On January 27, 2023, San Diego NOVA Chapter 138 gathered for an educational dinner event at Olive & Basil in beautiful La Jolla, California. Nearly 30 nurses from 10 different specialties were in attendance to hear Dr. Claire Brines, DNP, present Understanding the Chronic Wound Continuum: The Nurses Role in Real World Wound Healing, Biofilm Based Wound Management, and the Organogenesis Portfolio. Dr. Brines is a nurse practitioner with over 10 years of medical, surgical, and trauma critical care experience. She most recently worked in the surgical trauma intensive care unit at the University of Chicago Medical Center and started the Advanced Practice Provider service line there.

The dinner was also an opportunity for attendees to learn more about NOVA and the importance of nurses coming together to advocate for nursing and Veteran care. NOVA President, TJ Wilcox-Olson, was on hand to share information and answer questions. It was a very successful recruitment event with several new members submitting their applications before leaving the restaurant and more applying online after. This was one of the first events held by Chapter 138 and everyone enjoyed being able to network outside of work. Chapter members hope to host more events in the near future and continue growing in numbers to lend more voices to issues that impact the care VA nurses provide every day.