DDNA Chapter/Network Achievement Award

The 2009 Chapter/Network Achievement Award was presented to The New Mexico Chapter of DDNA, for its commitment and contribution to DDNA and developmental disabilities nursing.

DDNA recognizes the contribution that its chapters and networks make to DDNA and developmental disabilities nursing and this Achievement Award is designed to honor these groups. DDNA chapters and networks always work hard to promote developmental disabilities nursing and DDNA, and this year was no different. So again, the Board faced a difficult decision when choosing the recipient of the Chapter/Network Achievement Award.

The 2009 award was presented during the general membership meeting at DDNA 2009 to the New Mexico Chapter of DDNA, for its commitment and contribution to DDNA and Developmental Disabilities Nursing.

The New Mexico Chapter of DDNA was established as a network in 1999, and voted to convert to a chapter of the association in 2008. The chapter remains very active, offering biannual continuing education conferences to 60 - 70 nurses across its state. As many of you know, New Mexico is a very large state, with few large metropolitan areas. Additionally, New Mexico eliminated all large congregate living units for persons with developmental disabilities several years ago, so DD nurses often work alone when providing support services. The meetings and educational programs offered by the New Mexico chapter provide valuable opportunities for nurses to connect with others in the field and to establish networks and serve as resources to one another. The New Mexico chapter also works with the New Mexico Department of Health, providing insight and input on care issues across the state, and works to promote excellence in health supports for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Congratulations Developmental Disabilities Nurses of New Mexico!

How to nominate a chapter/network

Every active regional network promotes developmental disabilities nursing and contributes to the success of DDNA. Networks contribute to the professional development of DD nurses by serving as resources, providing on-going education, and promoting the role of the nurse in supporting persons with developmental disabilities. Networks contribute to the success of DDNA by informing nurses about and encouraging membership in DDNA, promoting certification in the field of DD nursing, and sharing experience with others at DDNA conferences. DDNA recognizes the support that the Networks provide, both to the Association and to the practicing DD Nurse. This award is made to honor a network that has been outstanding in its efforts.

DDNA Chapters and Networks make vital contributions every day to nurses in the field of developmental disabilities and to the people for whom we provide care. Some examples include:

• Successfully changing the requirements for nursing positions at an agency to require professional certification.
• Successfully changing the regulations to require certification of RNs or LPNs who complete certain tasks/responsibilities.
• Providing annual continuing education programs/conferences.
• Establishing a practice protocol to address a specific DD issue in your area.
• Collaborating with another Regional Network to develop a product that will help nurses in the field.
• Collaborating with other nursing organizations to develop standardized processes for nurses who provide supports to consumers with DD.

The DDNA Chapter/Network Achievement Award is given to an active network to acknowledge that network's contribution to and promotion of both DDNA and developmental disabilities nursing. DDNA's Board of Directors will review nominations and select the recipient before the annual conference in May 2009. The award will be presented during the recognition luncheon.

If you would like to nominate a network for the DDNA Network Achievement Award, please submit the nomination to the DDNA office. Include the following information, in your submittal:

• The name of the regional network.
• Its location (city/area and state).
• The date the network was established.
• Specific contribution to/promotion of DDNA; and/or
• Specific contribution to developmental disabilities nurses or to people with development disabilities.
• Your name and contact information (email address and phone number)
• Include the purpose of your submittal: Nomination for the DDNA Chapter/Network Achievement Award.

Send DDNA an email with the name of the regional network you would like to nominate, along with an explanation of how you believe this network has provided levels of excellence in the field of developmental disabilities nursing. Please use our contact form on the About Us page.

Nursing exemplars

Do you know a nurse who exemplifies DDNA's mission of advocacy, education, and caring? Send DDNA a short paragraph describing this nurse's professionalism and efforts and we will share it with DDNA members in the next newsletter. By sharing examples of excellence, we all can learn to better our own practice. This is your opportunity to recognize an outstanding nurse. Send DDNA an email through our contact form on the about us page. Photos are welcome - please indicate that you would like to include a photo and we will contact you with instructions on how to send the image.

DDNA's Nursing Exemplars

Andrea Zimmerman

Past Board Members

• Joyce Binder, RN
• Terry Broda, RN, BScN, NP-PHC, CDDN
• Kenda Brown, LPN
• Cathy Engel, RN, BSN, CDDN
• Pat Fohrman, RN
• Helena Haddad, RN, CDDN
• Joan E. Hahn, RN, CS, DNSc, CDDN
• Phyllis Jackson, RN, CDDN
• Marilyn Junyor, RN, BSN, NHA, CDDN
• Norma Lester, RNC, MS, MSN, FNP, CLNC
• Mary Kay Moore, RN, BSN, MA, CDDN
• Sharon Oxx, RN, CDDN
• Lorene Reagan, RN, CDDN
• Anne Reames, LPN, DDC
• Kathy Service, C, RNC, MS, APRN, BS, CDDN
• Ann Smith, MSN, RN, CDDN

Mary Gage Award

DDNA's Board of Directors is now accepting nominations for the Mary Gage Award, with the winner to be announced at the 2010 DDNA Annual Education Conference being held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. This award is named in honor of Mary Gage, RN, who resides in New York State. It is through her leadership and perseverance with the support of a task force from the New York State MR/DD Nurses Association that the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association evolved.

Selection Criteria

The nominee:

• Has contributed significantly to the field of DD nursing.
• Has persevered in improving the quality of care for persons with I/DD.
• Has demonstrated notable commitment to the DDNA organization.
• Must be an active member of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association.

Nomination Format

To submit a nomination for this prestigious DDNA award, send the nominee's name and mailing address, along with a statement describing how the candidate has satisfied the selection criteria. Please include your name, mailing address, contact telephone number, and your email address, if available.

The nomination may be mailed to: DDNA, PO Box 536489, Orlando, FL 32853-6489 or faxed to 407-426-7440. Nominations may also be emailed through the contact page. Please put "Mary Gage Award Nomination" in the subject line of the email. If you have any questions about the nomination, please call DDNA at 800-888-6733.

Deadline

Please submit our nomination by March 15, 2010. Nominations received after this date will not be eligible for consideration for the 2010 award.