Message from the President
Moving to the Future and Accepting the Challenges
May/June 2025
Ursula Mellinger, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA
ASPAN President 2025-2026
Happy Spring, ASPAN members. I hope everyone who attended the National Conference returned home energized and filled with new knowledge to enhance their perianesthesia practice.
I am pleased to announce the formation of our two new strategic work teams: NextGen and Enhancing Organizational Capacity (EOC). They have already begun their work by holding their first Zoom meetings and establishing their task force. NextGen is exploring innovative methods to engage new perianesthesia nurses and younger generations. They will also work collaboratively with the EOC team. Likely, everyone is now aware of the tasks and proposals for the EOC team. ASPAN's historic reorganization is exciting and invigorating. Our goals are to restructure ASPAN to create larger regional chapters, reduce some of the administrative functions of components, increase and enhance membership, and finally, enhance nursing professional development offerings. This has already begun with the free webcasts, starting with the Summer-Fall 2025 season. There will be a total of over 120 free contact hours. Our current Director for Education, nursing professional development leaders, and team will enhance the process for vetting and mentoring new and emerging speakers for ASPAN. The EOC team, led by Katrina Bickerstaff and Chris Buck, has already begun their meetings and established team leaders. There is much to be done, including planning and creating new guidelines, procedures, policies, and protocols. Our outward appearance may differ, but our roots and passion for perianesthesia nursing will remain deeply embedded. And this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for future updates as we progress through these changes.
We are saddened by Chief Executive Officer Kevin Dill’s retirement. His 30-year dedication to ASPAN has propelled us to where we are today. We wish him well in this retirement. Thank you, Kevin.
ASPAN will welcome Pete Pomilio as our new CEO. Pete comes to ASPAN with a vast background and extensive knowledge of management for non-profit organizations affiliated with nursing specialties. We anticipate progress for ASPAN under his leadership.
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