The 2020 Annual Meeting Starts October 29

Attention all NOVA nurses! The Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs 40th Annual Meeting is right around the corner, kicking off the first-ever all-virtual meeting on Thursday, October 29 at 10 a.m. EST and concluding on Friday, October 30 at 7:15 p.m. EST. The meeting is set to provide attendees with educational opportunities as well as in-depth discussions on the health and well-being of nurses, the future of VA healthcare, and more.

NOVA’s Annual Meeting Planning Committee chose this year’s theme, Celebrating NOVA's Legacy and Promise of NOVA's Future, in honor of NOVA’s ruby anniversary and the many accomplishments of NOVA nurses in the last 40 years.

 “This year’s annual meeting will be an informative and memorable two-day event — all focusing on providing outstanding care for our nation’s Veterans,” said Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, MSN, RN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN, member of the 2020 Annual Meeting Planning Committee. “The virtual program will include dynamic presentations and speakers, award recognition, poster presentations and vendor sessions.”

Annual Meeting Planning Committee Co-Chair Taryn-Janae Wilcox-Olson, MHS, RN, notes that the focus on Veteran care wouldn’t be possible without the NOVA members and partners who have made NOVA such a successful organization for so long.

“NOVA members have made their voices heard and we want to highlight that. We have had many adventures and made so many memories together. This year’s theme is really about bringing that all together: our legislative achievements, educational opportunities, networking with VA Central Office to ensure the best care for our Veterans, meeting First Ladies — the list goes on and on,” said Wilcox-Olson. The celebration is an apt one for NOVA’s milestone year.

The Virtual Difference

Since this year’s Annual Meeting is all virtual, eliminating the need to travel for the event, the planning committee is expecting more members to attend.

"Attendees get to witness the great work NOVA achieves during the year, and, hopefully, after they experience the education NOVA can provide to its members, they will attend next year's annual meeting in person," said Annual Planning Committee Chair, Catherine R. Giasson, DNP, MHA, RN, NE-BC.

Indeed, attendees who have never had the opportunity to experience a NOVA Annual Meeting will finally have a chance to experience the education and networking that draw so many to the annual event. “I always encourage nurses to attend the NOVA Conferences because of the numerous educational and networking opportunities,” Skinner said. “I feel confident that they will enjoy the program, won’t be disappointed, and will have fun too. Our NOVA Chapter 226 Board Members have already started planning a Watch Party with mask wearing and social distancing!”

The keynote address by Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, will focus on leading the VA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other general sessions include Eyes on the Prize: Moving up the VA Career Ladder, Nursing Resiliency: Secrets for Getting Out of the Mindset Alligator Pit and Moving On, Striving for Excellence to Strengthen Your VA Nursing Practice, and more.

Members also can present their practice, research, innovations, and projects through e-posters. These e-posters give viewers a concise snapshot of their work through a single slide presentation that is viewed on a computer.

COVID-19 has made it a tough year for everyone, including NOVA nurses. Canceled in-person events and social distancing guidelines have affected how people connect with one another. NOVA has planned its virtual event to be a safe gathering place for those seeking community. “This year’s virtual NOVA conference will provide an opportunity for our NOVA members to stay connected with one another. During this time of crisis, a sense of purpose and togetherness is needed,” said Skinner.

Haven't registered for NOVA's 40th Annual Meeting yet?  Visit vanurse.org/mpage/AnnualMeeting to preview the schedule, programming and more.

Susan Furlong, BSN, RN

NOVA Chapter 226

VA Boston Healthcare System

Jennifer Jones, LPN

Jennifer Jones, LPN, works in the Podiatry Clinic at the VA Boston Healthcare System. The Podiatrists, Veterans and her co-workers appreciate her professionalism, expertise and kindness and consistently sing her praises. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising when the COVID crisis hit that Jennifer was willing to provide her top-notch level of nursing care wherever she was needed. She was assigned to 7-2-C, the COVID Unit at the Brockton Campus, from April 15, 2020 - June 5, 2020.

Upon arriving to the unit, Jennifer could hear one of the patients loudly voicing their displeasure about being sick, elderly and bedridden. She was apprised by one of her fellow nurses that caring for this particular patient was challenging. Without hesitation, Jennifer entered the patient’s room and introduced herself. Jennifer was surprised when the yelling ceased and the Veteran stated: “Thank you for coming. You have beautiful eyes”. In an instant, a bond was created, the yelling stopped and a more cooperative patient emerged. Jennifer requested to care for this patient every shift she worked.  

Using gentle, kind words Jennifer was able to get the Veteran to share her life story; her career as an interior decorator, the book she wrote, her life in the Army during World War II and many other memorable moments. Jennifer reached out and touched the soul of a lonely, dying female Veteran and as a result, the Veteran found the comfort and solace she required. 

It is with sadness that I inform you that the Veteran did succumb to illness and passed away. However, this Veteran was comforted in her final moments of life and went to her Peace holding the hand of this beautiful heart, Jennifer Jones.

Thank you, Jennifer Jones, for reminding all of us why we went into Nursing in the first place.

Catherine Giasson, DNP, MHA, RN, NE-BC

VA Central Western MA Healthcare System

NOVA Chapter 232

                                                             Tim Moran, BSN, RN

Tim Moran, NOVA Chapter 232 Member and Safe Patient Handling Coordinator at the VA Central Western MA Healthcare System, was instrumental in developing Operation Mail Call for the residents of the Community Living Center (CLC). Concerned that the residents who were confined to the unit due to COVID 19 would become depressed, Tim called upon his experience as a Navy Veteran. He remembered receiving mail from home when he was in the service and how it lifted his spirits. Therefore, Tim wanted to do the same for the Veterans who weren’t allowed visitors during the coronavirus pandemic. He developed Operation Mail Call and when other VAs heard about it, they contacted Tim to help them develop the program at their facilities. NOVA Chapter 232 is proud of their fellow chapter member, Tim, for implementing Operation Mail Call which has helped the Veterans combat loneliness and allowed them to remain connected with their loved ones in a time of social distancing and isolation.

https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/76578/operation-mail-call-connects-isolated-veterans-world/?fbclid=IwAR02lsL2aQey6lde8iXEn3V2W5PQju-jSB1XV7x7cKdkP2_9TApR6KF1c_8        

Ruth Holmes, MS, BSN, RN

NOVA Secretary/Treasurer

Ms. Ruth Holmes, MS, BSN, RN, is an executive level professional nurse with over 40 years of federal service; 32 served in the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and approximately 8 years as a U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps Officer. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Her nursing career includes a diverse leadership background with extensive clinical and administrative knowledge and skills, including experience in aero-evacuation nursing, Ob/Gyn, medical-surgical, neurology, geriatrics and spinal cord injury. Ms. Holmes has obtained nursing certifications in Geriatrics and Administration. One month after leaving the Air Force, she began her VHA career at the Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton VA and while there, served 16 years in several supervisory administrative leadership roles, including Nurse Manager, Associate Chief Nurse and Service Line Associate Chief, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders. 

Ms. Holmes is currently a Clinical Program Manager and Nurse Investigator with the VHA Office of the Medical Inspector (OMI), Central Office VA Headquarters, Washington DC, where she has co-led highly complex Office of Special Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection and VHA Quality of Care Investigations throughout the 200 plus VHA facilities and clinics for over 16 years. In her role as a Clinical Program Manager and Nurse Investigator for the OMI, she investigates quality of care concerns from Veterans, and whistleblower complaints from providers, nurses and other clinical professionals and VA staff. After completing these investigations, she writes professional reports for the Secretary of the VA, Congress, and the Office of Special Counsel, lawyers who report directly to the President. 

Ms. Holmes is loyal to NOVA, serving on the NOVA Board of Directors for over 8 years in several capacities, including Director and currently as the Secretary/Treasurer of NOVA, of which she has served two terms. She serves as a member of NOVA’s Executive Board, Education, Poster Review, and Legislative Committees and is the Chair of the Finance Committee. Ms. Holmes has been a planner for the annual NOVA conferences and presented twice at the conferences; in 2014 at the 34th annual Meeting titled The Role of the Office of the Medical Inspector in Ensuring Quality, Safety and Value in VHA, and in 2016 at the 36th annual Meeting on Mentors: The Underrated Gems in the VA, Why We Need Them. She is a VHA Certified Mentor and has been a NOVA mentor since the program began in 2016. Ms. Holmes has mentored numerous VHA leaders across the VA. She presented a NOVA Webinar entitled, The Importance of Mentoring for VA Nurses: Introduction of NOVA’s New Mentoring Program. She was the keynote speaker at the Hampton VAMC’s 2012 Nurses Week Program and presented on Nurses, Advocating, Leading, Caring.  

Ms. Holmes is active on committees and task forces in the VA and other federal organizations as well as in her local community. She has served on the VHA Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee for over 10 years and is a graduate of numerous VA and Federal Leadership Development programs, including: Federal Executive Institute for Executive Nurses; Executive Career Field Candidacy program; Healthcare Leadership Institute; Leadership VA; VISN-6 Leadership Development Institute; and others throughout her 32 years in the VA. In the community, Ms. Holmes currently serves as a Board Director for the Southeastern Virginia Health System (SEVHS) where she serves on the Finance and Performance Improvement Committees. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nurses Honor Society.