by Sara Lerman, MPH, and Stephen Sofer, PhD
For over 20 years, Las Vegas has been the site for concurrent annual educational conferences for each of three associations: American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses (AASCIN), American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers (AASCIPSW), and American Paraplegia Society (APS). Approximately 1,500 individuals attend this event each year, primarily professionals who work in the various disciplines of spinal cord injury (SCI). The conference also has vendors who exhibit products and services that relate to SCI, such as medical equipment, pharmaceutical products, and books.
These conferences provide a significant contribution in fulfilling the mission of each of the three associations, the fundamental component of which is continuing education.
The conferences provide presentations in platform and poster format. AASCIN also has a film festival where short films are shown. The programs cover a broad range of topics and presentations, such as diagnosis and treatment options; scientific and technological breakthroughs; advances in SCI research and methods for implementing research findings; state-of-theart techniques; clinical applications; and interdisciplinary and leadership topics.
Up from SCI
Each conference has featured or keynote speakers who inspire the attendees. One such speaker, at this year’s AASCIN conference, was Kris Ann Piazza who enthralled the audience with her story. Piazza sustained an SCI in 1980 at the age of 12, when she fell from a deck into a shallow pool. She presented an honest personal account of the difficult phases of adjustment to her injury and her journey to the present, where she describes herself as “more than a survivor,” which was in fact the title of her presentation.
Indeed, Piazza has achieved a great deal since her injury. She now works as a senior editor for a large health care system. She is a published author, professional speaker, and community activist. Her presentation was moving and captivating, and hearing what it is like to experience an SCI from a personal perspective energizes professionals who provide care to individuals with SCI. (www.krisannpiazza.com)
Mean Jeanne
In past years, conference organizers and/or attendees were presented by unexpected challenges. This year, Hurricane Jeanne in Florida delayed the arrival of some of the conference attendees and presenters, but most of them rose to the challenge and managed to make the trip anyway. One of the AASCIN presenters was unable to leave her city as the airport had been closed due to the hurricane. She finally managed to get a flight to the conference in Las Vegas by driving several hours to a distant airport that was open.
The conference for AASCIPSW continues to be a well-integrated program of clinical and research updates, a forum to discuss the ethical issues relevant to health care, and first person insights into SCI rehabilitation.
Cutting Edge
Psychologists and social workers were treated to two “cutting edge” presentations on spinal cord regeneration. Stephen G. Waxman, MD, PhD, discussed “Protecting and Repairing the Injured Spinal Cord: Turning the ‘Impossible’ into the ‘Possible’” and Ron Cohen, MD, spoke about “Walking on the Moon: Repairing the Injured Spinal Cord.” Long-time conference attendees were impressed with the recent strides made by researchers and the real possibilities of restorative treatments for SCIs.
For health care professionals to renew their clinical licenses, they are required to attend a certain number of continuing education sessions related to ethics. The Program Committee has been particularly successful at attracting nationally known speakers to discuss the current “hottest” topics in health care. Patricia R. Babin, PhD, discussed “Competent or Not? Assessing Capacity in Making Informed Decisions.” In addition, Mark D. Sullivan, MD, PhD, and Anthony J. Mariano, PhD, each spoke about ethical issues related to pain relief. A wide range of psychosocial issues were addressed. Presentations discussing the role of “Hope,” “Spirituality,” “Culture,” and “Forgiveness” on SCI rehabilitation were offered for attendees’ consideration, to name just a few.
One of the inherent strengths of the conference is the opportunity for colleagues to strengthen long-standing friendships as well as establish new ones. The SCI network that is formed, reaches across the US and Canada and permits AASCIPSW members to maintain and improve the skills they utilize to improve the quality of life of persons with SCI.
A milestone at the 2004 SCI Conference was the 50th Anniversary of APS. This momentous occasion was celebrated by special events and activities such as an Anniversary Reception as well as several special presentations. One of these was a taped opening welcome message from the late Christopher Reeve and a moving taped memorial tribute to James J. Peters, who served on the Board of Directors of APS, and was a strong force in its success and in the establishment of spinal cord medicine as a subspecialty.
Gerard M. Kelly, Executive Director of United Spinal Association, inaugurated the James J. Peters Memorial Lecture, which will be an annual lecture in memory of Mr. Peters. There were a number of other featured speakers to commemorate the golden anniversary of APS. One of these was a keynote address by Dr. Federico E. Vaca, who spoke about “Trends in Motor Vehicle Injury: Spinal Cord Injury and Mitigation Priorities.” Another featured speaker was Dr. Michael Schlappi, whose presentation title was “Risk Taking and Surviving: A Personal Perspective.” Dr. Stephen G. Waxman, chairman of the Neurology Department at the Yale University School of Medicine, presented a Donald Munro Lecture “Gifts from the Molecular Revolution: Prospects for Preserving and Restoring Function after Injury to the Spinal Cord.” There was also a moving tribute letter sent by A. Estin Comarr’s widow. The late Dr. Comarr was a founding member of APS who also served as its first president.
Finally, there was a presidential greeting and congratulations sent from the White House by President George W. Bush. By and large, the 50th Anniversary of APS proved to be a very extraordinary and memorable celebration. Here is a toast to many more productive years!
Sara Lerman, MPH, is Program Manager for AASCIN. Stephen Sofer, PhD, is Program Manager for APS and AASCIPSW.
2004 Annual Conference Awards
American Association of Spinal Cord Injury NursesThe Staff Nurse Award for Excellence in SCI Nursing
Kathleen E. Aubertin, LPN Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Allentown, PAThe Expanded Role Award for Excellence in SCI Nursing
Yolanda Gertsch-Lapcevic, MN, RN, ARNP Shands Hospital at the University of Florida Gainesville, FL
SCI Nursing Best Article of the Year Award
Kathleen J. Sawin, DNS, RN, FAAN Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAAmerican Paraplegic Society
A. Estin Comarr Memorial Award for Distinguished Clinical Service
Margaret C. Hammond, MD VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle, WAThe Excellence Award
Rory A. Cooper, PhD VA Pittsburgh Health Care System Pittsburgh, PASpecial Recognition Award
Harry G. Goshgarian, PhD Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, MISpecial Recognition Award
Carolann Murphy, PA Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation West Orange, NJAmerican Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers
The Essie Morgan Excellence Award
Denise G. Tate PhD, ABPP Model SCI Care System Ann Arbor, MIOrganizational Achievement Award
Craig Hospital Englewood, COClinical Performance Award
Sigmund Hough, PhD, ABPP VA Boston Health Care System West Roxbury, MAJames J. Peters Distinguished Service Award
Stanley H. Ducharme, PhD Boston University Medical Center Boston, MA
