President’s Message

LaNita Knoke, RN, BS, CMCN

Summer is almost here; it is unbelievable how fast time has flown since the Fall Forum! We have just completed the Spring Forum in Orlando, home of Mickey Mouse and Company. It is exciting to see the numbers build each Spring making each conference more successful then the last. We had an excellent turn out with exciting topics and new exhibitors. It was AMAZING! Thank you to each of you who participated, and please let us know what you thought! If you were unable to join us please make plans to join us in Las Vegas in November! The networking and educational opportunities are perfect for managed care participants and leaders. Hope to see you there!

Leadership brings me to my first topic, Managed Care Nurse Leader of the year nominations. I am hoping each of you had the chance to learn about the previous winner Cheryl Slagle. Cheryl has been involved with not only Managed Care but also has been an active participant in AAMCN for many years. She has worked on many projects and committees - her latest the Leadership Institute. Cheryl has also been interviewed by ADVANCE online magazine, due to receiving the Managed Care Nurse Leader of the Year Award (publication date TBD)! What great visibility for Cheryl, her organization and AAMCN!  We will post a link to the interview as soon as we receive it. My challenge to each of you is to think of your peers and nominate someone worthy for the 2010 award.  At the same time, remember you can bring other peers to the forefront by sending information to have them Spotlighted in Nurses Notes. Let’s give each other accolades! Just send a note to Patti, Katie or I with information on whom they are and why you feel they deserve to be spotlighted. We love to spotlight those in Managed Care that are making a difference!

Previously I commented on the goals of the association and each of our involvement in healthcare. I again want to remind and challenge each of you to stay involved and make a difference. I believe it is needed now more then ever, as over the next few years there may be drastic changes in all aspects of what we do. Become active at work, with AAMCN and other groups to make your voice heard and to share our knowledge of what is needed to help patients be successful. I truly believe each person can make a difference but first you have to take the step. If you or someone you know is making an impact, let us know so we can report to others on these great accomplishments.

One way each of us can become involved is to start recruiting others to join AAMCN. Spread the word, tell others why belonging is important to you! Whether you are new to AAMCN or been here for awhile, look around and see where you would like to make you impact, there is a committee for you. We each have a valuable role to play and I am a firm believer that we each have an opportunity to make an impact.

Have an incredible summer and please let us know if you have ideas to strengthen and enhance what we do at AAMCN. See you in November!