ANPA Weekly Update

Happy Holidays!

We hope that our members, their families, and friends had a wonderful, safe, and healthy Thanksgiving. The ANPA is truly thankful for each of our members who represent our remarkable profession. 

Post-Holiday travel has the US healthcare system bracing for an influx of COVID patients. It's important for all NPs to stay updated on the current recommendations and guidelines pertaining to their practice specialty and setting. Not only does this translate into the best care possible for patients, but it also helps you provide them with the most accurate and up-to-date information. This is a challenge since guidance seems to change daily. Just this week, the Center's for Disease Control and Prevention released updates on quarantine, with a "reduced quarantine" option. The healthcare system also has a new drug in its COVID treatment arsenal; bamlanivimab. The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the investigational monoclonal antibody therapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate symptoms in early November. Arkansas received more shipments of bamlanivimab this week. The doses are being allocated and shipped directly to approximately 40 hospitals across the state, where it is administered in an outpatient setting. St. Benard's in Jonesboro has opened an outpatient clinic specifically for COVID treatment infusions, follow-up, and vaccination. Hopefully, these types of clinics will become more widespread and accessible in the near future. We also have hope on the vaccine front. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) delivering its recommendations on December, 1st in an emergency meeting. The ANPA will continue to provided updates on vaccines as they come available. 

Educational Grant Award Recipient

Congratulations to Constance Farris for being selected as ANPA Spring 2021 Educational Grant recipient. Constance is a Labor and Delivery nurse at the Medical Center of South Arkansas. She has a passion for her mothers, babies, and families that she cares for on a daily basis. She is also the bereavement coordinator at her hospital and has helped to organize a nonprofit burial fund to help families that have lost a child with funeral expenses. Constance organizes their annual Walk to Remember, an event where they honor and say the names of the babies that have been lost throughout the year. Her peers describe her character as "diligent, hard-working, outstanding, respected, selfless, and deserving."  She is currently continuing her education to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.  ANPA congratulates Constance and wishes her well in her future endeavors as an NP. She will receive a $500 award to be used for her educational expenses.

District 4 Christmas Party

December 8th, 6:00-8:00 pm
Fayrays Restaurant
Hosted by the ANPA and AstraZeneca
***Please bring donations for Wings of Love (hygiene products, canned goods, blankets, pillows, towels, and dark-colored t-shirts)***
RSVP ASAP (by 12/5/20) (870) 866-4235

Conference Update

The Conference Committee continues to monitor COVID-19. With the increasing cases, we are remaining vigilant but optimistic about our Spring 2021 Conference. The education committee is seeking abstracts with NEW topics while we prepare for a potential virtual (live) 2-day platform if needed. SAVE THE DATE for April 23-24!  Hopefully, we will see you in Hot Springs.

-Julia Ponder, Conference Chair

Newsletter Committee

Articles are to be submitted for consideration to Steffany Benton, newsletter committee. We are always looking for content to benefit our members! Please contact Steffany with any questions. Interested in joining the committee? We would love to have you! Email news@anpassociation.org

-Steffany Benton, Newsletter Committee

Member Benefit

Free E-Books are being offered to members of the ANPA first!  The book is Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed's  "Chronic Pain: The Patient and Family Journey".

Those who would like a copy will need to email me at Jennifer.shuler@dhs.arkansas.gov for codes to redeem the book on Amazon.

This gift was made possible from funding from SAMHSA, as part of a grant to combat the opioid epidemic.

-Jennifer Shuler, Member at Large

Thank you for what you do every day!  If there is ever anything you want to share, please email webmaster@anpassociation.org.