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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2006
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Dermatology Nurses’ Association Attracts Record Numbers to Host Sold Out Convention
Pitman, NJ – The Dermatology Nurses Association (DNA) held its first-ever sold out Annual Convention in San Francisco, CA, March 2-5, 2006, for a crowd of over 1,150 nurses and dermatologic health care professionals. This was DNA’s 24th Annual Convention.
The exhibit hall was also sold out with over 80 exhibitors filling more than 100 booths. In addition to visiting the exhibit hall, attendees also participated in networking opportunities and special events and attended education sessions on wound healing, phototherapy, genetic skin disorders, skin care products and dermatologic lasers.
During the convention, DNA inaugurated the Nurse Practitioner Society of DNA, an entity within DNA formed specifically to support the unique needs of its nurse practitioner (NP) members. According to Janice Chussil, MSN, ANP, DNC, the first chair of the Society, nurse practitioners are the fastest-growing component of DNA’s membership. NP’s will have opportunities to participate in education activities, pursue research activities and advocate for patients through the new Society.
“DNA is growing in number, scope and influence, and this year’s conference reflected that growth with large numbers of attendees, exhibitors and programs,” said DNA’s new President, Melodie Young, MSN, RN, A/GNP. “The feedback from attendees and speakers was overwhelmingly positive, especially regarding the new NP Society.” Young was inducted into office, along with other DNA board members for 2006-07.
On Friday, March 3, LeAnn Thieman, MPN, CSP, opened the conference with her keynote address, “Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul.” Thieman shared many of her own life stories from the book Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, including her experience as a nurse sent to Vietnam to rescue orphans during the fall of Saigon. She inspired attendees to see how their work as nurses matters and reminded colleagues to care for themselves as they care for others.
Awards
Several awards were presented during DNA’s Business Meeting/Recognition Luncheon on Friday, March 3.
Robin Weber, MN, RN, FNP-C, DNC, received the President’s Award, given each year to an individual for outstanding contributions to DNA. Weber, a DNA past president, is a medical science liaison, dermatology, at Genentech, Portland, OR.
Robert Walther, MD, was honored in recognition of his 20 years of outstanding support and education activities for DNA. Walther has been a faculty member of DNA’s Dermatology Nursing Basics Course for the last 20 years. He is vice chair, department of dermatology, Columbia University.
2006-07 DNA Board of Directors
DNA’s 2006-07 Board of Directors (BOD) was inducted at the convention. They are:
| President |
Melodie Young, MSN, RN, A/GNP, Dallas, TX |
| President-Elect |
Susan Tofte, RN, MS, FNP-C, Portland, OR |
| Immediate Past President |
Cathy Boeck, RN, CCRC, DNC, St. Paul, MN |
| Secretary/Treasurer |
Barbara Sinni-McKeehen, MSN, ARNP, DNC, Largo, FL |
| Director |
Trudy Adamson, BSN, RN, DNC, Byron, MN |
| Director |
Karen M. Fairbrother, BSN, RN, DNC, Helena, MT |
| Director |
Laura Musse, MS, RN, ANP-C, Silver Spring, MD |
| Director |
Marianne C. Tawa, MSN, RN, ANP, Medfield, MA |
Senior Staff
Executive Director |
Cyndee Nowicki-Hnatiuk, EdD, RN, CAE, Pitman, NJ |
| Association Services Manager |
Eileen Schnapp, Pitman, NJ |
DNA will celebrate its 25th Anniversary at the 25th Annual Convention to be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA, February 1-4, 2007. For more information about DNA and its conferences, visit www.dnanurse.org or contact the National Office at East Holly Avenue Box 56, Pitman, NJ 08071; phone: 800-454-4DNA (4362) or 856-256-2330; e-mail: dna@ajj.com.
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The Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA) is a professional nursing organization comprised of a diverse group of individuals committed to quality care through sharing knowledge and expertise. DNA’s core purpose is to
promote excellence in dermatologic care.