ASTDN 2006 Annual Conference by: Glynnis LaRosa, RN, MPH, CPHQ Massachusetts ASTDN Rep. and ASTDN Secretary

Another successful ASTDN conference was held this year in Seattle, Washington from April 28 through May 3, 2006. The first day of the conference ASTDN hosted an Emergency Preparedness Day with guest speaker Roberta Lavin, MSN, APRN, BC, CAPT, USPHS, Office of Emergency Preparedness, who spoke about the “National Perspective on Emergency Opportunities for ASTDN Linkage and Leadership.”

Our other guest speaker, Sharon Stanley, PhD, RN, RS, Program Director, Center for Health Preparedness, School of Public Health at Ohio State University, shared “Preparedness Resources for Public Health Nurses.” The afternoon session was facilitated by Kristine Gebbie, DrPH, RN, who assisted the group to develop Emergency Preparedness goals for ASTDN to work on this year.

Sunday’s activities included ASTDN’s Leadership Dinner and Panel program. This year’s program was facilitated by Jack Thompson, Director, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. Speakers included Clair Millet, APRN, MN, CNS, Chief PH Nurse, Louisiana Dept. of Health and Hospitals who shared a moving presentation of the “Impact & Response the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.” Juanita Graham, RN, MSN, Health Services Chief Nurse, Mississippi Dept. of Health, spoke about “Leadership Skills and Lessons Learned from Time of Crisis.” Carole Jakeway, RN, MPH, Chief Nurse Division of Public Health Georgia Dept. of Human Services and Carol Patwari, RN, Director of PH Nursing, Texas Dept. of State Health Services, talked about “Supporting the Response in Disasters”.

Speakers provided a National Perspective on Emergency Preparedness Opportunities for ASTDN Linkage and Leadership. CAPT. Roberta Lavin, MSN, APRN, BC, US Public Health Service Carole Jakeway, RN, MPH, Chair ASTDN Emergency Preparedness Committee Dr. Kristine Gebbie, DrPH, RN, Asso. Professor of Nursing & Director, Center for Health Policy, Columbia University

Monday was Partner Day; this is an annual event where national partners share information with ASTDN members. The Quad Council members gave reports: American Public Health Association (APHA) Public Health Nursing Section was represented by Betty Bekemeier, Past President; Association of Community Health Nurse Educators (ACHNE) was represented by President Pamela Kulbock; American Nurses Association (ANA) was represented by Bobbie Berkowitz and Rita Gallagher. Other national partners included Pat Drehobl from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Mary Shaffran, Principal Director of Public Health Systems from Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and Grace Gorenflo, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Senior Advisor.

2006 ASTDN Board of Directors Rhonda Richtsmeier, Joy Reed, Diana Pistole, Shirley Orr, Karen O'Brien, Debbie Lee, Glynnis LaRosa, Barbara Hickok

Congratulations go out to the new ASTDN officers that were installed during the conference: Karen O’Brien, RN, MN, President; Shirley Orr, MHS, ARNP,CNAA, President Elect; Joy Reed, EdD, RN, Past President; Diana Pistole, RN, MPH, Treasurer; Glynnis LaRosa, RN, MPH, Secretary; Members at Large-- Debbie Lee, PhD, RN; Barbara Hickok, RN, MPH; Rhonda Richtsmeier, RN, MN.

The Continuing Education Day topic this year was “Achieving Health Equity: From Knowledge to Action.” Nationally recognized speaker, Antonia Villaruel, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, University of Michigan School of Nursing, shared information on this subject to both ground us in the context of the issue as well as provide insight for action. Other speakers were Elizabeth Thomas, BSN, MN, ARNP, President of the Washington State chapter of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nursing Association; Rudy Vasquez, Multicultural Director at Sea Mar Community Health Centers in Washington State; David Harrelson, BA, Tribal & Health Disparities Specialist, Washington State Dept. of Health, Tobacco Prevention Control Program. Bobbie Berkowitz presented, “Leadership Opportunities for Nursing: Building on Past Experiences” and Betty Bekemeier spoke about “Social Justice and the Public Health Nurse”. The conclusion of this day was an open brainstorming session for conference attendees to assist ASTDN in creating a position paper that will help identify public health nursing roles and responsibilities in eliminating health disparities.

Conference attendees enjoyed this year’s conference very much ! Conference participants also enjoyed the beautiful Pacific Northwest, visiting the sites of Seattle, enjoying northwest cuisine and networking with colleagues from around the country. Conference photos, information, and the link to the educational video presentations from the sessions will be posted soon on the ASTDN website www.astdn.org.

2006 State Reports
2006 Annual Meeting Photos