Susan Lucci and I were fortunate to attend the GA/AL Regional meeting in Birmingham, Alabama this weekend and what a great meeting it was. Congratulations to Denise Vadnais, CMT and her team for all of their hard work.
Friday began with about 25 people sitting for a CPR recertification course offered by an American Red Cross instructor. We are anxiously awaiting our certification cards but I'm fairly confident that everyone passed.
Saturday morning started with a speech on taking risks by a member of Toastmasters which fit perfectly with the AHDI mission. After all, who knows more about risk taking than MTs? Following this Susan, Chad Sines [AL/GA Delegate], and I participated in a panel discussion. We began by sharing some of what’s new and exciting at AHDI to include information about the Interfix Knowledge Base [KB], For More Information or Order Now which generated much interest, Advocacy Summit, our Next Gen Campaign, and other initiatives. Susan shared her vision for 2009 with the group along with discussion related to many other issues. Chad then discussed options for improving membership in local components and the possibility of expanding the AL/GA Regional to include other states. We then opened it up to a Q&A session.
Following lunch, we were taken over to the University of Alabama. Birmingham [UAB] simulation laboratory where the nursing director gave a demonstration using the anatomically correct, very lifelike “robot” they use to train physicians, nurses, and military EMS personnel how to perform various medical procedures which include, but are not limited to, intubation [sometimes under sniper fire in the case of the military folks], chest tube placement, AED resuscitations, all ACLS protocols, tracheotomies, etc. This was amazing to say the least and the attendees were raving about it for the rest of the meeting. This nursing director was so excited about our program that he came back with us and attended the rest of the Saturday sessions. He excused himself only when he had to fly to Hurlburt Field in Florida for a training session but not before he listened to a brief explanation of our Military Spouse Initiative [by yours truly]. He subsequently offered to take brochures [I just happened to have about 50] with him to the family center at Hurlburt Field! He also volunteered to be a presenter in Nashville -- with the robot of course. I certainly hope this works out as I believe our ACE attendees would enjoy it as much as we did.
The final speaker on Sunday morning was a fellow in the Medical Examiner's office who was so entertaining you forgot he was an ME. I’ll bet, with the help of Denise Vadnais, we can get him to come to Nashville also! Anyone who went to ACE in Orlando understands the draw of a medical examiner....
Many thanks go out to the GA/AL Regional for allowing us to participate in your meeting and meet so many fabulous people. Oh, I nearly forgot the best part -- every person who attended the meeting was an AHDI member -- how fabulous is that!!!
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