I am honored and thrilled to serve as the new president of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA). As we continue to celebrate our golden jubilee anniversary year in 2023, I want to pay homage to all our volunteers, spanning the past half-century, for guiding the SGNA to be the strong organization that it is today. Fortitude, adaptability, and resilience are some of the words that come to mind as I reflect on our organization's tremendous 50-year journey through medical advancements, technological evolution, the pandemic, societal discord, superbugs, and regulatory mandates, to name a few.
A quote written by Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," reminded me of our organization's humble yet inspiring beginnings. In 1972, SGNA founding leader Marna L. Schirmer painstakingly wrote and snail-mailed gastrointestinal (GI) procedure nurses around the country, asking them if they would be interested in sharing information and networking. This is hard to imagine now in our digital era of instant messaging and electronic mailing. Ms Schirmer received overwhelmingly positive responses and amassed a database of 300 contacts. In May 1973, a gathering attended by 90 people was held at the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy conference in San Francisco, California.
The moniker Society of Gastrointestinal Assistants (SGA) was formally chosen as the name of the organization that is now known as SGNA. A year later, the first annual convention was held concurrently with the national educational meeting of gastroenterologists. This was the subsequent practice for years to come until both organizations outgrew the convention locations and needed separate venues to conduct their individual conventions. The first issue of our journal, Gastroenterology Nursing, originally known as the SGA Journal, was published 46 years ago. Regional Societies started in 1977 when nine chapters were established to give members the chance to meet and network locally. The first seeds of certification were sown by the SGNA in 1979 when an Ad Hoc Certification Committee was formed to study the feasibility of a certification program.
In 1989, the SGA changed its name to the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. (SGNA) to better reflect the composition of its membership. The journal title was also changed to Gastroenterology Nursing. In recent history, the SGNA amplified its collective voice by providing associate members a "voting" seat at the board of directors table. Through it all, the SGNA remained true to its mission, vision, and purpose. We have accomplished so much as an organization! We continue to advance our practice guidelines, best practice resources, and specialized educational opportunities to improve gastroenterology nursing care.
Ms Schirmer's forward-thinking action was the spark that ignited the flames of volunteerism for our pioneer leaders, and it is still steadily burning 50 years later. Through the years, I have heard first-hand impactful stories of volunteerism. During the pandemic, many retired volunteer leaders took over the responsibilities of running their regional chapters, while actively working volunteer leaders were dealing with the repercussions of COVID-19. For the past few months, I have had the opportunity and privilege to connect with my circle of national SGNA past presidents. My predecessors shared their poignant stories of volunteerism and defining moments during their presidential journeys. On a personal note, I caught the spark of volunteerism 16 years ago when my hospital hosted a local GI conference. There was no turning back for me from that moment on. My passion for GI nursing led me to serve my local chapter first, the national program committee next, and finally the national board of directors.
I am lucky to be mentored and inspired by so many great SGNA nurses and associates. I continue to seek guidance and coaching from my amazing mentors. I am grateful to the SGNA for investing in my leadership growth and professional development through the years. I am deeply committed to paying it forward by investing in others and my community. In my current work life, I successfully guided my team to a 92% certification rate in gastroenterology nursing. We use the SGNA practice guidelines and evidence-based resources such as the Transition to GI Nursing Practice program for registered nurses and associates to augment staff onboarding. I continue to be actively involved in the Old Dominion regional chapter in an advisory capacity. Mentoring new up-and-coming grassroots leaders is one of my passions.
Community-wide, I actively promote population health initiatives by collaborating with lateral organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the Philippine Nurses Association of Virginia. Last month, I spearheaded a multiorganizational wellness event focused on promoting a healthy colon as part of colorectal cancer awareness month. Over 100 people attended this from the Virginia Beach community. The event highlights included a fantastic oncology nutrition presentation by a registered dietician, a gut-healthy cooking demonstration by a wellness chef, a brown bag medication review by a pharmacist, and colorectal cancer screening education by subject matter experts.
As your new president, I am deeply committed to you, our members, and keeping our great organization viable. Collectively, the new board of directors, SmithBucklin headquarters staff, and I will continue to evolve the SGNA brand for the next generation. Plans are already in the works for the May 2024 51st annual course in Louisville, Kentucky, the "possibility" city.
As a community of GI professionals, we all continue to navigate and adapt to the constant changes happening in our own individual silos. However, we must not lose focus on our commitment as members to safeguard the SGNA as the voice for gastroenterology nurses and associates. Let us all be SGNA's force for good. Our organization needs us more than ever. I challenge you to stoke the embers of SGNA volunteerism within yourself and spread that spark to your colleagues! Use your unique talents to make a difference in the SGNA. Encourage your nonmember peers to join the SGNA, join the leadership of your regional chapter, and complete the "willingness to serve" form for the national SGNA committees. I am, you are, we are SGNA!