Don't walk in front of me-I may not follow; Don't walk behind me-I may not lead; Walk beside me-and just be my friend. - Albert Camus, Nobel Prize-winning French writer
If any of you were ever members of the Girl Scout organization, you may remember a Girl Scout song: "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold."
Your chance to see old friends and make many new ones is coming soon as we approach our 34th Annual Convention in Chicago. Just like going to summer camp as a Girl Scout, our national meetings provide that yearly opportunity to spend time with colleagues whom you may only see once a year, but what a great time for fellowship, learning, and fun!!
Judging from the evaluations at our annual convention in Baltimore last fall, our Scientific Session Planning Committee has some big shoes to fill. Here are just a few of the comments from Baltimore.
From a first-time attendee-This was my first convention. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I cannot wait until next year.
About networking-great opportunities to network; the networking is the most amazing part of this convention; friendliest atmosphere among attendees.
Program content-the most practical, applicable information for my practice; extremely informative-it pertained to my scope of practice; topics were relevant and informative; very impressed with the quality and content of the program-great speakers; the speakers were just so very educational and inspirational; loved the high amount of contact hours offered; overall, this meeting was the best in years.
From a regular attendee-This was my fifth convention and it was the best yet. The meetings and the facilities were exceptional.
And credit where credit is due-to our management staff from Dancy, Puetz, and Associates-management company did a great job, always ready to help; always available, friendly, and pleasant; great job, Puetz staff; the staff was highly visible, working hard, and always cheerful and friendly.
Do not worry; our planning committee is more than up to the task of making our Chicago meeting better than ever. Here are just a few highlights of what to expect: The program is packed with educational, social, and networking opportunities. After optional informative workshops on Friday, October 31, be sure to attend our networking roundtable discussions. The day will end with a costume-optional (yes, it is really Halloween) evening of ballroom dancing. Anyone who attended our Spring Symposium in San Diego will certainly tell you how much fun our ballroom dancing really was.
Our ASPSN registration gains us entrance to the opening ceremony for ASPS at McCormick Place late Saturday afternoon; the keynote speaker this year is Bob Woodward. The ASPS welcome reception will follow immediately and includes a concert by the rock group "Chicago."
In response to member requests, we will be spending a considerable more amount of time at the convention center, as our entire day on Monday will be at McCormick Place. ASPSN Day at the ASPS meeting will include general session presentations in the morning, ample time in the afternoon to visit all your favorite vendors, and our annual joint ASPS/ASPSN presentation on patient safety. CEUs, networking, and a chance to visit the Exhibit Hall with your favorite plastic surgeons all in 1 day!!
Please check our convention program to view all the other informative presentations that are scheduled for our meeting.
You have noticed by now that the Great Clock, a Chicago landmark since 1897 on the Marshall Field building, is featured on all of the publicity for our upcoming meeting; and our meeting theme is "Plastic Surgical Nursing: A Time for Challenges and Changes." There is probably not a day that goes by in your own practice that you do not have to meet some type of challenge or figure out some type of change. We all recognize that nothing stays the same; and as dedicated plastic surgery nurses, we are committed to always trying to improve what we do. You will find that our meeting will provide so many ways to improve your practice-you will come home with so many ideas for meeting challenges in your practice and implementing changes. There is just so much enthusiasm generated at any of our national meetings; you will feel truly renewed and ready to meet any challenge that comes your way.
Do not be reluctant to make new friends as you reunite with colleagues you already know; and please think of your ASPSN Board as very approachable. We want to hear from you firsthand. Join your plastic surgery family at the ASPSN 34th Annual Convention this fall-See you in Chicago!!