Orange County NAPNAP Chapter
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Fall Update from Judi Leonard

Posted over 4 years ago by Linda Scott-Katz

Happy Fall, everyone.  Hope you are enjoying some cooler temps and gearing up for what will likely be another action packed cold and flu season.  I am looking forward to getting my flu shot this week and hope you and yours are as well.  Stay healthy.

 

I am excited to learn that we are 94 members strong!   Perhaps if we can invite a few more students and colleagues to join, we can reach 100 members. 

There are a few items of interest that I would like to share with everyone:

  1. Our 1st meeting of the year will take place Wednesday, November 6, 6:30pm at CHOC in Orange, in Conference Room A, adjacent to the Wade Education Center on the 2nd  Dr. Rahul Bhola, pediatric ophthalmologist from CHOC will be discussing vision and ocular assessment.  Dinner and continuing education will be provided.  Bring a non-member and/or a student, and also please consider bringing a gently used or new children’s book to donate.  An invitation will be going out soon…please be sure to register for the event at that time. 
  1. Nurse Practitioner Week is celebrated November 10-16, 2019.  How will you celebrate and promote the NP role?  One sure way to have fun, network and learn is to attend the annual CANP gala on November 14, 2019.  Spouses, significant others, friends are all welcome to attend as well. One of the topics to be discussed is Human Trafficking, which has been a high profile topic for NAPNAP.   Here is the link for more information.: https://canpweb.org/events/event-detail/?sessionaltcd=15ORANGECONECA111419
  1. The Washington Wonder Weekend will be held November 1-4, 2019.  Thank you to the chapter for supporting me in attending the NAPNAP Chapter and SIG summit being held in conjunction with the Advocacy and Leadership Summit in Washington DC.  Interested in attending the Leadership and Advocacy Forum November 3 & 4th?  Please see: https://www.napnap.org/specialty-symposium-np-leadership-and-advocacy-forum
  1. Looking for a getaway and some education?  Our neighbors to the east, Arizona Chapter of NAPNAP invite you to attend their conference in Mesa November 1-2, 2019. Please see their website for more info: https://aznapnap.enpnetwork.com/
  1. Do you have an interesting case you would like to share?  Thanks for your responses to our recent survey! Many expressed an interest in hearing case presentations so I am hoping we will have a few of our amazing NPs share so we can all learn.  Please let me know.
  1. On the legislative front, SB 276 and SB 714 regarding immunizations for school entry have been hotly contested.  For more information, you can refer to the following links:

SB276http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB276

AB 714http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB714

Briefly:

Taken together, both SB 276 and SB 714 will establish a new bureaucracy within the California State Department of Public Health (CDPH) to review physician-written immunization medical exemptions under specified circumstances.
 
SB 276 will add to the existing student vaccination medical exemption process by doing the following: 

  1. Requires the CDPH to develop and make available for use by licensed physicians a statewide, standardized medical exemption request form.
  2. Requires a licensed physician, if a parent or guardian requests said physician to submit a medical exemption for the parent’s or guardian’s child, to inform the parent or guardian of the requirements of SB 276.
  3. Requires, if the parent or guardian consents, the physician to examine the child and submit a completed medical exemption certification form to CDPH.
  4. Specifies the conditions under which completed exemption forms are reviewed by CDPH.
  5. Creates an appeals process with an independent expert review panel to address instances when an exemption is denied or revoked.  

Assembly amendments delay implementation of SB 276 until January 1, 2021, require review of medical exemptions when a school’s overall immunization rate falls to 95 percent or when a physician has submitted five or more exemptions in a calendar year, and adds an appeals process when an exemption is denied or revoked.
 
The companion bill, SB 714, does the following: 

  1. Allows a child who has a medical exemption issued before January 1, 2020, to be allowed to continue enrollment until the child enrolls in the next grade.
  2. Prohibits, on and after July 1, 2021, a school or school district from unconditionally admitting or readmitting to a school, or admit or advance any student to the 7th grade, unless the student has been immunized or has a medical exemption through a procedure that includes the completion of a compliant statewide form.
  3. Removes the requirement that the statewide form be signed under penalty of perjury, and modifies which physicians and surgeons are eligible to issue a medical exemption.
  1. This may be of interest to you, your family and/or your patient population.  Is It Worth The Risk?  Adult and Teen program on Drug Use, Trends and more at the Norman P Murray Community Center, 24932 Veteran's Way in Mission Viejo, October 16, 6-8pm.  For more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/is-it-worth-it-tickets-66484778763

 

  1. Two local CSULB PNP students are sponsoring a book drive.  Do you have new or gently used books to donate?  Please see the attached information.  Feel free to post or share with any groups or events you may participate in.  Let's support literacy!  If you have any questions or would like to reach out please feel free to contact Emma by email: emma.lucia2@gmail.com

 

  1. OC NAPNAP needs you.  We are still looking for someone to step up and fill the role of the President Elect. As you can see, it is not a very taxing position.  I manage 3 jobs along with a family and still keep my head above water (most days!)  I am happy to co-lead as the Los Angeles Chapter does.  NAPNAP provides much support, materials and our leadership team locally is amazing.  Come join the fun.

 

  1. Watch for our new feature: Member ProfileAfter seeing so many new names on our membership roster, we decided we would all get to know each other a little better.  Watch for member profiles and have fun getting to know the uniqueness and contributions we all make to health care.   Please send your profile today to my email at: dougleonard@netzero.net using the following template:

 

  1. Where did you attend undergrad nursing school?  NP program? DNP program?
  2. When did you decide to be a nurse?  Why?
  3. How many years have you been a NP?
  4. Do you have any special health care interests or areas of expertise?
  5. Where are you currently working?
  6. What roles in health care have you had?  Which did you enjoy the most? Why?
  7. What volunteer, mission, overseas or other activities have you been involved in.
  8. What are your hobbies, interests, favorite ways to unwind?
  9. Please share a memorable moment in health care, interesting case, memorable patient, etc. and anything else you feel fun to share.

 

That is my TOP 10 for today.  Thank you for reading all the way through.  I am excited for 2020 and the VISION (get it?) to grow our chapter and support and get to know our members better.  With 2020 on the way, I do believe starting with vision screening is our first step to a clear view of the future.

 

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you.  Please reach out for any suggestions, needs, information.  We are here for you.

 

Judi Leonard

OC NAPNAP Chapter President