Summer 2023 Update by Judi Leonard

Orange County NAPNAP Summer 2023 Update

Hope summer finds you enjoying a slower pace, family time, adventures and plenty of sunscreen.

Our Board has recently met and we are excited to gear up for another year.  We are looking forward to opportunities to connect with everyone through education, volunteering and networking.

This past year we awarded the Ruth Mullins Scholarship to a CSULB student and plan to award another scholarship again this year.  If you interact with any PNP students, please encourage them to join so they can be notified when applications are available.

Did you know that NAPNAP National has a Book Club?  Looks like some thought provoking reads upcoming.  Here is the link to find out more:  https://www.napnap.org/book-club/. We might consider participating in October for the book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman.  FYI, it’s free right now on Kindle and Audible.

We are planning our educational calendar and have some topics that have been suggested.  If you have a suggestion (perhaps even yourself) for any speakers to address the following topics, or have additional topics to suggest, please let us know:

PANS/PANDAS

Drug use/abuse

Orthopedic Issues

Cardiology and EKGs

Acne, atopic dermatitis and tinea

Asthma and new guidelines

Obesity and new guidelines

Updates on endocrinology: diabetes, precocious puberty, short stature, thyroid disorders

ADHD

Independent Practice Authority

NAPNAP also has more opportunities to learn and meet CE requirements.  Mark your calendars for March 13-16, 2024 as the National Conference is headed to Denver, a lively city with plenty to see and do outside of the conference.

Do you interact with any community programs that have opportunities to volunteer?  We would like to offer some ways to give back and support our local community.  Please feel free to make suggestions and let us know of any upcoming opportunities for either individuals or groups to participate.

There remains one open position on the Board:  Legislative Chair which involves monthly virtual meetings and working with the California Chapter Legislative Collaborative to track some statewide bills.  The position comes with plenty of mentoring and NOT a big time commitment.  Please reach out if interested.

A big thank you to Sara Mehrmand for her role as Social Media Chair.  We appreciate your service, Sara!  We are pleased to welcome Prashiela Henderson to this role.  

Please be sure to follow us on Facebook where we are listed as National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners-Orange County Chapter.  

And follow us on Instagram @ca.napnap_oc_chapter

We are excited to welcome another new Board member: Teresa Vaughn-Davies has graciously accepted the position of President-Elect.  (Please be sure to vote for her in an email recently sent—this is a formality required by the National office.)

Thank you to our continuing Board members for your time and commitment:

Anneke Sager, Continuing Education Chair

Cathy Smith, Secretary

Linda Scott-Katz, Membership and Communication

Margaret Brady, Treasurer

Teresa Vaughn-Davies, President-Elect

Looking forward to a meaningful year ahead as experts in pediatrics and advocates for children.

Judi Leonard

President  and Legislative Chair,  Orange County Chapter of NAPNAP