As our Milwaukee chapter begins to wrap up another great year of educational programs

and chapter growth, we welcome the opportunity to provide support for our members in

the 2015-2016 year. For the members who are able to attend the 2015 National

Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition in sunny San Diego I hope you enjoy the

conference. When I have attended, I have found being in an expose center filled with

thousands of nurses awe-inspiring, empowering and an absolutely awesome time! Be-

ing able to network with nurses from across the nation and gain knowledge through mul-

tiple avenues of learning is an invigorating experience. For members who are not able

to attend this year I encourage you to connect with your colleagues that will be going.

There are many takeaways that can be shared within our local community. Partner with

a nurse who attends to implement a new, best practice he/she has learned about or

rejuvenate an existing practice. Incorporate the 2015-2016 Presidential theme into

your practice. The opportunities are endless.

I would also like to recognize our chapter’s certified nurs-

es. March 19th was Certified Nurses Day and I commend

all nurses who have achieved this level of expertise.

AACN states: “Certification is a milestone of personal ex-

cellence along the professional journey.”

While thinking about opportunities like NTI and certifica-

tion, I would remind you of your influence locally on our

Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter of AACN. Due to your

membership, participation in educational events, and the

leadership you have provided both within our chapter and

in our local nursing community, our chapter has grown

and continues to move forward in supporting the mission

of AACN.

Our chapter goal for the year was to strengthen the AACN-GMAC community through en-

gagement of members. Through the use of the Healthy Work Environment as the guid-

ing standards of work and incorporating the national theme of Focus the Flame, we have

supported our chapter’s nurses in focusing their internal flame for providing excellence

in care. Supporting activities have included offering the PCCN/CCRN review, diverse

educational meetings, engagement of membership through interactive educational

meetings, and networking opportunities. This year the educational committee has en-

hanced our chapter greatly through their support in planning educational presentations

and credit hours for membership. The chapter hosted Dorrie Fontaine, a previous AACN

Continued on Page 2

Message from the President — Andrea Klipp

American Association of Critical Care Nurses - Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter

April 2015

Volume 42, Issue 4

The Monitor

Inside this issue:

AACN Elections 2

Certfication Celebration 3

Treasurer Report 4

Reflections 5

Education Calendar 6

NTI 7

June Dinner Flyer 8

2014-2015 Board Members:

President: Andrea Klipp

Treasurer: Lyndee Torres

Member At Large: Carrie

Brandt

Secretary: Diane Dressler

Interested in becoming a

board member? Let us

know at milwaukeee-

aacn@gmail.com

Continued from page 1…

President and supporting founder of the Healthy Work Environments, in a hugely successful dinner event

that focused on resilience and nursing leadership. Mary Kay Feeney was recognized through the Circle of

Excellence Award for her years of dedication and expertise she has provided our chapter. We can look

forward to the last educational meeting in April and our annual June dinner which will feature, Dr. Marilyn

Meyer Bratt presenting “The Pursuit of Success: Teamwork and the Role All Members Play.”

Our chapter’s board for 2014-2015 has been dedicated to providing members meaningful experiences

that support our nursing community both personally and professionally through programs designed to

meet membership’s diverse needs. I ask that each member reflect on how GMAC influences his or her-

self. Have you gained knowledge from educational programs, been able to network with other profession-

al nurses and created new friendships? For many years our chapter has strived to support nurses in a

variety of ways within the Greater Milwaukee Area. We

would like to continue providing support, and I am calling

out to all members to nominate board members for

2015-2016. Please think through the value you add to

our chapter and consider participating on the board next

year. I can assure you that there is a network of nurses

within our chapter that will support you in professional

and personal goals, and the experiences you gain will be

valuable. Thank you for your consideration.

Message from the President (Continued)

Page 2 The Monitor

AACN Elections

National AACN Elections are

running now through April 20,

2015. We encourage you to

vote and let your voice be

heard. To learn about the can-

didates and vote, please to

www.aacn.org/election.

Please also spread the word

to your colleagues!

Martina Adams RN, BS, CCRN

Joanna Alfredson RN, BSN, CCRN

Mary Baerwald RN, CCRN

Paula Balestrieri RN, CCRN

Eryn Banke RN, BSN, CCRN

Linda Bay RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, CCRN,

PCCN

Michael Blanchard RN, MSN, CCRN

Mary Bolhuis RN, CCRN

Jeanne Braby RN, MSN, CCRN

David Budzien RN, BS, BSN, PCCN

Paula Carson RN, MSN, CCRN

Debra Casper RN, MS, MSN, CCRN

Holly Clanton RN, BSN, CCRN

Julie Coleman RN, BSN, CCRN

Kathryn Cummings BSN, RN, CCRN

Leslie Daugherty RN, BSN, CCRN

Jeannine Davis RN, CCRN

Elizabeth Dietz RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS

Paula Doyle RN, BSN, BA, CCRN

Diane Dressler MSN, RN, CCRN

Barbara Dunn RN, BSN, ,CCRN

Kathleen Epping RN, MSN, ACNP-BC

Wanda Erickson RN, BSN, CCRN

Mary Kay Feeney RN, MN, CCRN (A),

FLMI

Sue Fuhrman RN, CNS, MSN, CCNS,

FAACVPR

Diane Fulbright-Lamp RN, BSN, CCRN

Bobbie Glaser RN, BSN, CCRN

Sarah Goetz RN, BSN, CCRN

Lori Grade RN, BSN, CCRN

Maureen Greene RN, PhD, ACNP-BC,

CNS-BC

Beth Hammer RN, MSN, APN-BC

Patricia Haugh RN, MSN, CCRN

Linda Henderson RN, BSN, CCRN

Molly Hendricks RN, MS, CNS-BC

Jean Hogan RN, BSN, PCCN

Kay Hoppe RN, BSN, CCRN, MSN

Barb Janusiak RN, CCRN

Mary Kay Jiricka RN, CCRN, APN-C

Lauri Johnson RN, CCRN

Kathleen Kaltenbach RN, BSN, PCCN

Rada Kaltenbach RN, BSN, CCRN

Kayleen Kauffman RN, BSN, CCRN

Cynthia Kautzman RN, CCRN

Stephanie Kieselhorst RN, BSN, CCRN

Brian King RN, MSN, CCRN

Angelina Kinter BSN, RN, CCRN

Yolanda Klabunde RN, PCCN

Kathleen Koch RN, CCRN, TNCC

Kathleen Kochanski MSN, RN-BC, WCC

Joan Koehn-Fogl BSN, CCRN

Valerie Kolmer RN, MSN, ACNS-BC

Pamela Konrath MSN, RN, CCRN

Andrew Kramer RN, BSN, MS, CCRN

Joanne Krumberger RN, MSN, FAAN,

FACHE

Cecilia Lang PNP-BC, CCRN

Molly Lappe RN, MSN, CCRN

Laura Larson RN, BS, CCRN

Jim Lenoach RN, BSN, CCRN

Judith Luedke RN, BSN, CCRN

Judith Mapalo BSN, CCRN

Melissa Mark RN, BSN, CCRN

Jane Martin RN, MSN, CCRN

Karen Martin RN, CCRN

Nancy Mayville RN, CCRN

Natalie McAndrew RN, MSN, ACNS-BC,

CCRN

Pauline McArthur RN, CCRN

Debra McCann RN, MSN, MBA, CCRN,

NE-BC

Juliet Mock MS, RN, ACNS-BC

Diane Mosey MSN, RN, FNP-C, PCCN,

ANC, EMT-IV

Kathleen Muhle RN, BS, CCRN

Anne Mussatti RN, AND, CCRN

Barbara Nagy RN, BS, BSN, CCRN

Nancy Niesing RN, BSN, CCRN

Julianne Ohlert RN, MSN, CCRN

Mary Jo Palmstein BSN, CCRN

Jennifer Perez RN, BSN, PCCN

Andrea Peterson RN, MSN-ED, CCRN-

CSC

Elizabeth Pierson RN, CCRN

Jennifer Popies RN, MS, CCRN

Carrie Post RN, BSN, PCCN

Anne Putzer RN, MSN, CCRN, ACNS-BC

Sarah Rendulic RN, BSN, CCRN-CSC,

TNCC

Elizabeth Ricco RN, CCRN

Sharon Robe RN, CCRN

Ronda Roth RN, BS, CCRN-CMC

Suzanne Sala RN, BS CNRN, CCRN

Tracy Sanicola RN, CCRN

Darlene Sargent RN, CCRN, CNML

Frances Schaaf RN, CCRN

Cheryl Scheuerman RN, BSN, CCRN

Kerri Schey RN, MSN, CCRN

Deborah Schwartz RN, BSN, CCRN

Karen Shapiro RN, BSN, PCCN

Karen Shumway RN, BSN, CCRN

Eunice Simmons RN, MSN, CCRN

Allie Sment RN, BSN, CCRN-CSC

Bernadette Strickland RN, MS, CCRN

Megan Teed RN, BSN, CCRN

Justin Teresinski RN, CCRN

Darlene Testroete RN, CCRN

Benjamin Thelen RN, BSN, CCRN

Helen Toledo RN, BSN, CCRN

Lyndee Torres RN, BSN, PCCN

Rose Vanevenhoven RN, MSN, BA, CCRN

Ellan Vannoy RN, BSN, CCRN

Katherine Vollmer RN, CCRN

Linda Wallenkamp RN, CCRN

Lucretia Wick RN, BSN, CCRN, ALNC

Laura Wisniewski RN, BSN, CCRN

Dennis Wolfgram RN, BSN, CCRN

Focus on Certification

Page 3 The Monitor

Certification is a milestone of personal excellence along the profes-

sional journey. In addition, certification benefits patients and their

families, validating that the nurse caring for them has demonstrated

experience, knowledge and skills in the complex specialties of acute

and critical care. In the spirit of meaningful recognition, AACN-GMAC

would like to honor and recognize the important achievement of nurs-

ing specialty and subspecialty certification achieved by the members

listed below:

GMAC members listed are those active on the AACN website as of 3/30/15. If you are certified and your name is

not listed please visit the AACN website to update your certification status. Thank you all for your commitment to

nursing excellence. If you are interested in becoming certified please visit the AACN website for more information

and/or email me at milwaukeeaacn@gmail.com

Money; Money: Money that is all she talks about is something that I hope you all do not declare when

you think of me. I have however taken the responsibility to keep our local chapter compliant with nation-

al expectations when it comes to finances—that is part of the role of the Treasurer. It is also my respon-

sibility to look at what we can and cannot afford—be aware of our resources.

My husband laughed when I told him 3 years ago that I was thinking about being the treasurer, he had

only seen me with our money. New skills have been acquired and our chapter has maintained its com-

pliant status. I did it with the mentoring and support of

the team! We have spent money to gain valuable infor-

mation while having some fun and being respectful to

our speakers. The board has given permission for all

that we have spent so I never was on the spot myself to

make a decision and that is what has made me success-

ful. Specifically- Mary Kay Feeney, -my mentor as well as

the board members of GMAC, Andrea Klipp; Caroline

Brandt; Diane Dressler; Jeaneé Chedotte, and member-

ship committee members Holly Clanton, Mary Peters

and Marcia Anderson. Success can happen when goals

are set and you work towards achieving them (We know

this from our work teams as well).

What are your goals for GMAC?? I started as Treasurer-

elect late in 2012-13 fiscal year, took all of 13-14 to

learn the role and started my duties July of 2014. I have

accepted the nomination for the 2015-2016 year believ-

ing we will be able to help one of YOU learn the role and be a fire cracker in the future. If you would like

to focus your flame and be a learning partner with me or any of the board members or maybe an -elect

board position - then pour fuel on our flames and speak-up!

What will the returns be for the investment of your time, energy and effort? You would be such a bless-

ing to all of us as the future of GMAC depends upon having filled board positions. Great relationships,

and excellent connections for personal and professional growth, will also be a benefit. Some organiza-

tions give you clinical ladder points for having an organizational leadership position. Scholarship oppor-

tunities are also available—this year NTI registration for the board members has been approved. Please

think about what you might like to do and then speak to us about your goals. Remember it only takes a

spark to get a fire going.

One time opportunity will soon be here—minimum of 3 individuals not board members are needed to do

a financial audit as per national standards due in early July. There is an official form and process that

will be followed. You must be a GMAC member to qualify. Let me know ASAP so we can plan where and

when?

CURRENT STATE: Income: $ 1,115.00+ (Still have checks that will be deposited April 1st.)

Expenses: $3,163.83 + (One check has not presented to the bank yet)

Focus on the Treasurer—Lyndee Torres

Page 4 Volume 42, Issue 4

I was fortunate enough to attend the Dorrie Fontaine talk at the Hom Fire-

wood and Grill in February. She is such a gracious woman. She was in-

terested in every body and every story. At the table, she reminisced

about the traveling CCRN review she did with people like our Diane Dress-

ler. Another article in this newsletter will cover her talk about Compas-

sionate Care. I was struck by the buzz that was present in the room that

snowy night. It was the GMAC nursing buzz. Everybody was talking to eve-

ry body. It reminded me of some of the dinners GMAC has shared at

NTIs.

The year I was a newbie, our then president, Deb McCann, made sure I

knew that GMAC meets in the front right corner at the Super Sessions

every morning. Our mentors went out of their way to make sure everyone knew how to the most out of

the sessions and to make sure they signed up for a Sunrise Session (great breakfast and information).

We made plans for a group dinner and swapped itineraries. I learned about the Leadership Sundays.

There you can talk to every person who works in the San Diego office and all of our elected officials. It is

pretty heady stuff for a mere mortal. Their positive energy is contagious.

I value NTI. It is in San Diego this year. I do wish many of us can go. If you can go- need a roomie-and

who doesn’t want to save a little money- be sure to let the officers know. Mary Kay Feeney will add your

info to the secret master attendee list for 2015. That way, a GMAC member can be just a phone call

away. Do you know she will be the recipient of a well deserved Circle of Excellence Award-touché. That

shines a light on our chapter. Lyndee Torre penned Mary Kay’s 40 year contributions. Thank You,

Lyndee. That took wicked guts-to write a 900 word essay and quietly submit it-remember; there are 240

chapters submitting nominations. She has made this a special year for our chapter again. We are very

fortunate to have Mary Kay involved in this chapter.

We have members who quietly critique manuscript submissions, write and review certification questions,

serve on the NTI committee, others who present nationally, and some who serve as elected officials as

our chapter officers and as national figures. I am in awe of them all. I was amused one year when one

of my heroes, Linda Bay, confessed that she had goose bumps because she was meeting Joann Grip Al-

spach-the Critical Care Nurse editor! It was a pretty neat meeting. The giants in our profession are so

open, humble and willing to share information. It is all at our fingertips at NTI. I think AACN had

healthcare figured out a long time ago. We all need to share information.

But, I digress. Being a member of this chapter is what makes attending the NTI special. Nothing beats

being a member of our chapter and being at the NTI. Can I stress this enough? Part of what makes NTI

special is the bond we form as

GMAC. I wish every member could

attend at least one NTI and be able

to talk with the giants of our pro-

fession and enjoy the company of

our members. May you too enjoy

the buzz of nursing passion as we

Focus the Flame this year.

Reflections on GMAC—Mary Jo Palmstein

Page 5 Volume 42, Issue 4

Focus on Education

Page 6 Volume 42, Issue 4

AACN - Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter

PO Box 1836

Milwaukee, WI

53210

milwaukeeaacn@gmail.com

We’re on the Web!

Milwaukeeaacn.webs.com

Facebook: AACN: Greater Milwaukee

Area Chapter of Critical Care Nurses

Twitter: AACN_GMAC

GMAC is the local professional "home" for nurses in South-

eastern Wisconsin who work with patients who are acutely

or critically ill. With over 85,000 members, AACN is the

largest specialty nursing organization in the world, repre-

senting the interests of more than 500,000 nurses. The

association is dedicated to providing our members with the

knowledge and resources necessary to provide optimal

care to patients along the critical care continuum.

The goal of GMAC is to:

Uphold the American Association of Critical-Care Nurs-

es' vision, mission, and values at the local level.

Support nurses working in a variety of acute and criti-

cal care settings, whose patients require specialized

knowledge and skills to assure optimal outcomes. Our

members work in intensive care units, medical and surgical

- telemetry units, interventional radiology, emergency de-

partments, on transport teams and are faculty at ar-

ea colleges and universities.

Support includes educational programs, networking

with professional colleagues, mentoring relationships and

scholarships.

Promote quality care of acutely and critically ill pa-

tients in Southeastern Wisconsin.

American Association of Critical Care Nurses - Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter

AACN is a community of exceptional nurses.

GMAC is your local portal to that community.

Focus on NTI—Mary Kay Feeney

I am again assembling a list of names,

cell phone numbers, lodging name and

phone number, and dates in San Diego

to be distributed to all GMAC members who are attending the 2015 NTI so that we can

keep in touch. Please forward to me by May 8 the following if you wish to be included:

Your Name and Cell phone number

Hotel Name and phone number

Days you plan to be in San Diego

Also provide your email address so that I can send you a copy of the list.

Thanx – Mary Kay Feeney

Last Name First Name Cell Phone # Hotel Arrival Day Departure

Day

Feeney Mary Kay 414-202-

4503

Grand Hyatt Manchester Saturday PM Thursday PM