Editorials
HomeAbout AMT State Officers Officer's Duties Meeting Agenda Editorials Supply Exchange Job Information Vendors Student's Voice RMAs Nat'l Lab Celebration Photos/Memories Handy Links       

 

OkSSAMT Delegate Report
AMT NATIONAL CONVENTION
Orlando, Florida
July 7 to July 14, 2007

Submitted by
Judy Lynch
August 4 , 2007

Once again I would like to thank the OkSSAMT membership for the opportunity to represent you at the AMT national convention. This year the National Convention was nothing less than “Magical”.
My trip began with a “mini” vacation. My Husband, Roger and youngest daughter, Sheena escorted me down to Florida on Saturday, July 7 th, 3 days before the convention. We got special $89.00 tickets from Wichita, Kansas to Orlando. The only downfall was that the taxi commute to our Hotel was over $100.00 each way.
My oldest daughter, JoHanna, grandson, Logan age 4 and granddaughter, Shiloh, 4 months connected with us at the Swan / Dolphin Hotel. They flew in from New Jersey. After checking in we were off to Epcot center where the magic began. Sunday was spent at the Magic Kingdom and then back to the Hotel to refresh in the pool. Monday was spent at the Animal Kingdom where we all positively melted! So, back to the hotel for another swim.
My family all left early Tuesday morning and I focused myself on the week ahead. We had 6 delegates at the convention; Anna Seals, Lia Spears, Kim Digby, Floriene Taulbert, and Chris Christian and of course, little ole me. We were all under the leadership of Roxanne and Mary who of course had their own agenda of National board matters.
The Convention area was really great this year so we were all able to get around and go our own ways and easy to meet up in the room when necessary. Anna, Kim & I teamed up and became roommates for the rest of the week while Lia and Floriene paired up. Lia and Floriene were little fire-flies and I rarely saw them except in meetings. Our room was next door to Mary & Roxanne.
The convention began with the Keynote address from Mary Feeley. She was a hoot and kept everyone laughing and gave a great insight into how humor can help us cope in our work and daily lives. General session was on the transport of infectious and biological substances. I thought it a little boring but necessary information. My breakout session was on the complications of transfusions. A good review. However the Second general session was right up my alley. Forensics is a topic that I really have an interest in. Tuesday was topped off with the welcome reception. The “Beach Bash” was moved indoors due the showers outside. Great food and great company was really appreciated. I enjoyed seeing all the old friends that you only seem to see once a year at National Convention.
Resolutions and Meet the Candidates were presented on Wednesday morning. There were no great contests or great debates this year so this went rather smoothly.
Nancy Barrow, Paul Brown and Susanna Hancock were all elected to the board by acclimation. Jeff Lavender (our displaced Okie) was also elected to the AMTIE board of trustees by acclimation.
My afternoon was consumed with finding out “How to dress for success” and “What’s new in Public Health”. I was honored to be Mary’s date at the AMT Order of the Golden Microscope / RMA Medallion of Merit Dinner Wednesday. I took a hint from Louise last year and took pictures of the food. Ecstatically appealing! And it tasted great too! I was sad for this evening to end. It was so nice to visit with the wonderful people who have made our organization what it is today!
Thursday’s General Session was on Hospice and end of life issues. This issue always gives us something to think about. I know the consequences of not having your wishes followed since I have just lost my Mother and experiences some of these same issues.
Thursday afternoon I attended a seminar put on by Charlotte & Gerald Boe. The topic was “How full is your bucket?” I thought this topic was “de ja vu”. This was the same topic that I had listened to at my high school graduation. And guess what. The results from positive reinforcements that was evident in the 1970’s still holds true in today’s workplace and in our personal lives. Lia and I were in the same group and at this point I realized what a positive leader she can be. (Way to go Lia!!)
There was a large group that gathered for the “How to run a State Society” session. All counselors as well as legal counsel gave us their insight on how to be an effective leader, some rules we need to follow and how to become an honor roll society.
Thursday evening was another highlight due to our special recognition of more Oklahoma members. Chris Christian received the Cuviello Excellence in Education award and Michelle Culver a Sayre SWOSU student received the Medical Lab Technician Outstanding Student Award. I was so impressed when Michelle gave an “impromptu” speech. I could see that she was well deserving of the award.
I can say for a clear amount of certainty that Roxanne has done an excellent job with her students. Students at SWOSU at Sayre Khang Le and Trevor Kuczajda won the Abbott Diagnostics writing awards. Khang , second place for his “Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus” writing and Trever, third for a scriptive “Genetic Therapy and the Future of HIV” paper.
Friday was filled with the Town Hall Session and Annual business meeting. There were no major issues in the Town Hall meeting; however, I did ask the AMTIE board how the “online” tracking of CEU’s was coming along. They are still working on it. The annual business meeting went smoothly with reports given to the membership and followed by the election of the AMT Board of Directors.
Friday night was completed with a trip to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. This was a fun social with dinner and a show. It was set in an Arena and we ate as the cast rode horse and had a distinctive rivalry between the North & the South.
I left my colleagues as early as 4:30 Saturday morning to buy a $100.00 taxi ride to the airport where everything was on time and the easy flight to Wichita arrived without a hitch.
Again, Thank you for allowing me to represent you at the “Magical AMT National Convention” in Orlando Florida this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Lynch


Delegate Report 2007
Anna Seals, Delegate

The Florida national convention began Tuesday. For me it started with the proctoring committee meeting. Some of the subjects discussed were problems with proctoring exams (7009 paper and 4400 computer), discussed with Jim Fidler, about electronic exam thru Pearson Vue( Pro and Cons), and the high number of exam no shows.
The keynote speaker, was very humorous and I know, though she didn't really say, she had to have worked with some of my
coworkers, lab and nursing. She sure had those personality type down pat-- people person, list maker, and last minute person. Bet, I could have supplied her with actual names, and I admit I am a cross between two types ( the two good types of course).
The speakers in the classes I attended were very informative.
Wednesday, we met with the candidates running for board positions.
1. Jeff Lavender was running for the amtie board member.
Jeff was a Oklahoma member at on time, and we know his good qualities.
2. Nancy Barrow, MT, Paul Brown, MT. and Susanna Hancock, RMA were the members running for national board positions.
A. Nancy Barrow thinks we need to get more people involved with AMT and encourage our members to be more
involved at state level. She stated we needed to watch state licensure some bills were good and other not so good.
B. Susanna Hancock agreed and felt we needed to start with our schools, and educate our medical professional
people such as physicians. She stated we needed to watch legislative issues closely.
C. Paul Brown felt we needed to ensure that we remain strong as a organization and every member has a voice.
Resolutions: Vern Hines discussed the states of allied instructors being allowed to be delegates to national convention. It will be presented at the Rhode Island meeting it is in the judiciary committee now. He ,mentioned that smaller states were having financial problems publishing state newsletters and ask if they could print theirs in the national AMT event. The publishing committee is reviewing this and will present at the editors work shop.
At the central district meeting, there were discussions on how long to keep records, how stipends were being used in different states, and the polit study of e-mail journals in North Carolina.
Townhall Meeting:

1. Each committee chairperson presented their reports and questions were ask and reports approved by membership
2. All the candidates were elected to the positions they ran for.
3. Next years meeting will be at Providence, Rhode Island, July 7th thru 12th at the Westin Hotel. Rooms will be 119.00 a night.
Amtie meeting: Presidents report was given and other reports followed.
Pat explained the proposed change in CEU forms, and alternate way of getting CEUs.

Everyone tried to squeeze as much time for fun as they could especially Disney attractions. The delegates visited with members from other states whenever they could.
Thank you home office for all your hard work on national convention 2007.
Anna Seals, RPT AMT
OKSSAMT Delegate and President

 

WEBMASTER rpolasky@familyplace.com        PRESIDENT Annaseals@aol.com  Last Edited:06/30/2008