President's Message; Volume 19, Issue 3

Celebrating Older Americans

By Amy Cotton MSN, GNP-BC, FNP-BC, FNGNA

Amy Cotton Each year, the month of May is designated as Older Americans Month, a perfect time to celebrate the lives of our eldest community members. It provides a great opportunity for gerontological nurses to recognize the contributions and influence that this growing population has had on our country.

The heart of NGNA’s purpose is to improve nursing care given to older adults. Gerontological nurses stand apart from other nursing specialties, because we value aging and recognize the importance of the individual as we care for aging community members.

I am excited to share the news that NGNA has joined with 3.1 million other nursing professionals to support Joining Forces, which is a comprehensive initiative led by First Lady Michelle Obama. Joining Forces is a nationwide effort to mobilize all sectors of the community for service members and their families, specifically supporting their employment, education and wellness opportunities. We have committed to increasing the body of knowledge leading to improved health care and wellness for service members, veterans and their families. As Americans continue to live longer, we know the numbers of aging veterans will grow. Nurses need state-of–the-art education to understand the unique clinical challenges and best practices associated with caring for current service members, veterans and their families.

To that end, NGNA continues our commitment to grow our online member education resources with the addition of The Advancing Excellence Campaign Webinar, which is hosted by national leaders, showcasing the resources and tools gerontological nurses have available in long term care to improve quality and clinical outcomes.

NGNA’s board of directors, committee leaders and members, special interest groups and Fellows are working diligently to take action to improve the health care older adults are receiving. On behalf of your Board of Directors, I thank each of you for the work you do to honor the lives of older Americans and to ensure that quality nursing is delivered to those who need it.

I wish you peace, health and happiness.

NGNA is Now Taking Applications for the 2012 Annual Awards

The National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA) is proud to offer award and scholarship opportunities for 2012. Awards will be presented at the 2012 NGNA Annual Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

Chapter Award
The Chapter Award honors the chapter that best promotes the goals of NGNA through their member relationships, community activities and promotion of community health issues. All chapters are encouraged to submit an application for this award.

Cindy Shemansky Travel Scholarship
The Cindy Shemansky Travel Scholarship was established to provide assistance to NGNA members who wish to attend the annual convention but who need financial assistance with travel expenses.

Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a member of NGNA in recognition of outstanding leadership, participation, and contributions toward achieving the goals of NGNA.

Excellence in Gerontological Nursing Award
The Excellence in Gerontological Nursing Awards has been established to recognize excellence in individuals who provide care to older adults. These awards are intended to honor an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, and/or a certified nursing assistant who has consistently provided outstanding care to older adults and have been inspirational role models and mentors to other healthcare workers.

Gerontological Nursing Student Leadership Awards
This award is sponsored by the NGNA Fellows. Three nursing students will be awarded a scholarship to attend the annual convention. This is an exciting opportunity for students who will be our next generation of gerontological nurses.

Mary Opal Wolanin Scholarship
The Mary Opal Wolanin Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarships were established to provide financial assistance to students intending to work with older adults. Applicants must intend to work in a gerontology/geriatric setting after graduation. A $500.00 scholarship may be awarded for each category.

CLICK HERE to view the Awards Criteria and Download Application(s).

Mayo represents NGNA at the Eldercare Workforce Alliance



A collection of photos from EWA's various advocacy days on Capitol Hill.

We Can’t Wait: Administration Announces New Steps to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease

The Obama Administration announced on February 14 new efforts to fight Alzheimer’s disease, including immediately making an additional $50 million available for cutting-edge Alzheimer’s research. In addition, the administration announced that its Fiscal Year 2013 budget will boost funding for Alzheimer’s research by $80 million. Today’s announcement also includes an additional $26 million in caregiver support, provider education, public awareness and improvements in data infrastructure.

In January 2011, President Obama signed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, which calls for an aggressive and coordinated national Alzheimer’s disease plan. The Act also establishes an Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, which brings together some of the Nation’s foremost experts on Alzheimer’s disease to inform the development of the national plan. The preliminary framework for the National Alzheimer’s Disease Plan identifies key goals including preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. As work on the plan continues, the Obama Administration is taking action.

For more information on the efforts to fight Alzheimer’s disease visit: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/02/factsheet_alzheimers.html.

Inova Loudoun Hospital Earns Second Nursing Magnet Recognition

Inova Loudoun Hospital has again attained Magnet® recognition as part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program®. This voluntary credentialing program for hospitals recognizes excellence in nursing. This credential is the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice. Inova Loudoun joins sister organizations Inova Fairfax and Inova Fair Oaks hospitals which have also attained Magnet status.

Notification of the designation came via a mid-morning conference call initiated by Patricia Reid Ponte, DNSc, RN, FAAN, chair of the ANCC Commission on Magnet Recognition. On hand to receive the news were members of ILH's Senior Administration led by CEO Randy Kelley and Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Dugan as well as ILH's management team, nursing leadership and staff. "To hold the distinction yet again demonstrates the outstanding level of nursing care afforded the residents of Loudoun County. We are proud to be a Magnet facility," commented Kelley.

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