Specialty Groups — Oncology
ACOA President’s Letter
January/February, 2004
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2004. For most of us, 2004 will be a time for resolutions and changes. Before looking forward into 2004, let’s look back on the accomplishments of 2002 through 2003.
The ACOA Board completed 2002 and 2003 under the leadership and direction of Joseph Spallina. Joe was instrumental in implementing many changes over the past two years. We have seen the development of the ACOA web page, the ACOA one-minute update, a steady increase in new members, and most recently a successful conference in San Antonio. All of these advances have set the stage for a stronger and more energized organization.
We have recently returned home from the ACOA annual conference in San Antonio. Sessions covered many issues, from developing community hospital partnerships, the impact of IMRT on a Cancer Center, to the innovative idea of partnering with a department store to develop and operate a breast center inside the store’s lingerie department. Two of our members, Joseph Spallina and Darlene Johnson received AAMA awards for distinguished service to the academy. It was an exciting conference and is an exciting time to be part of the Academy.
I am honored to serve as your president for the next two years and am pleased to announce the ACOA board for 2004:
Phyllis DeAntonio, RN, MSN, FAAMA, president-elect
Carol Norris, FAAMA, member-at-large
Joseph Spallina, FAAMA, FACHE, past president
Connie Stenquist, FAAMA, member-at-large
One of this year’s goals and the theme for the Academy is to increase the involvement and contributions of its membership. There are a number of areas where this is already happening:
The Education Committee is responsible for the College’s annual conference that will be held October 21st through October 23rd, 2004 in Orlando Florida. Barbara Weber is the Chair and has a committee of enthusiastic members who will be planning a conference that will meet the ongoing needs of our membership and help prepare us for the issues ahead of us.
The Journal of Oncology Management, with Darlene Johnson as Editor-in-Chief, has taken on a whole new meaning. We will continue to have a column on Coding Updates by Cindy C. Parman and Jeannie O’Leary’s Liaison’s report from the College of Surgeons.
Not only have the look and publishers of the Journal changed, but the improved format and content has been carefully reviewed to make it a valuable resource for current and future reference.
As a board, we will continue to work on updating our web page and developing a “members only” component. This will allow us to provide you with the information and services you need and have come to expect as members of ACOA. And let’s not forget about the ACOA one-minute update, a concise e-mail that will allow you quick reading with up to date information. As we continue to move forward in the world of technology, it is important that we keep pace through the information highway.
The primary role of the board and committees is to serve the College’s membership. I encourage you to be come involved in the College this year. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and comments about College activities, the Journal, programs, and our annual conference. We welcome involvement and talents as we strive to make the College, your College, the best it can be!
Best Regards,
Marie S. DeStefano, RN, MSN, FAAMA
President
American College of Oncology Administrators
[email protected]