Scientific Sessions, Chicago 2006
Wow, were they stimulating and exciting this year. It is a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues nationally and internationally. This year, the program committee for CVN outdid themselves.
Two of the most prestigious CVN awards were awarded at the Scientific Sessions:
* Katherine Lembright AwardDr Debra Moser was the 20th recipient of the Katherine Lembright Award. This prestigious award is given to an established nurse scientist who has had a significant impact on enhancing the science of cardiovascular nursing. This award was presented to Dr Moser at the American Heart Association's (AHA's) annual Scientific Sessions in Chicago. This well-deserving researcher has a very impressive and sustained research program focusing on improving morbidity, mortality, and quality of life in patients with heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. Dr Moser earned a Doctor of Nursing Science from the University of California at Los Angeles and is currently Professor and Linda C. Gill Chair in Nursing at the University of Kentucky. She is a fellow in the AHA and the American Academy of Nursing. She has been principal investigator or coinvestigator in several studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and AHA and has published more than 300 articles and 2 books. Her current NIH R01 study entitled "Biobehavioral Intervention in Heart Failure" is designed to determine the impact of biofeedback-relaxation training on rehospitalizations or cardiac mortality, quality of life, intermediate (mediating) patient outcomes of perceived control, anxiety, and depression. She is also currently coeditor of the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
* Martha Hill Young Investigators AwardCongratulations to Dr Lola Coke, recipient of the Martha Hill Young Investigators Award. The Martha N. Hill New Investigator Award recognizes the outstanding contribution of these investigators in understanding, preventing, and treating cardiovascular diseases. The title of her presentation was "Progressive Resistant Training Improves Muscle Strengths, Household Physical Activity Performance and Quality of Life in Women Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation." She also received the 2006 Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Award from the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association this year. Dr Coke received her Doctorate in Nursing Science from Rush University College of Nursing in 2005 and her Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State University in 1993. She is currently an assistant professor at the Adult Health Nursing Department at Rush College of Nursing Chicago, Ill. She has received funding for studies entitled "Physical Activity for a Healthy Heart" from the National Recreation Foundation Grant and "Healthy Heart Program for Women" in Cabrini Green Blowitz-Ridge Grant from the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Ill. She has research-based publications and presentations in her focused area of research.
Advanced Practice Corner
The CVN sponsored a presession symposia entitled "Advances in the Care of the Hospitalized Cardiac Patient." It was an excellent compilation of papers focusing on difficult issues in caring for the hospitalized cardiac patient. There were more than 300 people registered for the conference, and it was received very positively. Clinical experts from areas across the United States presented on topics such as hypothermia after cardiac arrest, effective hospital defibrillation, and accurate measurement of blood pressure, to name a few.
One highlight from this preconference was summarizing the changes of the AHA guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Simply put, rescuers should push hard, push fast, allow full chest recoil, minimize interruptions in compressions, and defibrillate promptly when appropriate. High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation with fewer interruptions is the goal. The biggest change is increasing to 30 the number of chest compressions given for every 2 rescue breaths for cardiac arrest victims. The online version of this article, "Major Changes in the 2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC," along with updated information and services, is found athttp://www.lww.com/static/html/reprints.html.
Research Corner
Research Programs Funded by the AHA
American Heart Association offers many different types of research funding opportunities, and the CVN encourages our members to apply. Submission dates vary from affiliate to affiliate, so make sure you check you specific affiliate. Here is a summary of the specific types of programs available from AHA. CVN nurse scientists should pay particular attention to the Scientist Development Grant as a way toward advancing their research independence. Visit the AHA Web site for specifics regarding each program (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=9713).
Consider Becoming a Fellow in the AHA
What is a Fellow in the CVN Council? Fellows are an identifiable, knowledgeable group of cardiovascular nurse leaders with specialized expertise who may be called upon to develop scientific and position papers and to address issues beyond the scope of the council. This year, 11 new well-deserving individuals will join the other 102 active Fellows. These individuals are Rebecca Angerstein, Linda Baas, Patricia Crane, Nancy Hagberg, Eileen Handberg, Sandra Kruehl, Terry Lennie, Aurelia Macabasco-O'Connell, Catherine Ryan, Joanna Sikkema, and Robin Trupp.
Visit our Web page to see specific criteria (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3004025). Even if you are not quite ready to apply this year, review the criteria so you can work toward this honor.
2007 Awards
It is not too early to begin thinking who to nominate for next year's awards. In addition to the applications for Fellows, June is also the deadline for the following awards: Lembright Award, Excellence in Clinical Practice Award, Early Career Clinician Award, Arteriosclerosis/Heart Failure Award, and the Martha Hill Young Investigators Award (http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1082400151431awards_poster_2004.).