by Diane Lynch, MSN, RN, HIstorian
The general membership meeting started at 6:02 PM, and President Pagnotta announced her retirement from school nursing, per se, and encouraged the general membership to join the Executive Board. She emphasized, “It is within your reach, it really is!” Gius also said we, as an organization, are there to help along the way. For any questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected].
Gius also mentioned the May 8 dinner meeting next year and encouraged members to come to this “live” event, to be held at Spring Lake Manor.
Gius then announced Gail Hall as first presenter, to “translate” current proposed bills and legislation. Gail Hall, MSN, RN, CSN- NJ, gave an in-depth overview on legislative updates, and briefly described how a bill evolves and goes through (often laboriously slow) motions in the NJ State Assembly and Senate before it is passed (if it gets passed). Among the legislative processes and topics covered were social media usage, employees’ use of sick time, funding of feminine hygiene products in schools, training of bus drivers to administer epinephrine in emergency situations under certain circumstances, and various mental health issues.
At 6:48pm Gius introduced guest speakers Suzy Dyer, Esq., CHC and Susan Gibbons, BSN, RN (a retired school nurse), from the Parker Family Health Center (PHFC) a nonprofit volunteer-based, free healthcare medical clinic for uninsured residents in Monmouth County. There currently are approximately over 36,000 uninsured county residents under the age of 65; 10% of the uninsured are over 65. Ms. Dyer and Ms. Gibbons gave an overview of multiple services - including immunizations, dental, pre-employment and school physicals, a hypertension clinic, diabetes management, on-site phlebotomy services, and eye care. screenings, mental health - provided for children and adults. Ms. Dyer mentioned a sobering statistic: mental health services for children ages 3 and older have increased 250%.
The PHFC also offers telehealth services and Uber transportation is also provided for patients who cannot drive or are without a means of transportation.
Ms. Gibbons stated a large number of uninsured patients are from Long Branch, Neptune, and the Bayshore area. The PHFC has over 130 volunteers, and 90 are health care practitioners. Ms. Gibbons are Ms. Dyer encouraged school nurses to consider working as a volunteer. Ms. Dyer can be reached at (908) 578-5801.
In conclusion of the meeting, Gius again urged members to consider joining the Executive Board. The meeting ended at 7:31PM.
The general membership meeting started at 6:02 PM, and President Pagnotta announced her retirement from school nursing, per se, and encouraged the general membership to join the Executive Board. She emphasized, “It is within your reach, it really is!” Gius also said we, as an organization, are there to help along the way. For any questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected].
Gius also mentioned the May 8 dinner meeting next year and encouraged members to come to this “live” event, to be held at Spring Lake Manor.
Gius then announced Gail Hall as first presenter, to “translate” current proposed bills and legislation. Gail Hall, MSN, RN, CSN- NJ, gave an in-depth overview on legislative updates, and briefly described how a bill evolves and goes through (often laboriously slow) motions in the NJ State Assembly and Senate before it is passed (if it gets passed). Among the legislative processes and topics covered were social media usage, employees’ use of sick time, funding of feminine hygiene products in schools, training of bus drivers to administer epinephrine in emergency situations under certain circumstances, and various mental health issues.
At 6:48pm Gius introduced guest speakers Suzy Dyer, Esq., CHC and Susan Gibbons, BSN, RN (a retired school nurse), from the Parker Family Health Center (PHFC) a nonprofit volunteer-based, free healthcare medical clinic for uninsured residents in Monmouth County. There currently are approximately over 36,000 uninsured county residents under the age of 65; 10% of the uninsured are over 65. Ms. Dyer and Ms. Gibbons gave an overview of multiple services - including immunizations, dental, pre-employment and school physicals, a hypertension clinic, diabetes management, on-site phlebotomy services, and eye care. screenings, mental health - provided for children and adults. Ms. Dyer mentioned a sobering statistic: mental health services for children ages 3 and older have increased 250%.
The PHFC also offers telehealth services and Uber transportation is also provided for patients who cannot drive or are without a means of transportation.
Ms. Gibbons stated a large number of uninsured patients are from Long Branch, Neptune, and the Bayshore area. The PHFC has over 130 volunteers, and 90 are health care practitioners. Ms. Gibbons are Ms. Dyer encouraged school nurses to consider working as a volunteer. Ms. Dyer can be reached at (908) 578-5801.
In conclusion of the meeting, Gius again urged members to consider joining the Executive Board. The meeting ended at 7:31PM.