Updated 06/11/2008
Date:July 25 - 27 2008
Location:Radisson Woodlands Hotel
1175 W. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff 86001
Please contact: Debby Wood - AZNA Conference
Coordinator, for time and place
email: debby@aznurse.org
phone (480) 831-0404 ext 101
Teleconferencing is
available - please email
deniseg.link@gmail.com
if you wish to be conferenced in. If there are two
or more of you in the same area who want to use the conference call, it would be
very helpful if you could participate in the call from one place in your area.
Topics
Include:
NP Public Relations
Specialty Designation and State Board Issues
ACNP Legislative Update
AANP Legislative Update
AzNA Legislative Update
Open Forum
Many ask, "How can I help?" We
all have busy careers and families that we are juggling in order to make
a better life for ourselves. Because of this, we need to be smart in the
way we utilize our resources. To best use our talents, we have to know
what type of skills are available. If you are interested in volunteering
time in a variety of ways, please
download our NP Involvement Questionaire by clicking here (.pdf).
You may also click
here to get the form in MS Word Format. Another way to be involved
is to come to the meetings!! If you live over 50 miles from the meeting
location, email me to discuss telecommunications possibilities at ewidemark@earthlink.net.
Please join us at our next meeting!
Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council Meeting Minutes (available on request)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Available on request
Public Relations Committee: Nicole Gastleum reported there would be a special PR committee meeting after the general council meeting. Everyone is invited to attend.
Elections: Agi reported that three
positions still need nominations: President, Treasurer and Membership.
Nominations from the floor were received: Denise for President, Nicole for
Membership, Lupe for Treasurer. Angie volunteered to assume the
responsibilities of Vice President for the remainder of the un-expired
term should Denise assume the position of President.
Scholarship Committee: One NP student got a scholarship. Since
there were no applicants who were NPs returning to school for any
post-Masters study, the second scholarship could not be awarded. The
Audrey Rath scholarship also was not awarded as Mr. Rath never responded
to our inquiries about his continued participation. Discussion ensued
about what to do with these remaining scholarship funds. It was decided
that the Audrey Rath scholarship be set aside only for an NP who is
returning for study on the doctoral level and that the other two $1000
scholarships be for any level of NP study; new Masters or post-Masters.
Insurance Survey Committee: Nicole reported she is still
gathering data about health insurance companies denying empanelment to
NPs. Copies of the survey list of insurance plans were available here at
the Symposium and will also be sent out to the
CAZNAP listserve for all NPs to fill out
regarding which plans credential and/or which empanel, and reasons given
for denial. Surveys must be returned to Debby Wood at AzNA by September l.
Legislative Report: Patti reported that SB 1605 and SB 1678 are
proposed federal appropriation bills which include language to allow NPs
to order Home Health. It behooves all NPs to send a letter to Senators
Kyle and McCain urging them to support these bills. A sample letter is on
CAZNAP.
AzNA update: AzNA is still looking for an executive director.
Denise is running for a board position.
ACNP report: The next ACNP convention is 10/07. There was a letter
writing campaign responding the AMA position/proposals regarding NPs’ role
in mini-clinics. There will be a policy meeting in August regarding the
establishment of a Health Advisory Board to advise state legislatures
whenever scope of practice issues arise. The AMA continues to take a back
door approach whenever they try to control nursing issues. Rory Hayes
feels the medical society lobbyist will not support such a one-sided
proposal as it in itself is not too much of a risk for Arizona but she is
maintaining a watchful eye.
Denise has sent in an application to ACNP for the state affiliate award on
behalf of CAZNAP regarding our success in getting certain clean-up bills
passed in Arizona.
AANP report: Karen reports that the work of AANP and ACNP overlap
in many ways and for many of the same issues. Karen’s focus is now NP
Week, which is delayed by one week (in November) to avoid falling during
elections. She also reports that it is possible for us to provide
healthcare services at the state house as NP OF THE DAY. Alice Kraft has
volunteered to collect and organize NP names who can donate their time.
Since the Speaker of the House has invited us to participate it would be
unfortunate if we did not step up to the opportunity.
New Business: Paying this year’s dues to AANP was overlooked; Angie
will work with Lupe to take care of it.
The new NP directory on our new
website still needs everyone to enter their demographic
information.
Fran S. reports that her attempts to get the state Attorney General’s
office interested in restraint of trade against her were responded to in a
letter dated 7/2 which stated the AG could not take on the issue but
recommended that is we could find legal counsel we might be able to make a
case. Denise responded that she may was an attorney that is interested.
X. Next Meeting: Scheduled for 10/13/07, from 9am-noon, at ASU Downtown
campus, 500 N. 3rd St. Conference calling will be available for out of
town participants.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Summary available soon
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Public Relations Committee Report:
Linda Arters of Arters Public Relations presented her 2007 Marketing
Communications Public Relations Plan and Recommendations for the Council.
It will consist of 4 major publicity campaigns related to health issues
and not so much on the role of the NP. The fifth arm of the plan involves
a major event campaign aimed to coincide with NP week. This particular
aspect of the overall plan needs to commence in April and be ready by
August to begin pitching it to the various media. Linda invites all NPs to
let her know anytime any of us are invited to speak at or participate in
some event. Her agency would be responsible for capitalizing on our
community involvement with publicity.
Linda then reviewed the monetary commitment for retaining Arters Public
Relations and she then presented various printing estimates.
Volunteers to serve on a new Public Relations sub-committee of the Council
were then called for. Erich, Patti, Denise, Angie, Agi and Nicole then
agreed to serve on this sub-committee and to meet on Monday, 1/22/07 at
7:30pm for the purpose of planning strategy prior to NP Lobby Day.
Moved, seconded, and passed to accept Linda Arters’ 2007 Marketing
Communications Public Relations Plan and the fees as set forth, to be paid
in quarterly installments.
Membership Chair Report:
Erich announced that Kathy LuPone resigned from
Membership Chair and that Nicole had accepted the Council’s request to
take over those responsibilities.
Nicole then presented her draft of a “Welcome Letter” which would be sent
to all new NP members to AzNA. (See Attached). This was recommended by
Sandy Thompson, membership director of AzNA, at our last Council meeting
so that new NP members to AzNA would learn that they can be members of
Chapter 9 regardless of what their zip code might be. It was then
discussed how dual chapter membership is possible.
It was also decided to have AzNA membership applications available at all
schools that have NP programs.
Elections: Lupe Woodson was unanimously re-elected as Treasurer for
another 2 year term. The only position that will still need to be filled
in the fall will be President.
Insurance Empanelment/Reimbursement Report:
Nicole reported that she has some volunteers who
will get together to compile a set of objectives prior to actually
tackling this project.
Results of the Salary Survey will be available through the “members only”
page of our new website.
Legislative Update:
Patti reported that SB1100, the "clean up bill"
has passed through the Senate Health Committee. The bill’s purpose was to
change the language in approximately 45-50 areas from physicians to nurse
practitioners and physicians. Physician Assistants as a term was not
included. This bill, however, does not intend to apply to Worker’s
Compensation laws as it needs to be crafted a bit more carefully with NP
experts in Worker’s Compensation and Occupation Health providing input.
Denise suggested that each NP program have a student delegate to whom
Patti, as Legislative Chair, would communicate so that students know a bit
more about NP issues when they graduate.
Denise also let the Council know that a doctoral student will be working
with January Contreras regarding access to care. More information about
her work will be forthcoming.
There is a new bill in the Federal Senate Committee on Finance, #S59
Medicaid, to amend Title 19 of the Social Security Act to improve patient
access to advanced practice nurses and PAs.
Relationship with the BON from a professional organization standpoint:
Angie brought up her concerns that NP relationships’ with the BON is
getting antagonistic. Ken suggested inviting a representative of the BON
to the Council meetings. Denise volunteered to extend the invitation when
she attends the next BON meeting.
AANP Report:
The AANP National Conference will be June 20-24,
2007 in Indianapolis. Two Council members will have there ways paid for.
Patti requested the opportunity to go as she was unable to take advantage
of it last year and Erich requested the opportunity to go also. It was
unanimously approved to have Patti and Erich represent our Chapter this
summer.
Since NP Week always occurs during November election week, Agi suggested
that Karen and Angie perhaps present this conflict at the national level
in order to change the traditional week.
ACNP Report:
Denise will be going to the Policy Summit as our
representative. The ACNP Clinical Conference will be in October, in San
Antonio.
July Conference:
The Conference Committee will be deciding where
to hold the conference based on some responses already received from a few
hotels. Once that is done, they will begin confirming speakers. Carolyn
Buppert may accept our invitation to be the Saturday morning keynote
speaker and maybe also Saturday night at dinner to host a Q&A. Margaret
Fitzgerald is thinking about doing a review course again.
New Business: Angie announced that she had an item in the Advisory
Column in Clinical Advisor, December, 2006.
The next meeting will be the third Saturday of April, same time.
November 18, 2006
Legislative Update
Denise introduced Sheri Gallagher, Clinical
Quality Specialist of the Health Services Advisory Group. Sheri then
discussed her role of overseeing the Culture Matters Program which is a
mandated program that is part of Medicare Quality Improvement. She will be
working with PCPs across the state to pre-assess their understanding of
cultural diversity based on 14 Standards of Practice. She provides
resources for PCPs to become compliant with government recommendations
which will soon become mandated. She also will provide on-site support to
implement new practices in order to comply with these mandates. Her reason
for being at our meeting is to propose a partnership with our council and
Nurse Practitioners of Arizona. Through this partnership NPs will be
invited to participate in workshops which will earn CEs. The various sites
of NP practice will then be encouraged to participate in the Culture
Matters initiative to share data with HSAG and to adopt and implement the
14 Standards.
Patti reported that NP Lobby Day is February 6, 2007 and Legislative Day
is March 30, 2007. Arizona NPs should attend and CAZNAP has offered to pay
their registration fees as long as they are members of AzNA. It was
moved/seconded/passed that CAZNAP would support 10 NPs and 20 NP students
(regardless of AzNA membership or not). Students are encouraged to attend
the Legislative Day as it provides more of the educational approach to the
legislative process and NPs are encouraged to participate in the Lobby
Day.
Denise recommended CAZNAP write a letter to Ann Winter of United
Healthcare
Denise reported on the Governor’s Task Force on Access to Emergency Services which addressed the overcrowding in the state’s ERs. Their final submitted proposal to the Governor included the recommendation to get NPs empaneled by insurance companies. Everyone agree that this was a major coup and that January Contreras’ support (an aide to the Governor) of NPs played a large part in this successful proposal.
Insurance Empanelment/Reimbursement:
Thom Denhalter has finished collected the salary
survey data and is working with a statistician to collate it all. A total
of 386 valid responses were received which is 11% of the 3,372 (according
to 2006 data) NPs in Arizona.
Nicole recommended that we need an empanelment survey, not just a salary
survey. Nicole will create an ad hoc committee to create an RFP; she will
have more details for the next Council meeting.
Elections:
Erich announced the newly elected positions. Agi as Secretary, Patti
as Legislative Chair, and Denise as Vice-President. The next election for
the offices of President, Treasurer and Membership Chair will be after the
July 2007 Symposium. Agi will consult the By-laws for the correct start
date of the new term of office.
ACNP:
The next conference is in Washington D.C. on
February 25-27, 2007 and the Public Policy for the Institute of Health
will also be in Washington, D.C. on March 3-9, 2007. ACNP elections are
still open on the ACNP website; votes need to be casted by 11/27/06. New
representatives who will be advancing the ACNP agenda in Washington D.C.
are Gardner Carter Douglas, Robert Walters, and Ilsa Paul. These
representatives recently attended an AMA Conference where resolutions 902
and 904 were being discussed. 902 had to do with supervision and 904 had
to do with diagnosing. Initially the representatives were not allowed to
speak but after objections were made Ilsa was allowed to make a
presentation. Because of this, the resolutions were sent back to the AMA
for further review.
AANP:
The AANP is focusing on the role of the NP in
retail clinics; to get rid of protocols and advertisements that imply that
the only thing NPs do is work in these retail clinics. In short, a goal of
AANP is to work on more appropriate media exposures.
She also reported that 2 NFL teams will be airing the new public service
announcement that was recently put out by AANP.
Nominations for the AzNP Award for Excellence and Advocacy have been
announced.
Advertising Committee:
It was recommended that the committee be renamed Public Relations Committee as “advertising” actually denotes monetary expenses for ads in various media. Linda provided an update of strategic overview including corporate identification with a logo for letterhead and business cards and to create an internet presence with a new website. Also the plan to make us media savvy which would take identifying individual NPs who are experts in their various settings, both urban and rural, etc.
Linda went on to say that the original goals have
been met and the Council needs to consider phase two. We need to consider
how much we can spend, what 3 or 4 events throughout the year will be
focused on with intense planning and intense marketing. We need to
identify who the key NPs will be in order to move from a “grass-roots”
approach to a more coordinated blitz-like campaign. She suggested the PR
committee regroup itself to include representative NPs from Phoenix,
Flagstaff, Tucson, the rural areas, and the executive committee.
With regard to the website she recommends additional features to include
blogging capabilities, instant messaging, educational pages for the
consumer, and revenue raising features such as banner ads. She would like
to solicit Patient testimonials with pictures.
Nicole recommended partnering with national NP
organizations that have larger budgets or national companies such as
Johnson & Johnson. She also recommended we consider advertisements on the
website which should easily generate the maintenance charges.
Linda recommended that because of the upcoming Holidays we “take a break”
but renew marketing efforts after January 1, 2007. She will focus her
efforts on making the website self-sustaining and investigating grass
roots options that more affordable. She will structure a list of NPs and
update the overall PR plan and have it available for the exec committee
within 2 weeks.
Letterhead stationary and business cards will soon be available and will
include general contact info. Including exec committee names would be
unreasonable as the slate changes annually. Note cards will also be
printed up. Their will be a market page set up on the website where NPs or
the public could purchase items with the new logo.
Board of Nursing:
The Summit meeting of the State BON was very well attended. Angie’s
summary was posted on the CAZNAP Listserve.
July Symposium:
Erich spoke then about next July’s Symposium. AzNA has again agreed to co-sponsor 50/50. He already has a few speakers lined up. The date will be July 27-29, 2007. Margaret Fitzgerald is interested in doing another review class and we may be able to invite Carolyn Buppert as a keynote speaker. Denise suggested that since it is now a regional conference (Southern California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah) that we consider a more temperate climate. Volunteers for the Symposium committee are Denise, Patti, Angie, Agi, Erich, and Karen
AzNA:
Sandy Thompson who is
membership director of AzNA said she is visiting all the chapters. Her job
is to help each chapter maintain membership as well as get new members.
She also noted that an NP should consider running for membership on the
AzNA Board. She reminded us the current executive director, Pat Rhen, is
leaving. A new executive director has not yet been chosen. Erich asked
Sandy to provide job descriptions for the individual officers of our
CAZNAP exec committee. Sandy also suggested that our Legislative Chair
participate on the Public Policy Committee of AzNA. She will make sure
that Patti gets updates. New NP members to AzNA need to get a welcome
letter from CAZNAP to help them know they can be members of Chapter 9
regardless of what their zip code might be.
New Business:
Motion passed for Lupe to hire and accountant to clarify the IRS issues of our non-profit status (501C) as well as to help determine how to disburse the Symposium profits into our various accounts.
Motion passed to have the credit card attached to the executive positions of President, Vice-President and Treasurer so that the names do not need to be changed with each election of that office.
The next meetings of the Council for 2007 will be January 20, April 21, July 29, and October 20.
NOTE: full minutes are available upon request
Erich Widemark, MSN, RN, FNP
President, Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council Chapter 9
Arizona Nurses Association
