The PNASC delegates arrived safely home from the 30^th PNAA Convention held on July 15-19, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. Our gracious hosts, Maryland and Metro D.C. chapters provided us with a beautiful venue and one of the most memorable conventions to say the least. To all the PNASC delegates: (Executive Board) Sarla Duller, Mel Carrillo, Pacita Lovely, Mindy Ofiana, Kat Burgner & Linda Absher; (Members) Aida Ramos, Marilou Puga and Sharee Anzaldo; (Advisory Council) Clarita Miraflor, Mila Velasquez and Josie Villanueva; (PNASCA) Jake Duller – Thank you all as ambassadors of excellence for our chapter as well as our western region.

 

Here are the highlights of the convention:

 

·        Leadership Institute (July 16) facilitated by Kim Zoller of Image Dynamics

·        Launching of the new PNAA website (July 16): www.mypnaa.org  (You have to visit and register as a PNAA member !!!!)

·        Website superuser training (July 16)

·        Networking Night (July 16) – PNASC with other western region chapters presented “Hail to the Chiefs” produced and directed by our very own Mindy Ofiana. “Thank you” to all the performers, we rocked!!!! The PNAA theme song, Shine PNAA Shine was officially sung for the first time

·        Launching of the PNAA Journal, a peer-reviewed journal (July 17) – the first issue will be published and distributed to general membership in Fall as a PNAA membership benefit

·        Advanced Practice Forum  (July 17)– the first meeting ever in the history of PNAA with overwhelming response from different APNs (NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA) throughout the US

·        Educational Seminar (July 17) – our very own Clarita Miraflor and Mel Carrillo, two of the keynote speakers presented the most memorable description of the dream and the promise with standing ovation from the audience

·        5K Walk/Run (July 18) – “Thank you” to all the runners of PNASC and to all the sponsors who contributed to the net income of approximately $25,000. The PNASC is 4^th place in individual donations/sponsorships. The Western Region has the highest total amount in donations/sponsorships.  The 5 K runner who garnered the Rosas Trophy came from the western region. The proceeds of this annual 5K run/walk will support all the initiatives/projects of PNAA such as scholarships & leadership training.

·        General Assembly (July 18) – Thank you all who officially represented our chapter in the General Assembly meeting: Sarla Duller, Mel Carrillo, Mindy Ofiana and Linda Absher. During the General Assembly the following awards were presented:

 

v The Pride Newsletter Award – presented to our chapter - PNASC

v The Editorial Award – presented to our Pres. Elect and past Editor in Chief – Sarla Duller

v Scholarship Award – presented to Mel Carrillo, our PRO

 

·        Gala Night (July 18) – the most poignant event was the Time Capsule Ceremony with the official PNAA theme song playing at the background, Shine PNAA Shine. Those who witnessed the ceremony would say the same thing, a very touching ceremony. The Time Capsule being wheeled away from the ballroom by 4 millennials is quite moving. The Time Capsule will again be opened 20 years from now.

·        Other memorable activities during the convention:

o   The Baltimore city tour (duck tour) riding in the amphibian vehicle, a bus and a boat where half of the tour is on the road and half is on the water.

o   The Crab Feast cruise where we all gobbled up crabs and crabs and crabs all evening during the two hour cruise.

 

As the president of PNASC, I am beaming with pride with all the individual accomplishments of our chapter representatives: Sarla Duller & Mel Carrillo for bringing home prestigious awards; for the artistic and collaborative efforts of Mindy Ofiana producing “Hail to the Chiefs” presentation, and to our mentors who implanted the seeds both at local and national level namely Clarita Miraflor, Mila Velasquez and Josie Villanueva. I also thank our regular members Aida Ramos and Marilou Puga who took their time from the bedside to attend this convention and to Sharee Anzaldo & Sarla Duller for their poster presentations.  Sharee won the 2^nd prize for best poster presentation. This experience is priceless. It has given me more inspiration to promote and put into action the vision and mission of PNAA.

God Bless PNASC & PNAA!