“The conference was topnotch and well-rehearsed,” says Ginny McCann, Nurse Educator at Women’s and Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. “I always judge a conference on what new ‘pearls’ (of wisdom) I have taken away and this year there were many. I was most impressed with Dr. Susan Ludington’s research regarding quiet sleep fostering brain development through the use of Kangaroo Care.” Jay Goldsmith’s lecture on oxygen targeting and improvement in respiratory care was also center stage for many attendees including Jody Ridky, RN, of Clarksville, Maryland, “Imagine significantly decreasing ROP and CLD by changes in practice!” (For more information on these subjects, go to “Neurophysiologic Assessment of Neonatal Sleep Organization: Preliminary Results of a Randomized, Controlled Trial of Skin Contact With Preterm Infants” in Pediatrics 117(5): 909–923, and “What is on the Horizon for Neonatal Resuscitation?” NeoReviews, 2001, E51–57.)

This year’s $1,000 Academic Scholarship Award goes to Carolyn Terry, RNC, BSN. Carolyn is attending State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she plans to complete her master of science degree and the neonatal nurse practitioner program in June of 2008. Lori A. Escallier, PhD, RN, CPNP, clinical associate professor at Stony Brook, wrote, “Ms. Terry’s academic ability has proven outstanding. She is a leader among her colleagues and is an example of the epitome of nursing. She is industriously conscientious of the ever-changing health care environment and leads through example.”

Come join us in sunny Phoenix! Conference planners have organized a fantastic lineup of professionals from across the U.S. to share the latest in neonatology and neonatal nursing for the 9th National Neonatal Nurses Conference. A sample of our speakers include Susan Ludington, CNM, PhD, FAAN, famous for her 1970s groundbreaking work in infant stimulation and in kangaroo care in the 1980s. She will share her newest studies regarding neonatal neurointensive care and how your care affects the infant’s brain. Biostatistician Dr. Mary Z. Mays will help guide the way to clinical decision making based on journal data with tools to determine whether evidence is statistically significant and clinically meaningful in her Monday afternoon workshop, “Statistics for Clinicians.” Preconference workshops include simulation techniques, pharmacology, leadership skills… and so much more! Check out the full conference schedule by going to academyonline.org or neonatalnetwork.com, and register today!

The Foundation for Neonatal Research and Education (FNRE), supported by The Academy of Neonatal Nursing, is a nonprofit organization that offers grants and scholarships for neonatal nurses to advance their practice through research, evaluation of patient outcomes, and education. FNRE is dependent on support from donations and welcomes contributions from individuals, families, and corporations. Donations are also accepted to memorial funds. Please think of the FNRE when considering contributions this holiday season. More information and contribution forms can be found at www.inurse.com/fnre. Thank you!

The Academy of Neonatal Nursing Executive Committee has appointed three new Committee members representing neonatal nursing care and policy from the east, west, and central U.S.: Annette Carley, RN, MS, NNP-BC, PNP-BC, from San Francisco, California; Jan Thape, RN-NIC, MSN, from Norfolk, Virginia; and Jobeth Pilcher, EdD, RNC-NIC, from Dallas, Texas. These neonatal nursing leaders have volunteered their time and expertise to represent ANN members. Thank you and congratulations!

This year’s conference lineup is definitely one of our best yet! Just a sampling of evidence-based topics and discussions includes “Proteomics: The Future of Neonatal- Perinatal Medicine,” “Boggy Baby Syndrome,” “Mortality and Morbidity Related to Multiple Births,” and “Cytokines: What Are They and What Do They Do?” Earn an additional 2.5 continuing education credits by signing up for the lunch and breakfast symposiums. The Friday lunch symposium, “How to Interpret a Cochrane Review,” presented by Sharyn Gibbins, PhD, will address a systematic and meaningful approach to interpretation of evidence. Dr. Gibbins is the head of interdisciplinary research and evidence-based practice at the Sunnybrook Health Science Centre in Ontario, Canada. Saturday’s breakfast symposium, “Workforce Issues for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners,” presented by Margaret Steinbach, RN, MSN, ARNP, vice president of advanced practitioners of the Pediatrix Group in Sunrise, Florida, will tackle workforce issues including benefits, salary, and staffing requirements in the face of a nursing shortage. Purchasing tickets for both together saves you $5.

There is still limited space available for the 4th National Advanced Practice Neonatal Nurses Conference at the Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii. Internationally recognized guest speakers will share their latest findings on a wide range of current neonatal topics, while the afternoons will be free for participants to enjoy the splendors of beautiful Hawaii. Academy members will receive a discount on conference tuition. Save more by recruiting a member!

The Academy of Neonatal Nursing is proud to announce the winners of our first Excellence in Neonatal Nursing Practice Award. Many nurses from around the country were nominated for demonstrating a strong commitment to their patients and for showing creativity, intelligence, perseverance, and unbending will to do their best. This year’s co-recipients are Luzviminda C. Jusayan, RN, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Amy Nagorski Johnson, DNSc, RNC, of Newark, Delaware.

Nurses who attended the 9th National conference in Phoenix had this to say:

“Thank you for one of the best conference I have ever attended (I am old and have attended many!). I am already considering a project and poster for next year! Keep up the good work—patients need nurses to have such good resources!”