Final Message From the President

December, 2006

The Holiday Season is just finishing. I hope each of you enjoyed visiting with friends and family and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the holidays. With the New Year comes change. My office as President of PCR comes to an official end on December 31st, but I want to take this opportunity review the past 4 years and thank a few people for their support.

Joyce Moss starts her Presidency on January 1st and will be up to speed at our Transition Board of Directors meeting later in the month. We have worked together the past 2 years and I have come to respect her calm and cool demeanor. She comes to this position from her role as Vice President. She has worked hard to strengthen the Peer Support Groups via communication; brought us information from the Government Affairs chairman Marilyn Magoffin; and kept us up to the date on NIWI, the UOAA, the Youth Rally and the Mentorship Program. She will bring a fresh new dimension to the role of President. Please give her your full support.

I want to thank all the officers I have worked with the past 4 years. Some have worked hard to continue to bring PCR top educational programs, keep us financially sound and thriving, kept our website not only current, but new with innovative ideas. Others have worked behind the scenes to keep our minutes relevant, worked on the business of PR for our members and keep our membership roles up to date. All of these tasks are done with the caring and thoughtfulness in mind. That is why PCR continues to be at the leading edge of regions.

As I look back at the past 4 years, I remember some of the highlights like our 30th anniversary as a region. What a delight to see many past presidents participate and a special keynote address by Katherine Jeter. A great time was had by all.

Other than memorable educational programs, the internal workings of your organization has been looked at including development of Process Documents for each officer so that when people transition in and out of an office, the information is passed along for continuity. In addition, we are in the process of developing the "nuts and bolts" of the Gene Galindo Memorial Fund, whose idea was brought to our region by Betty Razor prior to Gene's death this year. A committee has been set up and details on the Fund will be presented formally in the next 1-2 months. And last but not least, the Board started the process in 2006 of developing a 5 year Strategic Plan to lead us into the future so PCR can continue to be a relevant and vital organization.

I would encourage all of you to look closely at what you can give to YOUR organization in 2007 and beyond. Competent, dedicated persons are needed not only for officer positions, but to work on smaller committees. I realize our lives have become more complicated and frenzied, so if a longer commitment to an officer position is not possible, think about a short-term committee assignment. Your input is valuable, even if it is for a short period of time. You can contact Joyce Moss at or any of the other officers to signal a commitment.

Finally, since I am living in Florida, my ability to participate in person will be limited. I am committed to share all of my information as Past President with the Board, but may not be able to attend our bi-annual meetings. I will be with all of you in spirit. My thanks go to everyone I have had the opportunity to work with and know these past 4 years.

My wish for PCR for 2007 and beyond is to continue to prosper and be a leader among regions. We have the talent and resources to make that happen.

Judy Papen

Officers Corner

Joyce Moss,
Vice President
October 2006

Hello Fellow PCR Members,
It's the fall of the year and many holiday activities are about to begin - ENJOY!!
Please send a brief overview of your group's activity over this year - I would like to share your celebrations and trials in a summary report on Peer Groups 2006.

Robin had Batman, Watson had Holmes, and I NEED YOU!!!! Mentorship is the lifeblood of our profession. Let me hear from you.

GYGG (Get Your Guts in Gear), a 3-day bike ride will be hosted in three states in 2007: New York, Washington, & Texas. More to come later or Contact www.ibdride.org or (645)536-7408.

The Fall Conference was a great success! Thanks for your help and hope to see you in Napa this Spring!

I am available anytime @ (916) 852-3900 EXT 214 or .

WOCN co-signed/endorsed letter to the Administrator of CMS regarding the Medicare program and Nurse Practitioners

October 10, 2006

The Honorable Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D.
Administrator
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Room 445-C, Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20001

Re: Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2007 and Other Changes to Payment Under Part B - CMS-1321-P

Dear Administrator McClellan:

On behalf of our organizations and the hundreds of thousands of nurses we represent, we are writing to respectfully request that you and your staff work this year to modify the Medicare payment database so it can capture nurse practitioner specialty-specific data beginning in 2007. Taking this important action will help ensure that the nation's nurse practitioners can participate in future Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) demonstration and pay-for-performance/value-based purchasing programs.

As you know, nurse practitioners are registered nurses who are prepared - through advanced education and clinical training - to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. Studies consistently have found that nurse practitioners provide high quality, cost-effective care. Moreover, nurse practitioners often are sole providers of care in underserved and rural communities. With the nation facing the dual challenges of a growing physician shortage and the aging of the Baby Boom generation, nurse practitioners will play an even more important role in providing quality care to Medicare beneficiaries in the years to come.

It is our understanding that the Medicare database currently does not permit the collection of nurse practitioner specialty-specific data. This current limitation unfairly excludes nurse practitioners from participating in certain demonstration projects and will preclude your agency from being able to evaluate nurse practitioners with respect to any pay-for-performance/value-based purchasing programs. We understand that since the Medicare payment database currently captures physician specialty-specific data that the inclusion of nurse practitioner specialty-specific data is feasible. We feel strongly that it is essential to address this differential in data collection and believe that the collection of this additional information will prove extremely useful to CMS and the Medicare program.

We appreciate your attention to our request and stand ready to work with you and your staff on this and other efforts to ensure that nurse practitioners are integrated fully into CMS's data collection efforts, pay-for-performance/value-based purchasing programs, and other related endeavors. If we can be of any assistance or should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of our organizations.

Sincerely,

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.
American College of Nurse Practitioners
American Nephrology Nurses' Association
American Organization of Nurse Executives
Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Emergency Nurses Association
Oncology Nursing Society
Public Health Nursing Section of the American Public Health Association
Society for Urologic Nurses and Associates
Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society

A Message From the President

October, 2006

PCR Fall Conference Highlights:

• Our Fall Conference was held in Irvine, CA earlier this month. Even though we had a change in venue, the program went off without a hitch, thanks to the tireless work of Marie Ward, our Educational Coordinator.
  
  
• Marie deserves kudos for working with the old hotel, contacting and arranging the new hotel site, sending out new brochures and making the transition happen almost seamlessly.
  
  
• Her selection of speakers was fabulous - some were returning like Michael Gray, and Barbara Dehn. Some were new like Dr. Michael Keller, who spoke on biofilms. His analogies were well received and all of us had a better appreciation of how biofilms interact in the wound healing process. Some of our "own" PCR colleagues also delivered excellent talks such as Ann Moore and Julie Lindfors.
  
  
• Kudos also to Susan Schardt who coordinated our vendors and to Sue Melton and her husband for working at the registration table. She was smart bringing her husband - he stayed at the table while she had the opportunity to listen to the speakers.
  
  
• New officers were elected for 2007-2008: Joyce Moss is your new President; Julie Lindfors will continue in the role of Communications Coordinator; Elisabeth (Liz) Harvey is the new Education Coordinator and Kathy Musgraves is the new Secretary. Congratulations to all.
  
  
• Since PCR elected to stagger the roles of President and Vice President this past spring, the role of Vice President, currently held by Joyce Moss, will be vacant on January 1, 2007. The Board of Directors will appoint a replacement for this position at our Transition Board Meeting in January to fill a one hear term. That person will then be able to run for a complete 2-year term, if he/she chooses in October 2007. If you are interested in the role of Vice President, please contact myself at: or Joyce Moss at no later than December 31, 2007. We will give you all the information you need on what the role requires. We are looking for someone who has attended our PCR meetings in the past, wishes to be an active participant in our Board of Directors and has a desire to help PCR continue it's goal of serving the membership.
  
  
• Keep these dates open on your calendar for our Spring 2007 conference: March 15 and 16th in Napa, CA. Our members have told us that in addition to excellent speakers, the location of the meeting is a big factor in why they attend conferences. Our spring 2006 meeting was held in Carmel and was well received. We hope that Napa will be another destination that inspires you to bring your significant others for a relaxing time and stimulating educational program.

Have a great fall season.

Judy Papen,
PCR President

Gene Galindo - The Passing of a PCR Icon

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Gene Galindo, President of Nu-Hope Corporation on August 15, 2006 from prostate cancer. Gene battled this disease for the past 11 years with grace and dignity and until the fall of 2005 was an active participant in PCR conferences. Gene was more than the President of his company. He was a friend, mentor, and teacher not only to PCR members, but to other WOC nurses throughout the country. In additional to his constant support of our organization, he gave hope to patients who sought out his expertise at fitting ostomy appliances for their difficult stoma situations.

To his wife Mickey, a WOC nurse and PCR member, our heart felt condolences. The two of you were a special couple who found each other at the right time in both of your lives. Gene will be in our hearts always.

PCR has established a Gene Galindo Foundation Fund in honor of all his contributions throughout the years. Donations can be sent to Donna Lockhart, PCR Treasurer, at: 2726 Via Dieguenos, Alpine, CA 91901.

Officers Corner

Joyce Moss,
Vice President

Hello Fellow PCR Members,
Hope you're having a great summer - Thought I'd update you on the happenings in PCR

Any new mentors wanting to sign up - Mentoring can be a wonderful experience and does not always have to be a formal contract - sharing is how we grow. Let me hear from you.

The Youth Rally held July 8-12, 2006 at San Diego State University was a great success. Pictures are available at rally4youth.org

GYGG (Get Your Guts in Gear), 3-day bike race in New York had 78 cyclists on June 9-11, 2006. August 18-21 is the Pacific Northwest ride - not to late to sponsor a cyclist - Contact www.ibdride.org or (645)536-7408.

NIWI (Nurses in Washington Internship) is scheduled for March 11-14, 2007. Scholarships for 2007 are sponsored by Spectrum. Scholarship applications are available at www.nursing-alliance.org/niwi. PCR also sponsors a scholarship.

Don't forget about the Fall Conference in Costa Mesa, CA October 12-14, 2006. Look forward to seeing you at the conference. Information available at www.pcr.org

I plan to contact you at least quarterly through your peer groups with ongoing activities and updates. I am available anytime @ (916) 852-5888 or .