To the Editor,

The Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) has more than 8,500 members in 64 regions throughout the United States. These members work in a multiplicity of environments, including hospital-based units, ambulatory surgery centers, and office-based centers. They are involved in routine endoscopy (e.g., esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy), emergency procedures (e.g., variceal banding, foreign body removal), and specialty procedures (e.g., endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasonography, and manometry). They care for a multitude of patients on a daily basis.

SGNA and the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN) provide an avenue for recognition of these members in the form of award recognition: Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award, Distinguished Service Award, Regional Society Member of the Year Award (SGNA), and the GI Professional of the Year Award (ABCGN). Each of these awards recognize a member for his or her contributions in the areas of providing direct patient care, supporting the ideals of SGNA, impacting SGNA on a regional level, or demonstrating the value of certification.

Our regional SGNA societies need to support the members of their region by nominating a member for each of these awards on an annual basis. Only by nomination will their members have an opportunity to be recognized. The more the nominations, the better the pool for the award committees to choose from. Our regions have many qualified members who deserve to be recognized. Make this an item on your agenda for your next meeting. The awards have already been decided for this year. Get a head start for next year. Let your region and your members be recognized!!

Sincerely,

Janet Hannah, RN, CGRN

Immediate Past President, West Virginia SGNA, Region 64, Winchester, Virginia