The National Association of Bariatric Nurses: 7th Annual Conference

The National Association of Bariatric Nurses
7th Annual Conference
Norfolk, Virginia, September 29–October 1, 2010

by Laurie D. McGinley, MS, CNS-BC, APN, CBN

Author affiliation: Ms. McGinley is the Bariatric Nurse Manager at Western Bariatric Institute of Reno, Nevada. Ms. McGinley has served as Vice President and President Elect of NABN and currently serves as President. She has worked in the hospital setting as well as office based.

Bariatric Times. 2010;7(9):15

The National Association of Bariatric Nurses (NABN) is pleased to announce the upcoming 7th annual meeting and conference to be held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriot in Norfolk, Virginia from September 29–October 1, 2010. The event will lead with an evening business meeting followed by a reception and exhibit viewing, which will allow time for networking with other health professionals as well as vendors.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Doing All We Can Do: Dialoguing Together.” Much thought went into planning this event, making use of every minute. Thursday will begin with a Focused Exchange during the continental breakfast. This is a new venue for NABN, and attendees will have the opportunity to discuss public policy concerning obesity, mentoring, and nursing research over morning coffee. Attendees should feel free to move from discussion to discussion as they choose. The intent is a very informal, free-flowing educational exchange.
After breakfast, Karen A. Karlowicz, EdD, RN, Associate Professor and Chairperson, Old Dominion University School of Nursing, will give opening remarks and greetings from Norfolk. The NABN is pleased, once again, to have involvement from the local educational institutions. It has been of great value at past conferences to have local points of interest brought to light. This will allow attendees to make use of the free time at the end of the day—giving them an opportunity to see what Norfolk has to offer.

Dr. Gregory Germino, Deputy Director, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, will present a Keynote address titled “Dia-besity: Converging Problems, Emerging Science.” Other topics of the day include, “Dialogue on Assessment of Size,” led by Harpreet Gujral, RN, MSN, CRNP, CBN, “Dialogue on Safe Patient Handling,” led by Susan Gallagher-Camden, RN, MSN, MA, PhD, CBN, HCRM, and “Dialogue and Panel Discussion on Patient Support,” led by Amanda Budak, RN, MSN, CBN.

Thursday will be a full day with numerous opportunities for attendees to share materials from their individual practice areas, as well as to solicit information from others. Friday offers another opportunity for Focused Exchange over breakfast with topics including, “Integrating Bariatric Education into the Curriculum” and “State Chapter Development.” These are the selected subjects due to previously expressed NABN member interest.

Following a welcome speech by Arlene J. Jackson, PhD, RN, Dean of Hampton University School of Nursing, the agenda will move to discuss incidence of breast cancer in the obese population. Melissa Craft, PhD, AOCN, will present “Obesity and Breast Cancer: What We Know, What We Think, and What We Have Yet to Learn.” Melissa has a 30-year oncology background and will provide an opportunity for questions and answers after her formal presentation.

Once again included in the final half day of the conference will be invited paper presentations and posters. Traditionally, this has been a very popular part of the gathering, generating a flurry of questions. Anticipate publication of abstracts from both podium and poster presenters in the Spring issue of Bariatric Nursing and Surgical Patient Care. This year, invited posters will be displayed during the entire conference to allow everyone time to view.
The closing presentation will be “Dialogue on Metabolic Syndrome,” led by Harpreet Gujral, RN, MSN, CRNP, CBN. Closing remarks will be given by incoming President Sharon Sarvey, PhD, RN, and will include the announcement of the conference site for 2011. The 7th Annual Meeting and Conference will definitely be a “can’t miss” opportunity for health professionals with an interest in bariatrics. I hope to see you there!

Category: Past Articles, Symposium Preview