Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN
NOVA Chapter 226
VA Boston Healthcare System
NOVA’s 40th Annual Meeting
Several NOVA Chapter 226 Members took advantage of the opportunity to attend the virtual NOVA’s 40th Annual Meeting in October 2020.

NOVA Chapter 226 Watch Party
On October 29-30, 2020, a small group of NOVA members had a Watch Party to view NOVA’s 40th Annual Meeting. Even with the mask-wearing, it was a fun way to celebrate NOVA’s ruby anniversary with NOVA friends.



NOVA Chapter 226 Award Recipients
Congratulations to the 2020 NOVA Chapter 226 Award Winners!
Poster Presentations
VA Boston staff presented three poster presentations at the virtual 2020 NOVA Conference.
- Cause for Concern with Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy
Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN; Nancy Brooks, MSN, RN, WCC, CFCN; Melissa Varela-Manso, MSN, RN, CRRN

- Implications of VHA’s Journey to High Reliability on Nursing
Valentina Ward, BSN, RN, MPS, CPPS

- Front-Line Innovation: Implementation of Nurse Driven Protocol for COVID-19 Outpatients
Sherry Clement, BSN, RN, CFN, CWCN, CCN; Barbara Hayes, MSN, RN, GCNS-BC, CHPN; Jane A. Driver, MD, MPH

NOVA Annual Meeting Bag
The NOVA 40th Annual Meeting Bag was spotted at some prominent Boston locations.
1st Virtual NOVA Nursing Heroes 5K
Two NOVA Chapter 226 Teams have completed the virtual NOVA Nursing Heroes 5K from VA Boston!
- NOVA Chapter 226 Walpole Rebels:
Karen Boenig, Linda Costello, Ellen McCarthy and Kelly Skinner
- Run Like the Winded:
Julie Szegda, Carolyn Blackham, and Casey Atkins
Thank you for supporting VA nurses by joining the 1st virtual NOVA Nursing Heroes 5K!


NOVA Chapter 226 Thankfulness Raffle
Mindy Shackelford, Theresa Presley, Nacha Pierre, Danielle Newman and Kelly Skinner met at the Yard House in Dedham, MA to compile all the 2020 Thankfulness Calendar Raffle tickets sold. The raffle winners will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
Urology Nurses and Associates Week
Urology Nurses care for patients across the lifespan, providing guidance and treatment for a variety of urologic diseases and concerns. They specialize in such areas as continence care, sexual dysfunction, infertility, oncology, surgery, cystoscopy, and urodynamics. During Urology Nurses and Associates Week, NOVA Chapter 226 recognized the NOVA nurses: Tracey Bent, John Huether and Deanne Costello.

National Nurse Practitioner Week (NP)
National Nurse Practitioner Week (NP) 2020 is November 8-14. NOVA Chapter 226 celebrated the nurse practitioners at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Here are some of the NOVA Chapter 226 NPs.

Perioperative Nurses Week (November 8-14,2020)
Perioperative Nurses are a crucial part of any OR team. These nurses provide surgical patient care by assessing, planning, and implementing the nursing care patients receive before, during, and after surgery. NOVA Chapter 226 recognized the hard work and continued commitment to patient safety by the perioperative nurses at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Here are some of the NOVA Chapter 226 Perioperative Nurses.