 3001 board members held a meeting January 14, 2010 in which the Board agreed to make a
financial donation , in the amount of half of the proceeds from the fall conference, to the Haiti Relief efforts in behalf
of our Chapter. We chose to donate to Doctors without Borders.

AORN Chapter 3001 Fall Conference 2009

On Saturday November 7, 2009 we met at DHMC for a fascinating daylong conference, highlighted with
wonderful speakers, interesting topics, hands-on experience and prizes. The day began with Francis Todd RN
discussing “Science behind Patient Safety Simulation”, followed by a thought provoking presentation on
“Fire Safety in the OR” led by AORN Board member Kim Cotter RN. The group then moved on to the
Simulation Lab for a fire in the OR simulation and debriefing. Kerrington Smith MD began the afternoon
session with “Whipple Surgery”, followed by a two-part discussion on “Disruptive Behavior” by Lisa Thomka RN
The keynote address was given by AORN President-elect Charlotte Guglielmi RN, addressing “Building More
Effective and Safe Teams in Surgery”.

This daylong conference was the first that we have tried, and it seemed to be an excellent decision, as it was
attended by 43 participants.

Door prize winners included: Donna Jondro, Kim Tedeschi, Carlene Bane, Tiffany Cooper, Adele Champoux,
Beth Hewes and Sharon Davis.

Many thanks for Linda Thompson for coordinating this large event!

OR Nurse Link

AORN's New Online Community for PeriOperative Professionals

We are pleased to announce the launch of OR Nurse Link, the new social network for AORN members, available now.

Brighter, faster, and easier to use, OR Nurse Link has an array of new features made possible by the latest social media technologies to help you more quickly participate in discussions, read AORN news, search for information, connect with colleagues, and share documents and files.

Create and join groups based on your interests
Participate in your Specialty Assembly and Chapter discussions
Read posts and learn from your colleagues

Specialty Assemblies

What do you know about the 23 Specialty Assemblies? As you know, AORN offers one complimentary inclusion in a specialty assembly with AORN membership; however members may belong to more than one assembly for only $15 each. You can change your Specialty Assembly by calling AORN Customer Service. We have been highlighting a specialty assembly with each newsletter. We have already looked at the Federal Nurses Specialty Assembly, the Orthopedic Specialty Assembly, Ophthalmology Specialty Assembly, Trauma Specialty Assembly, the
Pediatric Specialty Assembly and the Cardiothoracic Specialty Assembly. (See previous newsletters). This information is from the AORN website:

Leadership Specialty Assembly

Overview
Perioperative nurses who are interested in administration, management concepts, leadership skills,
or organizational dynamics for perioperative services.

Purpose Statements

· Enhance communication, collaboration, and networking among perioperative leaders.

· Assess, promote, and provide specialized education programs for perioperative leaders.

· Provide and serve as a resource network for perioperative leaders and other health care professionals who have an impact on the perioperative arena.

· Facilitate applications of management research in the perioperative setting and exchange pertinent information.

· Provide recommendations that will guide patient care practices and standards of care in
the perioperative arena.

· Unite perioperative leaders for the purpose of maintaining a Specialty Assembly dedicated
to the continuous endeavor of promoting the highest professional standards of practice
among perioperative leaders.

· Serve as a resource for AORN in the area of management.

Chapter 3001 Membership for February 2010

Membership Type	Count
Standard	71
PEP member 1year	58
Retired	4
Associate	4
Student	2
3 year	1
Total	140

Welcome PEP Members!