Contact: Carol Feuss, MA
Labor Communications Specialist
Michigan Nurses Association
517/349-5640, ext. 21 or (cell) 517/230-4086
carol.feuss@minurses.org

October 17, 2006

MICHIGAN NURSES ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES TOP PROFESSIONALS AT ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Okemos, Michigan – The Michigan Nurses Association recognized registered nurses from across the state for their contributions to the profession and the organization at a 40th anniversary celebration of the MNA Economic and General Welfare (E&GW) Program at the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University on Wednesday, October 4, 2006.

Jennifer Casey, RN, of Manistique, MI, received an Economic and General Welfare Achievement Award. Jennifer is the chairperson of the Professional Registered Nurses of Schoolcraft Memorial in Manistique, Michigan. As a relatively new nurse, Jenn willingly jumped into leadership roles. As Chairperson of her local bargaining unit, she is their chief negotiator and has been involved in negotiations during the last five years. Jenn was also the first nurse in the nation to complete the United American Nurses’ new on-line Steward Training class.

Kellie Deschaine, RN, of Delton, MI, received an Economic and General Welfare Achievement Award. She is a staff nurse in labor and delivery at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is the grievance chair for the Borgess Staff Nurse Council. Kellie was awarded a UAN Labor Education Scholarship for her coursework in the MSU Labor Studies Program for Registered Nurses.

Debra Houser, RN, of Mt. Pleasant, MI received an Economic and General Welfare Achievement Award. She is the secretary/treasurer of the Central Michigan Community Hospital Registered Nurses Association in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. As a leader of one of MNA’s newest local bargaining units, Deb was instrumental in designing the the CMCH Registered Nurses Association website.

Patricia Meave, RN, of Kalamazoo, MI, received an Economic and General Welfare Achievement Award. Pat is the chairperson of the Borgess Staff Nurse Council and is a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Borgess Medical center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She served in numerous leadership roles including on the MNA Cabinet on Economic & General Welfare and as a member panelist at MNA’s Crisis in Nursing workshops. Pat is attending the MSU Labor Studies Program and is working on her BSN at the University of Michigan.

Stephanie Minerath, RN, of Dexter, MI, received an Economic and General Welfare Achievement Award. Stephanie is vice chair of the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Stephanie has provided leadership in many ways. She has been the Vice Chair of UMPNC for the last four years, and has been on their bargaining team numerous times. At the state level, she has served on the MNA Nominating Committee, the MNA Board of Directors, and as a delegate to both the MNA and ANA houses.

Becky Splitt, RN, of Alpena, MI, received an Economic and General Welfare Achievement Award. is the Grievance Chair for the Alpena Regional Medical Center Staff Nurse Council I and was a member of the bargaining team during the last round of negotiations. She participated in the first United American Nurses Local Bargaining Unit training in Chicago this year and was recently elected as President of MNA’s Northern Great Lakes Chapter (2). Becky is a nurse in Alpena’s Women’s Health Department.

Denise O’Brien, MSN, APRN, FAAN, of Ypsilanti, MI, received the 2006 MNA Excellence in Nursing Practice Award. Denise is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Post anesthesia Care Unit at University of Michigan Health Systems in Ann Arbor. Denise is a respected author and lecturer, and has presented nationally and internationally. She is a frequent contributor to the Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, nursing textbooks, and has written over 12 books. Denise has held leadership positions in many professional associations, including President and Vice President of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN).

Theresa Premo-Peaphon, RNC, BA, of Dewitt, MI received the 2006 Outstanding Contribution to MNA Award. Terri is a Certified Inpatient Obstetric Nurse at Sparrow Health System in Lansing and a Senior Organizer/RN Lobbyist for MNA. She helped form the United American Nurses, the MNA/UAW Healthcare Workplace Alliance, and developed a mutual gains philosophy that is still used in negotiations. She has a long history of involvement within MNA - serving on the E&GW Cabinet, the MNA Board of Directors, and as an ANA and National Labor Assembly delegate.

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The Michigan Nurses Association, nurses' voice for 100 years, is the largest nurses' union in the State of Michigan . The Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) promotes the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, fosters high standards of nursing practice, and lobbies the legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and recipients of nursing services. MNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association and the United American Nurses, as well as an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.