The local board met for a meeting 1/27/16 to discuss our goals for the Fredericksburg group in 2016 and discuss planning long range events.

We will be hosting our “After the Holidays” gathering for all our Fredericksburg VCNP members on 2/20/16 at the Idlewild clubhouse, 2280 Idlewild Blvd in Fredericksburg.  All members are invited and encouraged to bring another member, student, or a potential future member to the party.  We hope to host at least 30 people.  Basilico will be catering.

We discussed our desire to be more involved with philanthropy projects in the future.  Please bring any and all ideas for possible organizations we could contribute to in some way in 2016 to the post holiday gathering as well!  We can brainstorm and tentatively plan some future projects/donations.

Our legislative chair updated us on the NP bills that are going before the VA General Assembly.  There are 5 NP bills that will be introduced concerning the collaborative practice agreement requirement in VA.  Full support of these bills by all members is important and has included emails that could be forwarded to legislators.

Discussion was held regarding how often we should have Fredericksburg Region VCNP meetings.  They have been held every month for the past few years because of the large number of pharmaceutical reps that were interested in hosting and speaking with NPs.  The reps who are able to do this have dwindled, and there was discussion of whether we should pay for our own meals and have a business meeting, whether we could apply for CE’s again and pay for our meals, or whether our limited number of reps could host a meeting, provide the meal and give a sponsored lecture.  Discussion was held regarding continuing monthly meetings during the year and taking the summer off.  We will discuss and vote at our next planned meeting whether to continue meeting with sponsored meals and lectures every other month.

The treasurer reported we now have consolidated our checking, savings and CD into one account.  We have enough money to host the holiday gathering, discuss yearly philanthropy projects and plan another local CE conference possibly for May of next year.

Submitted 2/1/16 JPSF

The Fredericksburg Region hosted a successful legislative reception on October 5, 2015.

Senator Bryce Reeves, Senator Stuart’s legislative assistant Dale Herndon, Delegate Bill Howell, Delegate Buddy Fowler, CEO of Mary Washington Hospital Mike McDermott, Douglas Shulte, MD and the VCNP lobbyist Richard Grossman were there with about 40 advanced practice nurses to discuss access to care and barriers to healthcare access.

The Fredericksburg Region presented a free conference for it’s members on November 7, 2015.  Local speakers were: Cherie Wright, NP on Sleep apnea and insomnia, John House, NP on Hepatitis C, Dr Michael Bias Smith on pain management and palliative care, and Sherry Hayes on aortic stenosis.

The next VCNP conference is in March 9-12, 2016 at the Homestead in Warm Springs VA.  Make your room reservations now for lower prices.

The new VCNP website is up and running.  (Which is obvious if you are reading this!)

NPs are still working on aspects of prescriptive authority.

Republicans maintain control of the senate.

The Fredericksburg region has 68 members.

Consider volunteering to be on the board- bring your new ideas and energy!

The next meeting is at The Mercantile on William Street 12/14/15.

We considered having a holiday party.  After discussion, February was a better month to gather for a post-holiday party.  We will discuss possible locations, dates and times a the next meetings.

Submitted 11/15/15 JPSF

Meeting Date: August 10, 2015

The Fredericksburg VCNP regional meeting took place at La Petite Auberge.  Our treasurer report was given.

Our next program will be on Alzheimer’s, place to be announced.

Karen reminded us to renew on line if we know our VCNP dues are due.  This will save money if it is done before the mailing goes out.

Timmes reports the state conference is still looking for speakers.  It will be located at the Homestead this year.

Our legislative reception is set for 10/5/15.  we have 3 yes RSVPs so far.  Timmes is set for the catering.

The local fall conference is set for 11/7/15 in the Thompkin-Martins Medical plaza at Mary Washington Hospital, classroom A and B beginning at 7:45.  This will give the Moss Free Clinic time for a short presentation.  There has been no contact back from Dr Suthar on a pain management presentation.  Michelle Porthouse will reach out to Dr Byas-Smith to speak on pain instead.

The topic was on Ofrezza, the new inhaled insulin by an Endocrinologist from Northern VA.

After the business meeting, discussion was held regarding donating to the PAC for the VCNP.  It was unanimous that we would like to donate as a group.  $200.00 was the amount decided for the donation.  Tiffany will send it in.

Submitted 8/12/15 JPSF

Meeting Date: July 13, 2015

7/13/15  VCNP Fredericksburg VA regional meeting:

The legislative reception is set for 10/5/15 from 6-8pm at the Moss Free Clinic in Fredericksburg.  A Home page announcement was posted for this on the VCNP website.  So far, Mark Coles has said he will attend and Mr Stuart is a maybe.  Lisa from Public Relations will see if the Board of Nursing will give us a listing of local NPs so we can invite them all to the reception.  An invitation will be posted at Mary Washington Hospital.

Karen from Membership stated we have #74 NPs in our region.  The goal of the entire VCNP is to increase membership by 50% and there was discussion of possible scholarships or tuition paid to conferences if they sign up as a VCNP member.  The members present agreed that we would not like the idea of obtaining money from pharmaceutical companies for this.  We also agreed that when CEUs were offered for the monthly programs, the attendance was about double what it is presently.

Pratt Medical Center is now Sentara.

The local Fredericksburg Fall conference is set for 11/7/15 and will be free to all VCNP members.  Debi Rhodes from The Moss Free Clinic has requested to speak for the first 10 minutes about their purpose and theie need for volunteers at the clinic.

Dr Hines, GYN; Dr Mercado, OBGYN; Dr Harrington, family practice; and Reese Medical Center, family practice; are all looking for NPs.

The Pharmaceutical presentation was given on Horizant for Postherpetic Neuralgia.

The next meeting is on Diabetes and will be at La Petite on 8/10/15.

Submitted 7/20/15 JPSF

Meeting Date: September 14, 2015

The regional VCNP Fredericksburg meeting was held at the Mercantile restaurant.

We will not be meeting next month (October) since we will be hosting the legislative reception on 10/5/15.  Please check the VCNP website for talking points if you plan to attend so we can present a unified NP group.  The Legislative reception will be held at the Moss Free Clinic from 6-8pm.

Treasurer’s report from Tiffany Simmons included $125 we received as our portion of the dues paid by our members.

For public relations, Lisa Keel will pursue a proclamation from the mayor for NP week 11/9-11/15/15.  Since ad space in the newspapers was cost prohibitive, she will also look into putting an article or ad into The Front Porch newspaper.

For membership, Karen Hlywa asked all members to check the VCNP and their email for membership renewal and to pay dues as soon as possible please.  Karen also spoke about NP ambassador programs to recruit student members, ambassadors to discuss and promote the VCNP, and asked if we would like to contribute to this program as a gesture of good faith and encouragement.

Delisa Showers for Awards and Nominations requested award submissions.

Cherie Wright discussed the President’s call she attended and discussed a grant program for money dispersion that was left over from paid dues.

Timmye Ross for the State Conference reported they are conference calling every 2 weeks.  The next conference is at the Homestead in Hot Springs VA.

Our local NP fall conference is set for 11/7/15 starting at 7:45 in the Tompkin Martins Medical Plaza on Mary Washington Hospital campus.

Snowden is looking for an NP to do admission H and P’s on patients Friday, Saturday and Sundays.  Speak to Elizabeth Wheatley if interested.

Submitted 9/21/15 JPSF

6/8/15 Fredericksburg Region VCNP met at Capitol Ale House in Fredericksburg.  Officer positions are now filled:  Michelle Porthouse- president, Cherie Wright- president elect, Karen Hlywa- membership, Sherry Pemberton- legislative, Piper Schlesser- secretary, Tiffany Simmons- treasurer, Delisa Showers- awards and nominations, Timmes Ross- conference committee, Brenda Crum- program director.

Michelle briefed the members on the VCNP Board of directors meeting and the strategis plan for 2015-2016.  We are working toward full practice authority to increase sccess to care for Virginians.  Talking points for the members are available to get the word out to our elected officials and the public.

The legislative reception is set for 10/5/15 from 6-8 at the Moss Free Clinic in Fredericksburg.  Sherry circulated the save-the-date email and ideas for an evite to go out to our elected officials was discussed.  The design looked good and was approved.  It was decided that email was the preferred method of contacting the legislators, so the evite was approved.

The Fredericksburg region is planning a local conference in the fall.  11/7/15 was discussed as a possible date.  Similar to the previous local conference last year it will be free to VCNP members.  The tentative speakers will be Cherie- on sleep disorders, John- on Hepatitis C, pharmacist Nguyen- on compounding, and Dr Suthar- on pain management.

Lisa discussed her findings regarding NP week and the newspaper ad we had discussed:  a half page costs $800.  Members discussed considering a radio ad with WFLS.  The VCNP also has a PR person we could contact, Richard Chandler.  Lisa would try to reach him.  The members also discussed how best to reach the local NPs who do not come to meetings or are not members of the VCNP.  Cherie, Piper, Lisa, Sherry and Michelle will work on getting the word out through the media of the hospitals in the area.

The members agreed to pay for Michelle’s expenses to attend the leadership conference.  Membership received $575 from the VCNP.  Treasurer report was completed.

THe Moss Free Clinic is in need of volunteers and would like to present themselves to the region at on of the upcoming meetings.

There is a fun run 6/21/15 which will support the Regional Cancer Center, register soon!

The next Fredericksburg VCNP meeting will be 7/13/15 at Renatos in Fredericksburg.

Meeting Date: May 11, 2015

The Fredericksburg VCNP Regional meeting was held 5/11/15.

We are still missing a volunteer for the Public Relations position.  Lisa Keel volunteered to take that on.  Michele Earnest will help her by doing the Facebook Page.

Legislative update.  There are new regulations surrounding weight loss.  If you work in that field, please check on the new regulations.  The requirements for retired NPs are minimized.  Tramadol has been changed to a schedule 4 drug.  With updating DEA, it will be required to subscribe to PMP, the pharmacy monitoring program.

We are planning the legislative reception for this fall.  Sherry will contact Karen at the free clinic to set a date.  Timmes and Heidi will cater it.  The date for the reception was set for 10/5/15 from 6:30 to 8pm at the Moss Free Clinic in Fredericksburg.

Treasurer’s report.

Membership- we have 72 members.

Next program will be 6/8/15 at the Capitol Ale House on Genetic Cancers.

Submitted 5/20/15 JPSF- secretary