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Baystate Consortium Pulls off Successful First Conference It was not that long ago when a group of eight chapters, including our own Theta Alpha, formed the Baystate Consortium. One of the group's goals was to collaborate and pool its resources to produce outstanding educational programs. We are happy to report that our first Consortium conference, held at the Hoagland Pincus Center at the UMASS Medical School in Worcester, Ma. on October 2, 2004, was a huge success. On a crisp fall Saturday morning, when the sun struggled to burn through a thick early morning fog, we all managed to make it there on time, including our out-of-state speakers who were picked up at Boston's Logan Airport. The program, Health Outcomes Research: Shaping Nursing's Future for Practice and Education, featured a very strong trio of speakers. The University of Pennsylvania's Sean Clarke, RN, PhD, CRNP, CS, an incredibly dynamic speaker to be sure, kicked off the program with a powerful and convincing keynote presentation on nursing outcomes research. He was followed by our own Region 15 friend and accomplished colleague, Carol Picard, RN, PhD, CS, President Elect of Sigma Theta Tau and Patricia S. Yoder-Wise, EdD, RN, CNAA FAAN, Vice President of the American Nurses Association. Ms. Picard and Ms. Yoder-Wise concentrated their presentations on the future challenges facing nursing in the area of outcomes research. Ms. Yoder-Wise shared ANA's perspective of "translating outcomes research into public or health policy and positions for the benefit of our clients and patients". She cited four specific key examples, including needlestick legislation and safe staffing. A question and answer/panel discussion with the three speakers followed, including a lively debate on what specific number with regard to nurse-patient ratio constitutes safe staffing. Prior to the program, attendees gathered for a continental breakfast and the opportunity to network with colleagues from other chapters. The program was followed by a catered lunch that included an incredible variety of roll up sandwiches, salads, fruits, desserts and beverages. The day concluded with a fun quiz on the history of Sigma Theta Tau, an information session, and a fireside chat among chapter leaders. Congratulations and thank you to the organizers and the three outstanding speakers for this wonderful learning opportunity. Theta Alpha Chapter |