Command Changes at AORN

DENVER, CO-New 2000-2001 officers of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) were elected at the recent AORN Congress in New Orleans. Brenda C. Ulmer, RN, MN, CNOR, will be the new President; Sheila L. Allen, RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA, President-elect; and Betty J. Shultz, RN, CNOR, Vice President. Each officer will occupy her position for a one-year term.

Ulmer is currently a clinical nurse educator for the education department of Valleylab, Inc. (Stone Mountain, Ga). She has 23 years of experience as a perioperative nurse and has been a member of AORN for 21 years. As a registered nurse working in the industry sector, Ulmer says she is able to practice in a role that supports her values by educating nurses and surgeons on the safe use of electrosurgical and ultrasonic devices. She says, "It is my strong belief that if even one patient is prevented from being injured because of what I do, then it's worth all my effort."

Allen, currently a staff nurse at Baton Rouge General Medical Center, will serve as President-elect and then become President. She has been a perioperative nurse and member of AORN for 31 years.

Shultz, president/educator of Surgical Services Specialists (Westlake, Ohio) and a per diem staff nurse and RN first assistant at University Health Systems of Cleveland, will serve as Vice President. She has been a perioperative nurse for 33 years and a member of AORN for 27 years.