During the past 4 years, I have had the privilege of presiding over this Society: its governance structure, projects, products, and mission-related programs. I have been honored to work with dedicated elected and hundreds of volunteer leaders throughout my tenure; their spirit and tireless efforts on behalf of those who care for persons with wounds, ostomies, and continence disorders have been an inspiration, and the experience will remain with me always. I have been proud to represent this membership before government agencies, consumer groups, and collaborating organizations and to receive recognition and praise on the members' behalf.
The position of President has afforded me a unique perspective shared only by the 13 Society presidents by whom I am preceded. Although I will not recant the recent strides in each of the areas of education, practice, operations, and communication, evidence-based contributions during this period most certainly bear mention, as do the programs developed to support the conduct of research by members. Although less obvious, the strengthening the Society's infrastructure through bylaw revision and process improvement will facilitate obtaining its future goals. It is with respect to the future that I now comment.
No doubt you are familiar with the phrase, "the rest of the story": Paul Harvey has made it his trademark on the radio and in a book. Mr Harvey delves into the little-known facts about an interesting person or a situation[horizontal ellipsis]such as he did with John Pemberton, an obscure Georgia pharmacist who fiddled around in his basement trying to find a cure for headaches. He mixed together some fruits and nuts and some caffeine and even a bit of cocaine. He developed a brown syrup to be mixed with water, but no one wanted it. Paul Harvey then says, "In a moment, I'll be back with the rest of the story." That keeps you hanging on until he comes back with a surprise ending, in this case: One day, a drug-store clerk mixed that syrup with some carbonated water, by mistake, to help a customer with a hangover. Although John Pemberton died in poverty, today we call the brew he invented (minus the cocaine, of course) Coca Cola. Paul Harvey then closes by saying, "That is the rest of the story."
The "rest of the story" for our Society has yet to be written. I encourage you to remain attentive, to be an engaged participant, and to stand poised for the next chapter, because there will no doubt be delights and surprises for us all. The rest of the story for us will bear the mark of future leaders and volunteers and be influenced by the state of healthcare, the demands of consumers, and the preferences of the membership for whom the organization exists. There will be hundreds of stories, little-known facts, and widely shared successes-each to be celebrated. What is known about the future for our group is that it will remain patient focused: my hope is that indeed, one day every patient with a wound, ostomy, or continence disorder will have access to a WOC care provider. As one of the Society's biggest fans, I will be found along the sidelines, applauding every victory and praising every triumph.
My best wishes for your continued success.
Sincerely,
Laurie L. McNichol, President
WOCN Society