Don't be dismayed with good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again after a moment or lifetime is certain for those who are friends. - -Richard David Bach
We probably all agree that nothing ever stays the same. ASPSN has capitalized on some recent changes and has introduced several new changes over the past year. Our monthly electronic newsletter keeps getting better and better with each issue. Although a monthly newsletter requires a tremendous amount of energy, ASPSN and newsletter editor, Susan Lamp, feel that our monthly newsletter provides an excellent means of communicating current news to our entire membership. Just a reminder, please keep your current e-mail address updated with our National Office so that you will remain up-to-date on everything that is happening with ASPSN.
The theme of our 34th Annual Convention in Chicago-"Plastic Surgical Nursing: A time for Challenges and Changes"-certainly reminds us that not much of anything stays the same. To expand on our annual joint panel with ASPS on patient safety, we have presented an all-day course for nurse injectors in partnership with ASPS. The combination of both physician and nurse expertise provides presentations that encompass every aspect to provide outstanding patient care and safety. Although it is too early to have obtained input from everyone who attended the Chicago meeting, and most specially our first ever all-day meeting at the convention center, we hope that everyone has appreciated the opportunity to establish a true ASPSN presence at the ASPS meeting site and enjoy the additional time to network with all members of the plastic surgical team. We will most certainly continue to strengthen our collaboration and partnership with ASPS.
All of our readers probably recognize that planning for every annual convention begins just as soon as one meeting is over. Each evaluation from attendees is carefully reviewed so that we can build on what we have done well and add changes to make each annual meeting more productive for everyone. The Scientific Session Planning Committee truly works all year round as every detail for the annual convention is planned. Pat Terrell and Georgia Elmassion have cochaired this year's committee with unbelievable enthusiasm and dedication. Thanks for another outstanding meeting.
Looking back over my presidential year 2008 reminds me of the song "I've Had the Time of My Life" from one of my all-time favorite movies. Serving as your President has been a once in a lifetime opportunity and the year has gone so quickly. I have been blessed to work with an outstanding ASPSN Board of Directors and the superbly capable management firm of Dancy-Puetz. I know for certain that I would not be feeling nearly the same without the contribution of everyone who is so dedicated to the purpose of ASPSN. LuAnn Buchholz, as ASPSN President 2009, will most capably continue leadership of ASPSN during the coming year. While this is my good-bye as your ASPSN President 2008, I will look forward to seeing many of you again as our paths are sure to cross through our commitment and dedication to plastic surgical nursing. It has been a truly wonderful year; hopefully, some of you will decide to become further involved with leadership of ASPSN and have "the time of your life."
Claudette J. Heddens, ARNP, CPSN
ASPSN President 2008