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Congress attendees enjoy events in Chicago, including

celebration of the 50th annual

many those in Congress

Sunday, March 23, to Thursday, March 27,2003

he 50th annual Congress, a milestone in AORN’s history, was celebrated throughout T Congress week. On Sunday, March 23,2003,

four nurses who have been AORN members for the past 50 years led the processional into Opening Session, including Caquese Chaffin, RN; Maureen Pearson, RN; Sophie Sackett, RN; and Betty Thomas, RN, BS, MnSC, CNAA. Also recognized during Opening Session were the 14 AORN chapters that have been in existence for the past 50 years and the

Bill

AORN staff Wasserman,

member, escorts Betty

Thomas during the procession-

al at Opening Session.

Thomas has been an AORN member for 50

years.

Chapters that have been In exis- tence for 50 years or more were rec-

ognized. Representatives of those chapters are pictured here. (Ffont,

fiom /err) Greater Kansas City Area, Massachusetts Chapter 1, New

Orleans, President Donna Watson, Greater Cincinnati, Westem New

York State, and 10s Angeles; (back h m /err) St Louis, Denver, Greater

Houston Texas, Dallas, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York City, and San

Dlego County.

six companies that have exhibited at Congress for the past 50 years.

On Monday, March 24, attendees had the oppor- tunity to learn about the past 50 Congresses in an education session titled “A Look at 50 Congresses: Energy, Education, Entertainment.” Attendees learned that Dallas and Anaheim, Calif, have hosted Congress most often, at eight times each; Edythe Alexander, author of Alexander k Care of the Patient in Sulgev, presented at Congress in 1955; and the first exhibitors’ party was a chuck wagon dinner.

Chicago-style pizza, music fiom the past 50 years, and entertaining impersonators drew large numbers of attendees and exhibitors to Chicago’s Navy Pier on Tuesday evening, March 25. The cul- mination of AORN’s celebration of its 50th annual Congress, “Dance Through the Decades,” show- cased Aretha Franklin, the Blues Brothers, Ray Charles, and Elvis impersonators. Those in atten- dance danced the night away, enjoying an evening of fun.

Photographs from these and other Congress events can be found on the next several pages. Mark your calendars for the 5 1 st annual Congress, which will be held in San Diego, March 21 to 25,2004.

NlKKl PARKER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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JUNE 2003, VOL 77, NO 6 C O N G R E S S H I G H L I G H T S

(Right) Decked out in clothes from their favorite decade or dressed casually, mem- bers dance the night away at "Dance Through the Decades." Austin Powers emceed the event, and "appearances" by the likes of Sly and the Family Stone and the Temptations kept attendees entertained throughout the evening. The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, Inc, sponsored this event.

(From /en) Members of the

Nominating Committee, Armando Rlera, Sylvia Durrance, Sheila L. Allen, Michelle M. Byrne, and Jane H. Flowers, get into the groove at "Dance Through the Decades."

2002-2003

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Paula 1. Moore (/eft), employment coordinator, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, posts jobs on AORNs online job board with the help of Janet Mongeon. AORN staff member. This job board, called Camed?entec launched In January, and an added component, called Cametfu/c debuted at Congress. The CareerFair allowed attendees to view jobs posted on Careercenter and schedule lnter- views with prospecttve employers during Congress.

(Above) Representatives of Kimberly-Clark present the 50th Congress commemorative poster to President Donna Watson. (From left) Tom Cooper, AORN Executive Director; John Amat, vice president global health care sales, Kimberly-Clark President Watson; Joanne Bauer, president, Kimberly-Clark Health Care; Sandy Buhler, manager, professional relations, Kimberly-Clark; and Jeff Schnelder, general manager, surgical products marketing, Kimberly-Clark.

(Below) Members of the Exhibitors' Advisory Commlt- tee, the AORN Board of Directors, and Headquarters staff members cut the ribbon to open exhibits.

(Above and left) Members had the oppor- tunity to con- gratulate the candidates who ran for national office and the Nominating Committee at the Candidates' Reception.

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Nurses visit the registration counter in McCormick Place. Slxteen regis- tration clerks were available to help attendees, and an additional six people handed out bags, restocked supplies, and sorted rib- bons. Final registration for the 50th Congress is 6,993 nurses and 6,229 exhibitors. This is the best Congress attendance since the 47th Congress, which was held in New Orleans.

A new feature at this year's Congress was the AORN Resource Center, which was located next to registration. The Resource Center was staffed by staff members from the AORN Foundation; AORNs Ombudsman; Nominating Cornmiltee members; staff members from the Certification Board Perioperative Nursing; representatives from Quality Business Services; and Headquarters staff members from various departments.

Congress attendees plan which education sessions to attend while enjoying the sunny weather and Lake Michigan. expect during Congress week.

At the first-time attendees breakfast, President-elect Betty J. Shuitz (center) tells two attendees what to

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A member relaxes at the

Lifestyles Pavilion with a

neck pillow and eye pillow from

Body Sense Mldwest/Bode

Well. The pavilion fea-

tured products to enhance

nurses’ lives at home. This

was the first year for the

pavilion, and 14 companies

exhibited in this area.

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(Len) The International Receptlon was sponsored by 3M Healthcare again this year. Plctured at the reception are 3M representatives (fiont, fiom /en) i im Richardson, Rob Council, Heather Coughlan, Mattha Young, Greg Skorczewskl, and AORN President Donna Watson; (buck, lrom /en) Giuseppe Savino, Andersos Schersom, Philippe Husson, Sharon Litwin, and Joan Madlgan. (Below) Attendees network and mingle dur- ing the international Reception.

(From left) Melody Mena,

Fred Franko, Sharon

McNamara, Burke Beu,

and Janeile Coates enjoy

the Legislative Reception.

Patient Safety First teddy bears were on sale in the AORN Bookstore. To purchase a bear, call customer service at (800) 755-2676 x 1.

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(Left und below left) Closing Dinner provides an opportunity for members to close out Congress week in a fun way in the company of friends. (Below) President-elect Betty J. Shuk enjoys a dance with her husband, Dick, before beginning her busy year as President of AORN.

Caquese Chaffin (left), who has been a member of AORN for 50 years, enjoys Closing Dinner with a friend. presidential ring.

Attendees at Closing Dinner gather around President- elect Betty J. Shuitz (second from /eft) to see her

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