As I write my last President's Message for our Plastic Surgical Nursing journal, I reflect on the last eight years I have spent on the ASPSN Board of Directors: four of those years as a treasurer, two as your president-elect, and now completing my two-year term as your president and leader of this wonderful organization. I am forever grateful for the journey I have been on! Serving on your Board of Directors has been a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Compassion, Integrity, and Teamwork: A Tribute to ASPSN Excellence was the underlying theme of my first year as the president. I am committed to excellence; I have promoted and upheld the excellence of what ASPSN is all about. The principle of compassion, the value of integrity, and the adherence to high moral and ethical standards have set ASPSN apart from other nonprofit volunteer organizations. These principles and values were the glue to our association transitioning successfully to a new management firm during my tenure as the president. As a leader, it was my desire to see the whole of our organization, and to understand that the long-term success in carrying out our association's mission and goals was more than just the sum of our programs we offer or the projects we took on. Your Board of Directors has explored and invested in technologies and ways to do business so as to potentially create meaningful new revenues for the association. This is a part of our strategic plan and we are committed to reevaluating our strategic plan yearly.
Teamwork in Action was my underlying theme during my second year as the president. Teamwork is vitally important for this association, and I have had the privilege to work side by side, as a team, with many of you members and with your volunteer Board of Directors. We have had a shared purpose and goals and have put those into action. ASPSN is a professional organization committed to excellence. We are thriving and growing on the basis of new ideas, innovative technology, and mentoring of your future leaders. We have initiated and have available our first Webinar. Our membership is growing, and we have provided new online opportunities for continuing education. A team of volunteers has written and submitted for publication our revised Scope and Standards of Practice. ASPSN is continuing to build and maintain our collaborative relationships with ASPS, ASAPS, and other associations to the benefit of you, our membership. Promoting education and improving patient care and outcomes are just a few of the initiatives and common goals we all share.
So as I move off the board, I want to thank each of you for believing in me and supporting me. I want to especially thank my current Board of Directors, past board members, and our management firm PRRI. I feel truly blessed and honored to be surrounded by people who are committed and dedicated to plastic surgical nursing. Thank you for helping my visions and goals become reality. I know I have said this before, but I will say it again, "I am who I am because of the people that surround me." Working together, as a team, ASPSN is succeeding!