District 5, Inc., MNA is pleased to announce their Fall 1999 Programs.

Please visit our web site http://www.tiac.net/users/distfive for more information.

This is the District's first ever legislative cocktail evening. The focus of the program will be H. 969, An Act Relative to Needlestick Injury Prevention. The purpose of the program is to educate both nurses and legislators about the importance of needlestick injury prevention devices. Featured speakers include MNA President Karen Daley, MPH, RN, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH, and Representative Kathleen Teahan of the Joint Commission on Health Care. Sponsors of the program include ICU Medical, Inc., Retractable Technologies, Inc., and Beckton-Dickinson. EVERY legislator from District 5 will be invited - make sure you call their office and let them know you are coming and would like to see them! Admission includes hearty hors d'oeuvres, one drink coupon, one contact hour, demonstration of devices by sponsors, and the opportunity to mingle with your legislators. Call District 5 Executive Director Cammie Daniello, MS/MBA, RN at 781-255-9473 or email cammie@district5.org if you have any questions.

Contact hours have been applied for through the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which is accredited as an approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Association Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Join us as District 5 presents their 68th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet. The Annual Meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. Special Door Prizes will be awarded to a lucky few that come for the Business Meeting at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. will be the cocktail reception/cash bar. Dinner will start at 7:30 p.m., and the evening will conclude with Awards Presentations to those District 5 nurses who have demonstrated Excellence in Nursing Practice, Nursing Management, and Nursing Education. Additionally, awards may be presented to those District 5 Committee Members who have met the criteria for Loyal Member and Distinguished Service. A Discounted Admission Price of $40 for District 5 MNA Members and their Guests includes Spinach Salad, your choice of Grilled Marinated Salmon, Oven Roasted Breast of Chicken or Pasta Primavera, and Cappuccino Mousse Cake. Please call Rosemary Galante at District 5 781-255-9473 or email rosemary@district5.org for more information.

"Can we do this again?" "Ya-hoo!!"

Join us as we do it again! District 5 will be in-line skating on Saturday, October 16 starting at 9 a.m. at the Bikeway Source in Bedford, MA. We've done this program twice now, to rave reviews from participants. Some had never been on skates before, while others were actually comfortable skating around. Our key instructor, Joyce Buckley, is certified by the International In-Line Skating Association, and has been able to give participants individually tailored instructions at each of the programs. It's been great to have specific skills to work on, and everyone is so supportive! Clapping and cheers are equal when the newest skater learns to stop and the most experienced learns to "spin stop." All participants are required to wear safety gear, so everyone is unrecognizable (and well protected)! Congratulations to all participants who have won prizes for best and most improved skater, as well as T-shirt recipients for being good sports. Won't you come with us this time? It's fun, it's easy, and it's cheap! Just $10 for District 5, MNA Members and $20 for non-members. The price includes a one-hour group lesson geared to ability level. Skate rental is an additional $10, and is available on-site from the Bikeway Source. Call 781-255-9473 or email rosemary@district5.org for registration information.

Ever walked into a patient's room and think "I have no idea how to communicate with this person.?" Maybe the family is there, all 15 of them, and you want to ask the patient a personal question. Do you ask the family to leave the room for a minute? Or would they be less offended if you just asked the question?
Is there a universal approach? What are the key components of cultural competency and how does it affect nursing practice? Are there some specific examples of what to do (or what not to do?)

Join the Nursing Education & Practice Committee as they present Cultural Competence Begins Within! Featured panelists are: Rachel Specter, Ph.D., RN, CTN, Associate Professor Boston College; Deborah Washington, MSN, RN, MGH Director Patient Care Services, Diversity; and Eileen Zungolo, Ed.D., RN, Dean Northeastern University College of Nursing. Dr. Specter will discuss Culturally Sensitive, Appropriate, and Competent Care and contrast the modern/allopathic approach with the traditional/homeopathic approach. Ms, Washington will address the issues of cultural competence as they relate to the workplace and the profession. Dr. Zungolo will share with the audience her experiences as a Fulbright Scholar to KhonKaen University in Thailand.

Registration in advance only! For Further information, please contact Rosemary Galante at 781-255-9473 or email rosemary@district5.org. Cost is $20/District 5 MNA Member * $40/Non-member. A light supper will be served. Contact hours have been applied for through the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which is accredited as an approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Association Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.