Closing Session

AORN J O U R N A L -~ MAY 1990, VOL. 51, NO 5

Tears, Hopes Abound at Closing Session U

y circle is ending, but yours is just beginning,” said President Carol “M Applegeet in her closing address.

During the address, Applegeet recounted the week’s events and her election to the Board of Directors at the Houston Congress in 1983. “I never dreamed that my circle would be so full or that I would stand here as your President, especially here in Houston where it all began.

“All that I had hoped to accomplish has become a reality. It has been challenging and character building, and sometimes, I was a little tired of having my character built.”

She thanked the Board of Directors; national committee chairmen, members, and liaisons; the Headquarters staff and Executive Director Clifford Jordan; and all AORN members for their support making her reign successful.

She reminded the members of the Board that their circle as leaders of AORN also will end, and they will return to the ranks as followers. “Your charge is to prepare others to assume a leadership role.”

She reminded the members that AORN’s strength depends on them. “You must renew your dedication to your profession each and every day. You must seek and reach and teach if we are to remain sucessful in the years ahead.”

“Thank you for a job well done” was the

Opposite: Carol Applegeet embraces Dr Jordan afer he presents her with the iraditional bouquet of roses (top, lefl). Applegeet delivers her closing address fcen- ter). Applegeet displays an AORN sweater, a gqt from Dr and Mrs Jordan.

dominant theme of the Closing Session. After the closing address, Dr Jordan presented Applegeet with the traditional bouquet of roses, thanking her on behalf of the AORN Headquarters staff.

Applegeet then presented D r Jordan with a Steuben crystal eagle, a gift from AORN for serving as Executive Director from 1983 to 1990. The eagle was chosen, according to Applegeet, because “the eagle symbolizes something unique and strong in our history. It has been an endangered species because it has been so sought after. Clifford, you too are a ‘rare bird.’ ”

During the presentation, she recounted some comments that colleagues made about him. “If one can look back upon a job and say it’s better than when he arrived, he’s done the job. You certainly have, and the entire health care industry network recognizes that.

“You have inspired excellence, represented us admirably, and kept us financially solvent. As you leave us, know that you take a piece of the heart of many, many members who love you.”

In his final appearance at Congress as AORN Executive Director, Dr Jordan said his tenure has been the high point of his career.

“I love nursing,” he said. “It has been good to me, and I hope I have given it something back.”

He recognized those people who served with him during his tenure: past Presidents, the Boards of Directors, the Headquarters staff, David Hahn (Exhibitors’ Advisory Committee chairman), all AORN members, and his wife, Clara Jordan.

“It is all these: people . . . who deserve recognition and credit for thie success of this Association.”

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Carol Applegeet thanks Meta Ruth Hodson (Z& and Linda Tollerud (right) for their contributions to AORN during their tenures on the Board of Directors.

Carol Applegeet introduces Mark Phippen and tells him that she wants to be the first to address him as Mr President.

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Dr Jordan addresses the attendees at Closing Session. He thanks all who contributed to his success as Executive Director.

Carol Applegeet and Dr Jordan admire the Steuben crystal eagle

presented to Dr Jordan.

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MAY 1990, VOL. 51, NO 5

Mark Phippen accepts the gavel, assuming the office of President.

Applegeet recognized the Houston Congress Local Planning Committee (chairman Brenda Gregory and cochairman Carla Willis), the AORN of Greater Houston chapter for serving as the host chapter and as monitors, and the more than 200 volunteer monitors and moderators from outside the Houston area.

Applegeet recognized those colleagues leaving the Nominating Committee-Barbara Crim, Trudy Laffoon, and Janet Lewis-and the Board of Directors-Linda Tollerud and Vice President Meta Ruth Hodson. She presented both Board members a plaque honoring their service. Hodson then presented Applegeet with a plaque honoring her service to AORN.

Applegeet also introduced the Board and the Nominating Committee for 1990-1991. She announced registration numbers for Congress: 7,582 health care professionals and 6,242 technical and scientific exhibitors for a total attendance of 13,824. At Congress, 226 new members joined AORN raising the membership total to 44,602.

As her last official act, she passed the gavel to Mark Phippen who assumed the AORN Presidency. In his acceptance speech, Phippen reviewed some of the goals and strategies the Board

approved during its pre-Congress meeting. “Changes in the health care delivery system

are coming, changes that will affect perioperative nursing and AORN,” he said. “In response to these opportunities and challenges, the Board will convene a ‘think tank’ in June.

“The think tank will identify the trends and developments in health care that perioperative nursing can expect to see in the 1990s, and then crystallize those trends and developments into a vision for perioperative nursing, and AORN.”

Phippen also introduced his “team,” including all national committee chairmen for the coming year.

“The team is complete with you, the members,” he said. “I ask for your participation and for your support.”

COMPILED AND DESIGNED BY PEGGY S. LEHR

h1ANAGING EDITOR

PHCTOGRAPHS BY PAT N. PALMER, RN, MS

EDITOR KARLANNE SINKOVIC AIITIST/TYPESETTER