In February, Dr. Jean Schroeder, Board Member at Large, presented her personal and professional insights into living with Sjogren’s Disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder. In her presentation, “Sjorgren’s Disease 2,” Dr. Schroeder gave an overview of the pathophysiology of the disease, her physical and mental challenges with the disease, and the latest advancements in research.
Our March speaker was Ann Scarpita, MSN, MPH, BSN, RN with Colorado Public Health Association, Public Health Nurse Section whose presentation, “TB in the Modern Era: Updates on Diagnosis, Treatment, and the Nurses Impact on Patient Outcomes,” reflected her 17 years’ experience as a TB Nurse Consultant. Ann confirmed that TB continues to infect millions globally. The topic was timely as World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated annually on March 24 by the World Health Organization.
Thank you to Annette Cannon for her monthly President’s Message in our Newsblast which she also posts to MyCNA. Her January message was on New Beginnings, February’s was on Love, and March’s was Celebrating Each Other. Annette has been busy reaching out to the Colorado Council of Black Nurses, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and Philippine Nurses Association of America. Our Newsblast is now sent to the Presidents of these organizations in hope of increasing collaborative activities.
Annette attended CNA’s Nurses Day at the Capitol where she was a speaker on the Nurse Advocacy Panel entitled “Empowering Nurse Advocates: Lessons in Leadership, Mentoring and Impact.” The panel shared their nursing journeys, lessons learned and the powerful impact of mentorship. On March 7, she co-presented for the Colorado District Attorney’s Council on “Homicide and Suicide: Saving Lives Through Prosecution.”
The Nurses Furthering Knowledge Board approved a scholarship in its name to be awarded through the Colorado Nurses Foundation in 2025. Criteria for the award is being developed. Money to help fund the scholarship was supported by 30 members, family, and friends attending the musical Fiddler on the Roof fundraiser on March 30 at the Lakewood Cultural Center and fundraising is ongoing. Two hundred and nine dollars were raised through ticket sales and donations. Nurses Furthering Knowledge was pleased to have its 2024 scholarship recipient, Maya Lindgren, attend our February meeting.
Our Constituent Association’s, Nurses Furthering Knowledge, Bylaws were submitted by Board Member at Large, Kathy Crisler, to CNA in February and are awaiting approval by the CNA Board. Thank you to Kathy for taking the lead in revising our former DNA 20 Bylaws to meet the new CA requirements.
In honor of Certified Nurses Day on March 19, names of Nurses Furthering Knowledge members and their certifications were published in the March Newsblast. Thank you to Betsy Woolf for soliciting members to submit their names and certifications so we can recognize our members’ areas of expertise.
