The association had a monumental year again. Thanks to the faithful members and friends who came to our 5 meetings, we learned some new things to take back to our jobs, met some new nurse colleagues, shared snippets of our practice locations and exchanged phone numbers. In September Ms Chandramani gave us some strategies for managing stress. Little did we know how much we would need it? Washington DC was the center of the country's response to the H1N1 epidemic discussed on the evening news and published in the daily newspapers. We quickly became experts, answering questions from clients and agencies, coping with anxious clients who didn't fit into the specific groups designated to receive the initial doses of vaccine. The flu immunization program evolved into 2 separate immunization periods but H1N1 proved not to be as terrible as anticipated and the media moved on to other issues.
The weather forecasters worked around the clock in December and February as we watched the inches/feet of snow accumulate in our city and neighborhoods. The nation's Capital was snowbound for 4 days in Feb. When the Congress came back to work they passed a monumental health care reform bill that should keep us busy for a long time. The details will be surfacing over the coming months and years. I see evidence in professional journals and in the news report of an increased awareness of and emphasis on prevention of illness and a strong commitment to well care. Wellness and prevention are the factors we in occupational health have been emphasizing with our employees for many years. A healthy work force is a productive work force.
Most of you know that AAOHN restructured in July 2009 to survive as an organization for the members during the economic depression in the United States. Our membership has held steady for the year. 40 ballots were sent out for the annual election of officers in MWAOHN. 27 eligible members returned their ballots. With a dedicated core group of professional nurses we will continue as an association which was founded by another group of dedicated nurses who came together in 1953 to be the voice for nurses serving in occupational health clinics in Washington, DC.
As my term of office ends I know I'm giving the reins to a very capable person who has the ability to continue our rich nursing heritage. Thank you to all those who have served with me! Two small words don't capture my thoughts and prayers of gratitude for your fine service to MWAOHN and your help to me.
Respectfully submitted, Virginia M. Rauer RN, MSN, COHN-S May 12, 2010