2008 LEAD Summit and American Nurses Association House of Delegates Meeting Held in Nation’s Capital During the week of June 22, more than 600 nurses from around the country assembled in Washington, DC, for the 2008 LEAD Summit and American Nurses Association (ANA) House of Delegates (HOD) meeting. Both events were held at The Washington Hilton and Towers. The theme for the LEAD Summit, sponsored by the Center for American Nurses and held June 23-24, was “Transforming Work Environments: Centered by Vision…Powered by Knowledge.” Speakers included: Dr. Tim Porter-O'Grady, DM, EdD, ScD (h), FAAN, noted for his work on shared governance models, clinical leadership and conflict, who presented his vision of healthcare delivery models of the future; Dr. Audrey L. Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN, Director of the Veterans Affairs Patient Safety Research Center, provided a presentation on "Cracking the Code of Patient Falls"; and Colonel (Dr.) John S. Murray, PhD, RN, CPNP, CS, FAAN, President of the Federal Nurses Association (FedNA), spoke on “Workplace Abuse in Nursing: A Problem That Can’t Be Ignored.” Since January 2006, FedNA has advocated for greater protections for nurses who speak out about abuse, harassment and unethical behavior in the workplace. FedNA has proposed that critical protections be instituted for nurses who speak out against workplace abuse and hostile work environments. The purpose of Dr. Murray’s presentation was to highlight the problem of workplace abuse, the evolution of whistleblower legislation and current legislation efforts to protect nurses who report unethical work environments. FedNA was represented at the 2008 LEAD Summit by Lieutenant Colonel Corinne Naughton, Director (Air Force) and Director (at large), CDR Harry Smith, NC, USN. June 25-27, the ANA held its HOD meeting. FedNA was represented at the HOD meeting by Colonel John Murray, USAF, CAPT Julie Sadovich, USPHS, and LCDR Sue Larkin, USPHS. During the opening ceremony, CAPT (Dr.) Julie M. Sadovich, NC, USPHS, led the delegates in saying the pledge of allegiance. Also during these 3 very busy days, 14 proposed bylaws amendments ranging from broadening the definition of an organizational affiliate to provide for Organizational Affiliate status for LPN/LVN organizations, to use of electronic media as one of the methods ANA can use to conduct its business, were discussed. Additionally, 13 reference reports were discussed including topics such as human trafficking, establishing the need for registered nurses to understand the seriousness and significance of human trafficking in order to recognize the impact on public health and respond accordingly, to topics such as healthcare availability for veterans and their families. The latter reference report was written by the New York State Nurses Association in consultation with FedNA and the Federal Nursing Service Corps Chiefs. The reference report, in summary, notes the following actions: The ANA will: 1. Collaborate with FedNA, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advance healthcare services and research for the healthcare needs of Veterans (which would include their family). 2. Collaborate with FedNA, DoD, VA, and HHS to promote awareness of Veterans' healthcare access and services. 3. Advocate for recognition of current efforts supporting integrated healthcare services for Veterans and work toward strengthened care coordination among Federal and non-Federal agencies. 4. Collaborate with Offices of Nursing Services in the Federal Services, including direct care nurses, to recognize nurse-led innovations improving healthcare services and Veterans' outcomes. This action proposal was approved by 99 percent of the over 600 delegates in attendance at the HOD hearings. Senator Hillary Clinton and ANA President Rebecca M. Patton at 2008 HOD Meeting Additionally, a report was given to the delegates on updates from the Federal Nursing Service Chiefs which was provided by RADM (Dr.) Carol Romano, Chief Nurse Officer of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. RADM Carol Romano (center) with CAPT Julie Sadovich and LCDR Sue Larkin at 2008 HOD Meeting Following RADM Romano’s briefing, Colonel (Dr.) John S. Murray participated in ANA’s tribute to those nurses who died since the last HOD meeting. Colonel Murray asked the delegates to remember all our fallen comrades including nurses Lieutenant Colonel Richard Berrettini and Captain Maria Ortiz who lost their lives while caring for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also asked the delegates to remember those who continue to courageously serve our great Nation. Colonel John S. Murray, FedNA President, recognizes fallen comrades at 2008 HOD Meeting

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