"Share your passion, illuminate our profession" Congress highlights: Sunday, March 30, to Thursday, April 3, 2008

AORN Journal,  June, 2008  by Liz Cowperthwaite,  Elizabeth Lones

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Although "sunny California" proved to be sunny only about half of the time, nothing could dampen the spirits of the more than 6,700 attendees and more than 6,500 exhibitors who filled the Anaheim Convention Center for a week of learning and fun at the 55th AORN Congress. The following pages provide a look back at some of the many memories from this year's Congress.

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OPENING SESSION

The Opening Session was marked by music, dancing, and ceremony. The Laryngospasms, a group of singing nurse anesthetists, entertained the crowd with anesthesia-related song parodies like "Waking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Mr Gas Man" before the procession of AORN dignitaries, volunteers, award winners, and association partners streamed into the arena. Norrie MacIlraith, RN, MS, CNS, led the group in a centering exercise to promote relaxation and energy. President Mary Jo Steiert, RN, BSN, CNOR, introduced the Blue Eagles Honor Guard from March Air Reserve Base who presented the colors before President Steiert's daughters, Jessica and Megan, sang the National Anthem.

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Many representatives from other nursing and professional organizations were on hand to bring greetings to the AORN members. The crowd reacted with a standing ovation when Becky Patton, RN, MSN, CNOR, president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), and President Steiert announced an exciting new partnership between AORN and the ANA. All AORN members will become individual affiliate members of the ANA as of July 1, 2008.

Victoria Steelman, RN, PhD, CNOR, FAAN, winner of the Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing, addressed the crowd with the story of how she developed from a 19-year-old surgical technologist who "thought goals were what we were going to do on the weekend" to joining the ranks of perioperative nurses who she considered "the best of the best." She honored the many nurses who served as her inspirations and thanked the attendees for "letting me be one of you and letting me know I made the right career choice."

Vivian Watson, RN, CNOR, received the Jerry G. Peers Award for Distinguished Service. This annual award recognizes an individual's significant contributions to the growth, progress, and welfare of AORN. "When you have a passion for something, it marks you for life," said Watson as she accepted her award. The session ended on an energetic note as the Laryngospasms retook the stage and President Steiert joined them for a rousing rendition of "Devil With the Blue Scrubs On."

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CONGRESS EVENTS

In addition to opportunities to learn new skills and view the latest products, Congress provides numerous opportunities for networking and socializing, and attendees made the most of them. First-time attendees, specialty assembly members, international guests, Gen Xers, managers, and committee members all found events organized just for them. In addition, many joined in the fun at the Exhibitors' Advisory Committee event at Knott's Berry Farm and the Closing Celebration.

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THE AORN FOUNDATION

The return of two popular events--the Denim & Diamonds party and the 5K Run/ Walk--put the AORN Foundation in the limelight at this year's Congress. The Foundation has been an important part of AORN's success for the past 17 years, securing gifts that support programs and services for AORN members.

The AORN Foundation awarded 114 grants for AORN members to attend the 55th annual Congress. These grants were awarded through the generosity of the Competency & Credentialing Institute, the Exhibitors Advisory Committee, the Integra Foundation, and Leica Microsystems.

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Individuals, chapters, and state councils donated generously to the Foundation during Congress. Chapters that contributed to the Chapter Challenge between April 1, 2007, and April 30, 2008, will be entered into a drawing for the Ruth P. Shumaker Grant. The winning chapter, which will be chosen in a drawing during AORN's Leadership Conference in July, will receive a $350 grant to help one chapter member attend the 2009 Congress in Chicago, Illinois. To see if your chapter has met the 2008 Chapter Challenge, visit the Foundation's web site at http://www.aorn.org/foundation.

During Opening Session, AORN Foundation President Mark Schroer and AORN President Mary Jo Steiert launched the Foundation's Join OuR Heroes Campaign. These heroes are each of you. Every donation helps the AORN Foundation fund educational programs and new research studies and support the next generation of perioperative nurses. The goal is to raise $10 million in five years. For more information, please contact the AORN Foundation at (800) 755-2676.

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PERIOPERATIVE QUIZZ BOWL

The sunny beaches of California may be miles away from Anaheim, but the beach party theme was in full swing at this year's "Perioperative Quiz Bowl: Evidence-Based Practice." Quiz Bowl announcer Renae Battie, RN, MSN, CNOR, reminded the audience that "evidence-based practice is a path and journey to excellence that should be followed by all of us." The evidence-based questions posed to the audience and four qualifying teams encouraged all attendees to take that journey. Judy Pins, RN, BSN, MBA, was the emcee for the afternoon, and Victoria Steelman, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN, and Cecil King, RN, MS, CNOR, acted as the judges.