New Endeavors
By Sarah Wassink
The Wisconsin GAPNA Chapter (WI GAPNA) continues to focus on recruitment of new members and increasing engagement of current members. Last year, the chapter name was changed from South East Wisconsin to WI GAPNA to expand membership opportunities across the state.
We held five educational sessions over the past year. Most recently, WI GAPNA President-Elect Kara Adam, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, APNP, and her colleague Sheree Emmert, APNP, presented virtually on Heart Failure Guidelines during our Annual Board Meeting at the Appleton Beer Factory in Appleton, Wisconsin on June 14, 2022. We were happy to welcome three new WI GAPNA members who attended the meeting in-person.
Photo:
Katie Slusarczyk, recently elected to the new position of Student Director-at-Large of WI GAPNA
Chapter elections were completed this spring. As of May 2022, Sarah Fritz, NP, is serving as chapter treasurer, replacing Brenda Van Roosenbeek, NP. Kara was elected to the position of President-Elect.
Sarah Wassink moved from the position of President-Elect to President, and Heidi Loewe transitioned to the role of immediate Past-President. Student Katie Slusarczyk was elected to the new position of Student Director-at-Large.
WI GAPNA was pleased to conduct its first annual “GAPNA Gives Back” service project in February 2022. One hundred reusable tote bags, containing a pair of socks, a hat, hand warmers, a snack, and bottle of water, were assembled and donated to Street Life Communities (Milwaukee) and Day-By-Day Warming Shelter (Oshkosh) to be distributed to homeless clients. The bags were well-received by recipients.
Photo:
Street Life of Milwaukee volunteers distributing WI GAPNA tote bags
WI GAPNA had the opportunity to participate at the Bellin College 6th Annual Geriatric Nursing Conference, June 6-7, 2022 at Stone Harbor Resort and Conference Center in Sturgeon Bay. Former Board Member Julie Rosnowski-Olson did a presentation on Geriatric Syndromes. Many attendees had not been aware of GAPNA and were surprised to learn of the opportunities and benefits.
WI GAPNA is working on our First Annual WI GAPNA Conference and tentatively planning a conference with a focus on geriatric substance abuse in Madison for October 2022. We also look forward to our Second Annual “GAPNA Gives Back” service project.
Sarah Wassink, APNP, APNP-BC
sarah_wassink@optum.com