Valley Advanced Practice Nurse Association Minutes
December 3, 2009
Tony Romas South-McAllen
Topic:  "Pain Management"
Speaker: Tim Chowdhury, M.D.  Center for Pain Management- Edinburg, TX
Sponsor:Medtronic, Inc.- Michael Mosley-Sales Representative

Educational Presentation:

Betty Bautista, V.P., introduced Dr. Chowdhury who spoke about types of pain and appropriate
pain management.  Dr. Chowdhury utilized slides to assist in the explanation of the balloon 
kyphoplasty procedure for the treatment of spinal compression fractures.  In addition, Dr.
Chowdhury explained the services offered and the types of pain that are treated at his office.


Business Meeting:

Sandra Gaulke, President called the business meeting to order at 8:25 pm.  Deb de la Rosa, 
Treasurer, distributed and highlighted the October 3rd meeting minutes. Becky Rankin moved
to approve the minutes as read and Betty Bautista, seconded the motion.  

Hilda Solis, Treasurer advised that we profited $7,000.00 from the Annual Conference.  She also 
stated that she is working with a local group to see if they would sponsor the N.P. add in The
Monitor.  

Betty Bautista, advised that the January 2010 meeting would be sponsored by Driscoll
Hospital Services.  It was requested that the monthly meeting announcements be posted
at least one week in advance of the meeting.

Becky Rankin, TNP Regional Legislative Liaison provided a sample of the forms that 
need to be signed by our delegating physician and mailed to the Texas Medical Board.
Becky stated that TNP advised that VAPNA should make 3 contacts with legislators.
It was advised that one contact should take place before Legislative Day.  Senator 
Lucio and Rep. Veronica Gonzalez were legislators that should be contacted.  The
Legislative Day is March 1, 2010, an early bird registration fee of $50.00 is for
those who register by February 15th.  Becky encouraged members to become involved 
and attend the Legislative Day.  On Legislative Day, a morning seminar will be held to
educate attendees on where to go and what to do.  In addition, attendees will be instructed on 
“talking points”, so they will be more confident in approaching the legislators.
TNP has a new affiliate recruitment campaign starting January 1st through June 1st to
encourage local group members to join TNP.   The campaign groups will be color coded by the 
number of members locally: Red Group below 75 members, White Group 76-200 members,
and Blue Group greater than 200 members.   Prizes will be announced on September 11th and 
will include custom banners, 5 free TNP memberships or 2 conference registrations.  Becky 
announced that she will attend the next TNP Board Meeting to be held on January 23, 2010.

Sandra announced that Judy Herman had been appointed to be Website Manager and although 
she has not been attending the meetings as of late, she would like to assist with the website.
Judy is supposed to talk with Rudy to find out why changes have not been made to the website.
Shelley Bryant stated that Rudy would not give her the codes for the website, even though we 
own the site.  Hilda Solis made a motion to have Shelley sit down with Judy and Rudy to discuss 
the Website by December 31st . Deb seconded the motion.  

Hilda reminded members that membership for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is $50.00 per
Year.  Each fall the Chamber announces RN, NP, Doctor of Year, Hospital Specialist of Year. 
This offers great publicity for NPs and allows us great networking.  She advised us to be 
thinking of an NP nominee for next year.