Welcome to 2010 and the 25th anniversary of AAMSS. What a long way we’ve come in 25 years. I would like to thank all of the past presidents for their service over the past 25 years. Our organization would not be where it is today had it not been for them: Leslie Weigt – Interim Founding President, Lola Good – First President, Barbara Burnell, Shirley (Nimsky) Nash, Gloria Aronoff, Elaine Hugunin, Mary Lou Erwin, Camie Overton, Carol Scott, Becky Roell, Cindy Corsbie, Sandy Elcock, Gloria Aronoff, Darcy Weirich, Teresa Cordeiro, Jan LeFevre, Stephanie Davee, Patti Hull, Karen Salas, Leilani Wilson. Thank you all.
Under Leilani Wilson’s leadership in 2009, AAMSS achieved many mile-stones including becoming incorporated. AAMSS also developed a Government Legislation position in which Christi Irwin has played a key role. This will ensure that AAMSS will be involved in any upcoming legal issues; in particular state-wide applications. The Southern Arizona chapter of AAMSS was revived and is led by Jan McIntyre. 2009 also included the addition of two new venues for educational opportunities for our members; the website and the AAMSS Newsletter. Thank you for your leadership, Lani!
2010 will offer many new and exciting opportunities for the Association. Those that were able to attend the Annual Spring Conference: “25 Years!Looking Back and Moving Forward” found the information very useful and timely. In particular, members had very positive comments for the presentations: “How to Interpret a Certificate of Insurance”- Mary Stone, CIC, DEA Diversion – Understanding the Responsibilities of the Diversion Unit” – Gary Linder; DEA Diversion Investigator, “Assertive Communication in the Healthcare Setting” – Heather Ferguson, PhD,“ADA Act in Peer Review – Aging and Impaired Physicians” – Karen Owens; Coppersmith Schermer & Brockelman PLC,and “2010 Joint Commission Medical Staff Update” – John Herringer II, RN, MS; Standards Interpretation Group. A very special thank you goes out to Lisa Rojo and the Education Committee for one of the best conferences AAMSS has hosted!Of the comments received from attendees, 95% were very positive!
Thenext AAMSS Networking Social is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, 2010at Aunt Chilada’s on from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.The Networking Socials are a great way to meet individuals within our organization and to put a face with a name. If you email or call someone fairly frequently and have never met them in person, take advantage of this opportunity to get to know them personally.Aunt Chilada’s offers free appetizers and a no-host bar. Please plan on joining us!
The New Year is the roll out of a new decade and the beginning of the next 25 years for AAMSS. During this year the Board is working on:
On line payment method for dues and conferences and workshops
Broaden AAMSS membership throughout the State
Develop a state-wide application
Hold a workshop and/or sponsor a webinar that would reach members outside of the Phoenix area
AAMSS is committed to continuously seeking input from its members and then acting on that input. Please feel free to contact anyone on the Board with any ideas, comments and/or suggestions you may have.For those of you unfamiliar with the current AAMSS Board of Directors, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce everyone:
Mary Heller - President 2010, President Elect 2009, Newsletter Co-Editor – 2008 –
Christi Irwin - President Elect – 2010, Member-at Large 2008-2009, Membership/ Government Legislation Chairman 2008 – 2009
Leilani Wilson - Past President 2010, President 2009, President Elect 2008, Member-at-Large (Website Chair) – 2006 -2007
Margie Arend - Secretary 2008 – 2010
Kelly Brillhart - Treasurer 2010 – 2011
Lisa Rojo - Education Chairman 2008-2010, Social Network Chairman 2008 – 2009, Member-at-Large 2007 – 2008
Jan McIntire - Southern AZ Chapter President2009 – 2010, Member-at-Large2010 – 2011
Additionally, I would like to thank Karen Salas, Carol Garrison and Mary Lou Erwin, each of whom helped move AAMSS forward in a very positive direction and volunteered many years of service to the organization:
Karen Salas –Past President 2009, President2008, President-Elect 2007
Carol Garrison – Treasurer2007 – 2009
Mary Lou Erwin -Member-at-Large2008-2009
Thank you all. I look forward to serving the AAMSS membership this year.
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