Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

This year has brought with some of the greatest challenges we’ve ever faced. I am thankful for everyone that has taken up the challenge to help others and make change. As oncology nurses there are not adequate words to thank you all for the dedication you have provided to your patients, family and community.

I belief it is safe to assume that we are all looking forward to celebrating the closing of 2020 and welcoming a new year filled with hope. While we cannot predict the future, this year has certainly prepared us and strengthened us to move forward.

I want to thank everyone for a wonderful 3 years as president. You have adapted to changing delivery of our meetings and changes at the national level. I want to extend a special thank you to our board members that quickly adapted to the change and provided our chapter with alternative ways to meet and interact with one another. This team in the last 3 years has developed multiple strategies to meet the changes of our chapter structure and ever-growing demands of the technology world. I would like to take the opportunity to bring attention to some of the things you as a chapter have accomplished.

• We provided toiletries to local shelters.
• Donated hats and gloves to Dayton Children’s Hospital.
• Provided funding for ostomy supplies to the Dayton Ostomy Support group.
• We met the challenge of restructuring the board to meet the guideline of ONS.
• We started a Facebook page and Twitter account.
• We hosted zoom meetings with participants from several states.
• We started a scholarship fund for our fellow nurses at Wright State University named, West Central Ohio Oncology Nursing Graduate Scholarship.
• We sent nurses to Capitol Hill Days and Leadership Weekend.
• Provided scholarships to chapter members for education.
• Provided several ONS memberships to our chapter members.
• Donated toys for local toy drive.
• Had a great fun at Dayton Dragon’s game and received special recognition by the ballpark.
• We meditated together.
• Participated in Making Strides.
• Most of all we have survived a pandemic and continue to conquer whatever it throws our way!

This in no way includes everything as a chapter we have accomplished. We have individual members that have been published, gained new degrees, overcome illness and many other challenges. I could not be prouder to be part of the West Central Ohio Oncology Nursing Society chapter.

It is with great happiness that I am able to pass the direction and Presidential leadership of our chapter to Jill Reese and the board members. I am certain she will do a great job carrying at our legacy of doing great things in our community. Your continued support of Jill and our board members is appreciated and much valued. In the year to come we will have several opportunities to become involved by attending monthly meetings, board meeting and meeting community needs. Now more than ever we all have a calling to mentor new nurses. In the words of Florence Nightingale “Never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.”

I once again wish you all a very happy, healthy and safe New Year.

Nancy