PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Hello and Welcome HANP members

As we move into the next year, HANP looks to promote our image and our place in the Nurse Practitioner arena. Our previous leaders have continued to set the bar high. Alison Mitchell has become the president elect of TNP. Janet Hudkins is the TNP regional representative; and under the leadership of Steve Gove our membership has hit an all time high of over 300 members. In 2006, HANP had our organization’s first strategic plan, which brought together many of our local leaders to set goals for the organization. Through this strategic plan HANP will grow into the nation’s premier NP organization.

The year in review:
The leadership has evolved and changed over the last year, with new committees and new chair persons. We look forward to the ideas and projects that each of the chairpersons and the members bring forth over the upcoming year.

Secretary: I can not thank Sandi Brunello enough for her tireless dedication to solidifying HANP history with her attention to detail. It is through her dedication that the board has been able to stay focused on its many projects and goals. Thank you Sandi! As Sandi steps down as secretary, we welcome Deanne Timm into her new role. Over the next year we hope capture more of HANP’s history and plan for the future with the help of Deanne.

Treasurer: Shannon Brow’s continued work as the Treasurer has lead HANP into the next phase of growth. With membership at an all time high, Shannon continues to work hard to monitor the organization’s financial matters, which allows us to support our members in new and exciting ways.

President Elect: Please welcome Monique Lambert as she takes over the role of President Elect. Monique has already been working to bring the best educational programs to our members. With the help of the educational committee, HANP is working to bring our first CME conference to the area. It is through the work of these talented people, that it is possible for HANP to bring you up to date and vital information in our monthly meetings.

Scholarship Committee: HANP recognizes the importance of education in the promotion of our profession and the health of Houston. Last year we were able to offer our first scholarships with the help of the scholarship committee lead by Pat Ault. Pat and her committee spent hours grueling over the amazing applications from our members to select our first award winners.

Community Relations Committee: In an effort to raise Nurse Practitioner awareness, Geri Disnard has brought innovation to the organization. Through telethons, the art car parade, brochures, business cards, and many other great ideas, Geri and her committee has worked diligently to promote and market nurse practitioners. In the year ahead, we will look to Rick Roberts, as the new committee chair, to continue to bring a face to Houston Nurse Practitioners.

Legislative Committee: We want to thank Liz Godlove for providing us with legislative updates, and keeping us current in the policies that affect our practice. Taking over this role are our new co-chairs Nancy Burgess, and Alleyne Haesly. We look forward to their updates and new ideas on how to bring this vital information to our members.

Last fall, Elizabeth Shelton led the ad hoc fund raising committee that brought Houston the NP gala. We were able to raise a considerable amount of contributions for our sister organizations CNAP and TNP, inorder to provide support for legislative activities that promote our profession.

The board is thrilled with the growth of our membership, and it always looking for fresh ideas for growth and retention of our membership. In an effort to invest in our membership, a new committee Recruitment and Retention was formed at the Strategic Planning meeting. The chairperson, Lizzy Gigglioti, will lead this committee to develop fun new ways to keep our membership coming back. Welcome Lizzy!

We have had many accomplishments over the last two years, and we will continue to set our sights high. The board hopes to reach new heights and make HANP the premier NP organization in Texas. Thank you to all of our members for making HANP an outstanding organization. And most of all thank you for all that you do everyday to care for the health of Houston.

Houston’s Nurse Practitioners – Leading the Way!

Sincerely yours,

Laura Griffin, RN, MSN, CCRN, ACNP  
President – Houston Area Nurse Practitioners