TJ Wilcox-Olson, MHS, RN

NOVA President-Elect

Portland VAMC, OR

NOVA Chapter 332

This year is certainly one to remember and NOVA has had to make many changes to activities in response to COVID-19. This included changes surrounding the NOVA Annual Meeting and fundraising. Members of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee and the Nurse Emeritus Committee had to get creative about some of the activities traditionally held during this event.

NOVA’s Nurse Emeritus Committee has long assisted in raising funds for NOVA nursing scholarships with raffles or silent auctions during the meeting. With the meeting format changing from face-to-face to a virtual event, there were new challenges with raising money. Last summer the group proposed hosting a 5K event where NOVA members and supporters could still come together in some way to celebrate NOVA’s 40^th anniversary.

NOVA has historically hosted an optional event where Annual Meeting attendees could spend more time networking during a fun activity in the city where the meeting is held. This year the committees combined fundraising efforts with the optional event in a virtual format and NOVA hosted its first NOVA Nursing Heroes 5K.

Members were encouraged to register for the event and complete it with family and friends, or as a chapter activity as social distancing allowed. Registrants were encouraged to send in photos of themselves completing the 5K, making this a more interactive experience. One of the best parts was that all participants received a NOVA-branded racing medal.

Registration for the event began August 21, 2020 and ended October 31, 2020.  The event took place from the beginning of the week of Annual Meeting (October 29 - 30)  through Veterans Day (November 11). Participants were encouraged to complete those 3.1 miles however they chose--running, skipping, dancing, jogging, walking, or swimming. They could do it all at once or break it up over a few days.

Thank you to all who participated and made this event a success. Monies raised this year will help to honor Mary Raymer’s contributions to NOVA and provide scholarship funds to a deserving nurse to offset educational expenses.