2009 National Conference
Summary Report of the 2009 AWHONN Canada 20th National Conference for the AWHONN newsletter
Open Skies Open Minds Open Hearts. The 20th National Conference was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba from October 15-17, 2009 at the Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel. Two hundred and fourteen registrants attended a combination of the pre-conference day on October 15, Day 1 on October 16 and or Day 2 on October 17, 2009. The conference objectives were: The conference believes that these objectives were achieved in many different ways with the assistance of the speakers, exhibitors and registrants. The pre-conference session offered seven different presentations, each offered for one-half day sessions, giving registrants to take in two different topics if they wished. A wide range of information was provided which included a research primer (Dr. Patricia Martens), infant sepsis (Deb Fraser), sexually transmitted infections (Dr. Jennifer Hunt), Baby Friendly strategies (Kathy Venter), Postpartum Mood Disorders ( Carla O'Reilly, Elita Paterson and Tania Bird), Research Issues (Maureen Heaman), and Ethics in Intrapartum Nursing (Anne Simmonds). At the end of this day registrants could attend Welcome Reception and the early chance to visit Exhibitor booths. Music was provided by a pianist and jazz trio. Day One of the conference, Friday, October 16 was opened with greetings from organization and government officials. The first key note address was provided by Kaaren Neufeld, the current President of the Canadian Nurses Association. The presentation was titled "The Next Decade: CNA's Vision for Nursing and Health". Kaaren has worked in many different health care settings. Her current position as chief Quality Officer of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has also provided her with the opportunity to support and lead the way in patient and environmental safety. The second key note address was provided by Dr. Kathleen Rice Simpson who addressed Essential Criteria for Safe Care During Labour and Birth. She covered many areas in the topic, from professional behaviour, teamwork and patient safety, clinical conflicts during labour and birth, electronic fetal monitoring, fetal safety, communication, intrauterine resuscitation, labour induction, second stage labour and pushing and many more. It was an information-packed session. The concurrent sessions on Day One covered such topics as innovations in staffing, cultural humility, methadone and breastfeeding, noise in the NICU , bilirubinemia, and using audits to influence practise. Day One ended with a social evening that included wonderful entertainment provided by singers and dancers from the French, Scottish and East-Indian cultures. A silent auction raised over $1100.00 that was donated to Sage House, a Street Women's Outreach and Resource Service and villa Rosa, a prenatal and postnatal residence. Both charities are located in Winnipeg. Day Two, Saturday, October 17 continued with excellent and stimulating presentations. The day opened with greetings from representatives of SOGC and CAM. The first key note was provided by Merelle Rodrigo, a communication, diversity and health expert who addressed diversity in health care. Her relaxed manner and presentation style gave us ideas and thoughts to celebrate ourselves as Canadians and health care providers. The concurrent sessions on this day provided education and opportunities for discussion on such wide-ranging topics and inner-city women's perception's on accessing prenatal care, antenatal depression, post-operative nausea, perinatal smoking cessation programs, bariatric care of the pregnant woman, and nursing education. The AWHONN annual general business meeting was presided over by Luisa Ciofani, the current AWHONN Canada Section Chair. The news of the process of AWHONN Canada's cessation from AWHONN was discussed with the presentation of a potential new organization and name was also addressed. All present were invited to Montreal for the 21st national conference, October 14-16, 2010. The conference closed on a very upbeat and encouraging note. The last session was presented by Linda Edgecombe. Linda identified herself as a "life perspective specialist" and offered us "Lessons to Balance and Energize Your Life". Through humour and some serious thoughts too, Linda offered motivational ideas to the audience for ways to balance and focus our busy lives. The conference committee began their planning meetings in March, 2008. It is through their hard work, the guidance of Sylvie Paquette, the support of the 25 exhibitors and the attendance of every person, that this conference was an educational, inspirational and financial success! Thank you/Merci! Respectfully submitted by Krista Boulanger and Susan Mussell
Thanks to everyone that made this conference a joy to attend.
2009 AWHONN Canada Conference Planning Committee
Susan Mussell, Co-Chair RN MN Krista Boulanger, Co-Chair RN BN Sylvie Paquette, CAE, Association Manager
Program Gail Hazlitt, Chair, RN RDMS Susan Harrison, RN BN IBCLC Diane Bourrier, RN BN MN
Publicity Rose Reimer, RN BN
Finance Krista Boulanger, RN BN
Hospitality Betty Reddoch, Chair Joyce Plante, RN BN
Exhibitors/Sponsors Linda Uhrich, Chair, RN ICCE-CPE Gaylene Kramchynski, RN BN
Registration Dorothy Adrian, Chair, BN RN PNC(C) Naomi Oldcotton, RN BN Kathryn Yorke, RN BN
CNE Zorina Chang, RN MN IBCLC
Abstracts Robin J. Evans, Chair, RN PhD PNC(C) Glenys Weisshaar, RN BScN PNCC Carolyn Hill-Carroll, RN MN CCHN(C) Kathy Hamelin, RN MN IBCLC
2009 Conference Planning Committee Conference Planning Committee Team - 2009
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