Dear OASN members,

Well, the end of the school year is fast approaching and I am sure that everybody is busy with last minute charting, scoliosis checks, kindergarten screenings, and the closing of the school health clinics. This has been a fast but busy school year for me. I also have to add that it has been a great learning experience being the president of OASN. I am in awe of the experiences that I have shared with many of you over the past year.

I have been involved in several activities since the OASN conference and I want to share a few highlights with you.

Sincerely,

Kathy Inderbitzin, RN, BSN, MEd.

OASN President
president@oasn.org

Nurses' day at the statehouse was attended by school nurses, Norma Nikkola (OASN and NASN School Nurse of the Year), Renee Besecker (OASN Executive Director), Sam Whitaker (OASN political advisor) and myself (OASN President). There were over 350 nurses across the state in attendance.

The day began with greetings from Senator Sue Morano, a registered nurse that continues to practice in the critical care/ICU area. She represents the 13th district of Huron, Lorain and Seneca counties in Ohio. She understands the issues that face nurses with nurse shortages, mandatory overtime, and nurse faculty shortages. Representative Larry Flowers followed as the keynote speaker. He described the expected challenges that the 127th General Assembly faces with the turnover in the Governor's office and the shift in the Democratic and Republican representation in the Senate and House.

Next was a panel discussion from the nurse associations that were represented at the conference. These included; Ohio Nurses Association, Ohio Society of Gastroenterology Nurses, Ohio Oncology Nurses, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Ohio Association of School Nurses, The Ohio School Based Health Care Association, Licensed Practical Nurse Association, Emergency Nurses Association, The Ohio Organization of Nurse Executives, Ohio Nursing Students Association, Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and Mount Carmel College of Nursing.

The school nurse issues that were presented to the group included:

The spring general membership meeting was held on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at the Holiday Inn, Dayton Mall. By-law changes to the membership criteria were voted in. The changes will align SWOSNA membership criteria with NASN and OASN. Norma Nikkola was recognized as Ohio and National School Nurse of the Year with a state proclamation and gifts from SWOSNA. The following new officers were installed: Crystal Thornton, President-elect, Cheri Hunkemoeller, Treasurer, and Marian Doukoure, Secretary. The business meeting was followed by an inspirational CEU offering by Cea Cohen Elliot, "Celebrate, Celebrate..Learn to Dance to the Music."

The 2007 Cameos of Caring recipient is Geneva Connally. We thank Geneva for elevating the practice of school nursing. SWOSNA congratulates Geneva and will recognize her at the gala event at Wright State University in October!

The SWOSNA Board of Directors will meet for their spring meeting on May 10, 2007. This will be the transition meeting for new officers. SWOSNA closes the year with 181 members. Thirty-two southwest OASN members were present at OASN conference Annual Meeting.

The OH Southwest Regional Healthy Lifestyle Meeting in Mason, OH was attended on April 26, 2007. This is a grassroots movement to increase physical activity in OH through policy, programs and projects. Specifically, the group is looking to develop policies, programs and projects in the the areas of schools, worksites, transportation & pedestrian development, and education & outreach. The group is taking information from five regional meetings to discuss with the governor's directors this month. The group plans to roll out Ohio's first physical activity plan at a summit on February 13, 2008 in Dayton. It is important that we stay connected with this group because of their interest in schools, and policies and programs that will affect school children and school nurses.

Several SWOSNA members are planning to attend the NASN Annual Conference in Nashville. We look forward to seeing each other and our other Ohio school nurse colleagues in Music City, USA this summer!

Joan Hlinomaz , RN, BSN, MS, NCSN
Southwest Ohio Representative to OASN

The spring meeting of North West was held on May 10th at St. Luke's Hospital. The featured speaker was Lisa Pescara-Kovach, Ph.D. from the University of Toledo speaking on Bullying in the Schools-The Role of the School Nurse. There were 33 members in attendance. Following the program the 2007-2008 officers were installed.Marie Kraus was named to replace Maureen Knowles as NW Rep to the OASN Board.
The officers for 2007-2008 are:

• Laurie Gladieux- President
• Denise Kauffman - President- Elect
• Candi Hendershot - Past President
• Ann Brunning - Treasurer
• Meg Sullivan - Secretary
• Mary Schwartz - Ways and Means
• Marie Kraus - NW Rep to OASN
• Mary Beth Durbin and Mary Martin - Newsletter
• Ann Cipriani - Membership
• Jan Overmeyer - Website

Many members of NW offered to assist with the planning of the 2008 annual conference. Committees are being established and work has begun to offer the School Nurses of Ohio a great conference. Looking forward to seeing you all at Saw Mill Creek April 3-6, 2008!

Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Knowles, NW Rep

SE had a brief Spring meeting on April 27, 2007, at Cardos Pizza restaurant in Jackson, OH. There were five members present. Vice President Tammy Lorbach chaired the meeting. Several items addressed included:

The COASN Board met in late April to finalize plans for the end of the year meeting and School Nurses Day celebration on May 8th. We had a fantastic turn out for the third and final CEU event. The event was held at Gibby's in New Albany and all enjoyed a buffet. The speaker was Columbus Police Det. Thaddeus Alexander, Criminal Information Unit Strategic Response Unit. He spoke to the group of over 50 about gang issues in central Ohio schools..

A healthy financial picture was presented to the board by the Treasurer Laura Tufts. President Kate King and Vice President Mary Lee Rippl will leave the board at the end of this year as their term ends. Kate and Mary Lee have done excellent work in directing the activities of the board and the programs. The incoming president will be Lisa Kauffman from Columbus Public Schools. The President Elect position remains open at this time. Other members leaving the board as their terms end are Legislative and Professional Issues Chair Sue Casto and Hospitality Chair Chris McMahon. I wish to thank all of the COASN board members for their continued dedication and service.

At the May 8th meeting, the COASN School Nurse of the Year Award was awarded to Rachel Little of Columbus Public Schools. Rachel has served as a school nurse in Columbus Public Schools for many years as well as an OASN board member. She retires this year after a combined public service of 35 years.

The COASN membership is now at 138 strong and represents 19 school districts. Out of the total membership: 128 are active members; 7 are associate members; 3 are retired members.

The COASN website www.coasn.org continues to provide resources and links for our membership. Ginny Black will continue as the COASN webmaster.

Goals for this year:

1) To increase awareness of the profession of school nursing in the community, in the local, state and national legislature, and among school boards (ongoing).
2) To increase membership and involvement from all 14 counties within the COASN region (board looking at ways to improve representation from all 14 counties).
3) To compile a comprehensive demographic report of the COASN region including the number of school nurses in each school district, the education level of those school nurses and the number of students served by those school nurses; (goal in process)
4) To offer three CNE programs during the year. (goal met)

COASN BOARD for 2007-2008

President - Lisa Kauffman
President Elect - Juanita Smith
Vice President - Carolyn Bernard
Treasurer - Laura Tufts
Secretary - Shelly Jenkins
OASN Rep - Joan Keith
Membership Chair - Carol Lynne O'Neil
Hospitality Chair - Teri Ponzani
Newsletter - Amy Hotler
Web Site - Ginny Black
Public Relations & Library - Amy Hotler
Research - Kim Carpenter

Respectfully Submitted,
Joan Keith, RN, MED, NCSN

Nominations are now being accepted for the Ohio School Nurse of the Year Award. This award, which is the highest award presented annually by OASN, recognizes one school nurse who demonstrates excellence in school nursing practice and leadership in school health.

Candidates must be currently employed, full-time Ohio school nurses with at least five years experience. Active membership in OASN for the current and previous two years is required. The selections will be made on the basis of the school nurse's contributions to school health and school nursing practice. This would include clinical skills, creative programs, leadership, research projects, political and legislative contributions, and community and professional involvement. Evidence of excellence in school nursing practice will be based on Scope and Standards of Professional School Nursing Practice (2001, ANA & NASN).

The nomination forms take time to prepare and must involve the nurse being nominated. Completed nomination packets are due June 15.

Even if you are not considering a nomination for this coming year, take a look at the forms and criteria for selection as they appear online. It will give you an idea of all that is involved and a greater appreciation of the accomplishments of those who have earned the Ohio School Nurse of the Year Award!

While most students who use tobacco products do adhere to a school's tobacco use policy, they are most likely still using tobacco away from school - even with Ohio's new indoor smoking ban. Are youth smokers switching to another tobacco product rather than trying to quit? Is smokeless tobacco becoming a substitute for those who can no longer light up inside? Some dentists suspect this is the case, and that it may be more common in settings frequented by teens and college students.

Furthermore, there continues to be news reports citing use of smokeless tobacco as harm reduction and an alternative smoking cessation technique. Does this contention send a message to smokers that they can safely get the nicotine their body now craves through smokeless tobacco with none of the other health risks associated with cigarettes? The American Dental Association opposes the use of smokeless tobacco and in a position paper, states ".. promotion of smokeless tobacco use for any reason sends an improper public health message."

Harm reduction has not been substantiated by science or evaluated and approved by government authorities, according to the National Cancer Institute's Harm Reduction Network. The American Cancer Society's Prevention Study II highlighted in the February 2007 "Tobacco Control" concludes: "The risks of dying from major tobacco-related diseases were higher among former cigarette smokers who switched to spit tobacco after they stopped smoking than among those who quit using tobacco entirely."

The Ohio Dental Association continues to spread the message that use of smokeless tobacco for any reason can be dangerous and users are at risk for oral and other cancers. This information is available as an education curriculum in Operation TACTIC (Teens Against Chewing Tobacco in the Community). The program video, "Let's Get Real About Smokeless Tobacco," tells the story of Kevin Smith of southern Ohio, who died of cancer in 2002 at age 31, after using smokeless tobacco since age 13. His widow Tammy and 10-year-old son Tyler share their feelings about Kevin's death - and how Kevin wanted the message spread about the dangers of smokeless tobacco products.

Contained within the program module are teaching materials and activities for all ages. The module contains information, statistics, and other resources to educate the presenter and program participants. The program also contains a diversion program for offenders of a school's anti-tobacco policy. A video segment and other program information is available online at http://www.oda.org/gendeninfo/tactic.cfm.

Ope ration T.A.C.T.I.C. is $62 for the program module and video or the CD-ROM version, which contains the video and materials in PDF format, plus shipping and appropriate state tax.

To learn more or to order Operation TACTIC and/or to arrange for a dental presentation, please call the Ohio Dental Association at (614) 486-2700.

Kathy L. Woodard, director of public service at the Ohio Dental Association

NASN NEWS YOU CAN USE

2006 Annual Report

As we celebrate the first anniversary of the founding of the OASN Education and Research Fund of the Columbus Medical Association Foundation Unlimited, I thought it would be appropriate to review its inception.

Back in 2004, some members of the OASN Board of Directors discussed the possibility of establishing an Endowment Fund for the organization. The idea was that any OASN scholarships or awards to be given would fall under this Fund. It would also provide a means for individual or organizational tax deductible donations being accepted through out the year, as well as making available an established process for setting up a future legacy donation.

After investigating the establishment of an Endowment Fund on our own, it was decided that our most prudent choice would be to become affiliated with the Columbus Medical Association Foundation Unlimited. CMAF was established in 1958 as a health education foundation. Their organization exists as "a unique partnership between physicians and the community to help solve health problems" and offers an established method for individuals or organizations to donate money to health related issues. Then after close review, monetary gifts are given as grants to health related organizations which address the critical health care issues for people in the local area.

CMAF is one of the nation's largest medical association- affiliated endowments, awarding nearly $17 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since 1992. Their focus is on prevention and youth.

In May 2006, under the umbrella of CMAF, the OASN Education and Research Fund was established. Its stated purpose is to: "promote optimal wellness among Ohio's school children and their communities through leadership education, research, training and the support of the practice of school nursing. Funds may be used, but not limited, to supporting continuing education, scholarship awards, and for research related to the practice of school nursing."

The $500 Patricia M. Baum Educational Scholarship and the $500 Carolyn Azbell Research Award fall under the umbrella of our Fund. When making a donation, one may stipulate to which category the donation is to be applied or if one wishes it to go to the unrestricted area. OASN also gives a raffle award to a conference attendee in the sum of $500 to be used to help offset the expense of attending the NASN conference. There is an OASN Education and Research Fund Advisory Committee, appointed by the President, which is authorized to recommend distribution from the fund to fulfill the fund's stated purpose. There is also an Endowment Workgroup which plans the annual banquet.

Donation Cards are available from members of the OASN Board and the Endowment committee, may be obtained at regional meetings and are also posted on the OASN webpage (www.oasn.org) . Direct CMAF donations are accepted through this method and credit cards may be used as a monetary source of the donation. There is also detailed information on the web regarding how to set up a Legacy for OASN.

During 2006, our Fund received 85 donations which brought the total amount recorded by CMAF in the fund to $13,347.52. All donors receive an Endowment Pin, with the 85 first year donors, considered CHARTER members.

The committee also established the following levels for giving:

New Angel: Those donating up to $100

Angel of Caring: Those giving from $100- $500

Angel of Sharing: Those who donated $500- $1,000

Angel of Mercy: Those giving $1,000 and above.

These categories are cumulative over the years and a total individual tabulation will be confidentially kept on file by the Endowment Chair.

Our first annual Endowment Banquet was held on March 31, 2006 and attended by 40 active and retired OASN members. The program presented by Pat Baum, Gail Pohlman and Nancy Mosca was entitled "The Past, Present and Future of School Nursing."

The Endowment committee and the OASN Board would like to thank the many school nurses and friends of school nursing who have contributed to making our first year with our Endowment Fund such a success!

Norma Nikkola, Endowment Chair
nnikkola@earthlink.net Donate online

Hi, I'm Kim Toole, the new membership chair for OASN. I have been in public health and school nursing since 1980. As a nursing supervisor with the Cincinnati Health Department I help oversee the School Health Program for Cincinnati Public Schools and have school nurses in 49 elementary schools. Still working on those high schools! We are currently busy with the district's preparedness plan for panflu and crisis response, collaborating with the University of Cincinnati on stroke and obesity prevention, and working with Growing Well Cincinnati to ensure access for all students to dental, medical and mental health services as well as comprehensive health education programming. I am also active with the Collaborative to Prevent Childhood Obesity, establishing functioning wellness teams in all our schools, and work with a team from Children's Hospital Medical Center and four school-based health centers on improving asthma care in schools.

I received my diploma in nursing from Jewish Hospital School of Nursing and my BSN and MSN as a PNP from the University of Cincinnati. I live in Cincinnati with my husband and two daughters. My oldest is graduating from OSU this summer (Go Bucks!) and my youngest is a junior in Cincinnati Public Schools. I have no spare time so have no hobbies or special talents! Just love school nursing and would like to be practicing when it is mandated and funded in the State of Ohio. I am looking forward to being on the OASN Board and helping to promote the wonderful work school nurses do. Hope to see you in Nashville!

Kim Toole RN, MSN, NCSN
Nursing Supervisor
Cincinnati Health Department
2136 W. Eighth St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45204
voice (513) 357-2810
fax (513) 357-2811
kim.toole@cincinnati-oh.gov

School Nurses from Little Miami and Kings Local School Districts (Southwest Ohio) recently partnered together to present a Community Health Fair held at Little Miami High School on February 9th. The health fair was held during basketball games with Little Miami playing Kings and was a great success!

The fair featured a Kid Zone with games and health information. There were blood pressure, glucose, BMI, and cholesterol screenings done along with free chair massages, healthy food taste-testing, and about two dozen informational booths.

Brit Burlile, a school nurse with Little Miami schools, was quoted in a newspaper article in regards to this event.

Following is a part of what was in the article. "We're excited to be promoting the fact that both school districts employ licensed school nurses who are trained specifically in concerns and issues for kids in schools. We do more than put band-aids on kids. Little Miami and Kings Nurses have four-year degrees plus additional training to become licensed as school nurses. As such they promote health education, disease prevention, and perform other health related tasks. The health fair is an outgrowth of that."

Pictured in photo from left to right: Lois Wiethe, Eva Garchar (Kings School Nurses), Crystal Thornton, Leslie Reed, Brit Burlile, and Jessica Dorsa (Little Miami School Nurses)