PITTMAN, NJ (Press Release) - Five hundred urologic nurses, technicians, medical assistants, physicians and physician's assistants and industry representatives convened in Phoenix, AZ, for the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) 38th Annual Conference, October 12-16, 2007.

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates is a professional organization committed to excellence in patient care, clinical practice, and research through education of its members, patients, families, and community. SUNA raised money for scholarships and recognized outstanding members during the conference.

Sessions were split into special interest areas (continence/urodynamics, surgical urology, advanced practice, and inpatient and outpatient care) in which attendees explored sexual dysfunction, palliative care, pediatrics, overactive bladder and pharmacology. In addition, participants attended education sessions, networked with colleagues and met with vendors in an exhibit hall packed with more than 90 booths.

"This year's conference had something for everyone, with sessions for new and experienced nurses, and topics running the gamut of urologic nursing," said newly-inducted SUNA President Tamara Dickinson, RN, CURN, CCCN, BCIA-PMDB. "In the SUNA tradition, we had a stellar educational program and many fantastic opportunities to network with our colleagues across the country."

On Saturday, October 13, SUNA sponsored an "Ask the Experts" panel discussion in which attendees heard from Dickinson, President Elect Mary Anne Wasner, RN, CURN; Fran Foley, BS, RN, CURN; Marie Page, BS, RN, CURN, BSPA; Cindy Dobmeyer-Dittrich, BSN, CURN; and Victor Senese, BSN, RN, CURN, on such topics as OR instrumentation, bladder cancer and nerve stimulation, as well as an update from the International Continence Society. The discussion was followed by a Q&A.

Later that night, during the SUNA Party, the SUNA Foundation held a Silent Auction and raised more than $4,600 to support urologic nursing grants and scholarships.

Also on Saturday, Jesse Billauer presented the Keynote Address, "Overcoming Adversity." At age 17, Billauer was seeking a surfing career when he suffered a spinal cord injury. During his address, Billauer spoke about how he overcame this experience by leading a healthy, fulfilling life.

Awards
Each year, SUNA honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to urologic nursing. The awards were presented during the Awards Luncheon on Monday, October 15, and recipients included:

• President's Trophies (SUNA's highest honor, two categories):
  • For outstanding contributions to the specialty of urologic nursing:
    • Jerome Marley, RN, University of Ulster, Ireland
    • Gordon Frith, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia
  • For outstanding contributions to SUNA: Cynthia Dobmeyer-Dittrich, BSN, CURN, University Urology, Knoxville, TN
• Outstanding Contributions in Continence Care Award (awarded by National Association For Continence): Angela Joseph, MSN, CNS, CURN, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health System, San Diego, CA
• Ron Brady Career Mobility Scholarship: Jeff Albaugh, MS, APRN-BC, CUCNS, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
• Jan LeBouton Certification Scholarship: Todd Morningstar, LPN, VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI
• Suszette McKay Memorial Excellence in Urologic Nursing Award: Olive Adriano, RN, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL
• MacFarlane Award (given by Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates [CBUNA] for highest score received on certification exam):
  • Kathleen Fonder, RN, CURN, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
  • Mary Jo Forte, BSN, CURN, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
• Chapter of the Year Award: Upper Midwest Chapter
• Regional Member of the Year Awards (awards given to outstanding SUNA members in each region):
  • Northeast Region - Joan Colella, MPA, MSN, APN-BC, NP-C, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ
  • North Central Region - Kathy Marchese, BSN, APN, CWOCN, CURN, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL
  • Southeast Region - Tina Yancey, BS RNC CURN, Morton Plant Mease Healthcare, Clearwater, FL
  • Western Region -
    • Jan Jensen, RN, Kaiser Permanente, Walnut Creek, CA
    • Linda Adams, LVN, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Palo Alto, CA

For those unable to attend, SUNA offers a CD-ROM that features live recordings of educational sessions. For more information or to order, contact Convention Recordings, Inc., at 630-985-1182 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

In addition to the Annual Conference, SUNA holds the Annual Symposium each spring. The next symposium, focusing on pelvic pain and pelvic floor disorders, will be held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, Tampa, FL, February 28-March 2, 2008.

For more information about SUNA and its conferences, contact the association at www.suna.org ; phone: 1-888-TAP-SUNA (827-7862); fax: 856-589-7463; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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