CTSGNA President's Letter

2024 CTSGNA President ~ January Welcome Letter

Our recent challenging temperatures and precipitation make traveling to work and appointments a task for both staff and patients! May everyone be keeping well and safe with this New Year off to a bright start!

CTSGNA has several programs in the works to enhance nurses and associates in Gastroenterology. The continued goal is to provide our patients with smooth efficient and comfortable care as they maneuver through the barrage of tests, procedures, treatments and information needed to accomplish their specific goals. Knowledge of the latest trends, equipment and management of such to help keep practice up to date with best possible outcomes.

As I stated last year, communication is key. CTSGNA continues to work to keep members informed through our website www.ctsgna.org and blast emails. We are looking into more exposure through social media to help highlight and increase participation with CTSGNA and at our educational events. Do you recall that CTSGNA once had a newsletter? Keep an eye out as a resurrection may be on the horizon with some focus on what we do and who’s out there doing it! Looking forward to this and working with more members taking an active role in the future of this professional organization! Networking with colleagues can provide for sharing of ideas and practice points to further improve and streamline delivery of care.

Save the date! CTSGNA’s 2024 Beyond the Scope (BTS) program will be held on Saturday, September 21st . The decision was made to move the program up one month to open more educational possibilities due to multiple programming in October. Gail Steele and Holly Sanzo are co-chairing BTS and it will again be held at the Doubletree by Hilton centrally located in Bristol, details to be posted when available.

SGNA’s 51st Annual Course will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, May 9th - 11th . This is a great opportunity to build your knowledge and secure GI specific credit!

Please keep in mind that CTSGNA has scholarships available to its members! It is easy to apply and the information is conveniently located on the website under documents. These scholarships can cover educational opportunities like BTS, the SGNA national conference or other conferences in other regions. Did you know that SGNA is comprised of 47 regions?

Currently there is planning for a CTSGNA Hands-On ERCP program possibly in the spring! As soon as this information is available it will be posted prominently!

CTSGNA will continue to provide opportunities, both live and virtual options for GI specific credit. Our next educational opportunity will be a virtual program on February 15th , 2024 at 6pm. “Building a Strong IP Endo Team Relationship” will be presented by Seth Hendee from Healthmark.

Please contact the CTSGNA board at ctsgnaboard@gmail.com with any presentation suggestions, ideas or inspirations to help improve our task of enhancing GI practice and patient experience!

Thank-you for all you do every day for the patients you serve!

Sincerely, Kathleen Saunders, BSN, RN, CGRN; 2024 CTSGNA President