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A time to celebrate
editorial opinion A Time to Celebrate DENISE O’BRIEN,
I
CERTAINLY ENJOY opportunities to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. My son reached his milestone 21st birthday in April. We celebrated by mother’s 75th birthday in June. My husband and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary this past August. My daughter enjoyed her 18th birthday—she is now an adult (in the eyes of the law but still my baby)—in September. What a monumental year in my life! It is also a very special year for ASPAN. This October marks a significant event in ASPAN’s history—ASPAN celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. It was in Lake Buena Vista, FL, in October 1980, that ASPAN became a reality. I vividly recall sitting near the back of a large ballroom next to my nurse manager, Sheri Dufek (who is now our OR/PACU Clinical Director), listening to Ina Pipkin introduce the new organization’s leaders. I could not wait to sign the membership form—finally an association that specialized in meeting the needs of the recovery room nurse had been established. The intervening years have been filled with tremendous challenges for ASPAN. ASPAN has experienced many shining moments in its 20-year history. It has also suffered moments of misery and sadness. ASPAN has not forgotten its origins. The Society is rooted deeply by its past; however, it does not dwell in the past. ASPAN’s rich history has shaped its present existence and forms the foundation for its bright future. The Society is now
Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, Vol 15, No 5 (October), 2000: p 285
BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA
recognized internationally as the leader in education, research, and clinical practice for perianesthesia nurses. This past winter, Maureen Iacono embarked on the daunting task of documenting ASPAN’s history through the memories of its early leaders, friends, and members. What is presented in this month’s issue of Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing is the weaving of ASPAN’s history, told in the words of those special ASPAN people. The story told is loving and caring, sharing the dreams and aspirations of so many who were and are close to ASPAN’s origins. The ASPAN tapestry is incomplete. Threads of memories will continue to be added to the rich design of the priceless fabric that is known as ASPAN. Let us celebrate this special event. It is time. Happy anniversary, ASPAN. I wish you many more years of memories and growth!
The ideas and opinions expressed in this editorial are those solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASPAN, the Journal, or the publisher. Denise O’Brien, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, is an Educational Nurse Coordinator/Clinical Nurse III in the PACU/ASU, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI. Address correspondence to Denise O’Brien, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, 8383 Geddes Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-9404; e-mail address: [email protected] © 2000 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. 1089-9472/00/1505-0001$3.00/0 doi:10.1053/jpan.2000.19918
285
I
CERTAINLY ENJOY opportunities to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. My son reached his milestone 21st birthday in April. We celebrated by mother’s 75th birthday in June. My husband and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary this past August. My daughter enjoyed her 18th birthday—she is now an adult (in the eyes of the law but still my baby)—in September. What a monumental year in my life! It is also a very special year for ASPAN. This October marks a significant event in ASPAN’s history—ASPAN celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. It was in Lake Buena Vista, FL, in October 1980, that ASPAN became a reality. I vividly recall sitting near the back of a large ballroom next to my nurse manager, Sheri Dufek (who is now our OR/PACU Clinical Director), listening to Ina Pipkin introduce the new organization’s leaders. I could not wait to sign the membership form—finally an association that specialized in meeting the needs of the recovery room nurse had been established. The intervening years have been filled with tremendous challenges for ASPAN. ASPAN has experienced many shining moments in its 20-year history. It has also suffered moments of misery and sadness. ASPAN has not forgotten its origins. The Society is rooted deeply by its past; however, it does not dwell in the past. ASPAN’s rich history has shaped its present existence and forms the foundation for its bright future. The Society is now
Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, Vol 15, No 5 (October), 2000: p 285
BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA
recognized internationally as the leader in education, research, and clinical practice for perianesthesia nurses. This past winter, Maureen Iacono embarked on the daunting task of documenting ASPAN’s history through the memories of its early leaders, friends, and members. What is presented in this month’s issue of Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing is the weaving of ASPAN’s history, told in the words of those special ASPAN people. The story told is loving and caring, sharing the dreams and aspirations of so many who were and are close to ASPAN’s origins. The ASPAN tapestry is incomplete. Threads of memories will continue to be added to the rich design of the priceless fabric that is known as ASPAN. Let us celebrate this special event. It is time. Happy anniversary, ASPAN. I wish you many more years of memories and growth!
The ideas and opinions expressed in this editorial are those solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASPAN, the Journal, or the publisher. Denise O’Brien, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, is an Educational Nurse Coordinator/Clinical Nurse III in the PACU/ASU, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI. Address correspondence to Denise O’Brien, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, 8383 Geddes Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-9404; e-mail address: [email protected] © 2000 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. 1089-9472/00/1505-0001$3.00/0 doi:10.1053/jpan.2000.19918
285