At AHNA, we have been working diligently this past year to determine the best path for the future direction of our organization. This path has led us to a shift in operations, responding from the heart to the needs of our members as we strive to better serve you and the changing face of health care. 

In July, the AHNA Leadership Council voted to pursue association management services from Association Headquarters (AH) which is located in Mount Laurel, NJ.  The next step in this process was to discuss and find common ground for purchasing services.  This was part of examining the day-to-day management needs of AHNA, balanced with the resources and strategic direction for continued growth.  We knew that exploring moving away from a self-managed association model would be a challenge.

We have now completed that work, and are pleased to announce that Terri Roberts JD, RN has accepted the position of Executive Director of AHNA effective December 1, 2012. For the time being, we have decided to retain our self-managed association model and contract with Association Headquarters (AH) only to provide Event Management and Marketing Services for the 2013 AHNA Conference in Norfolk, Virginia.

This decision was reached after four months of review and evaluation of the options for moving AHNA forward, including a focus on raising the visibility of holistic nursing, and providing expanded programmatic services for our membership.  This does mean that AHNA will remain self-managed for now, outsourcing only one programmatic activity to AH (Conference 2013 logistics and marketing). The current AHNA national office in Flagstaff, AZ will be relocated to Topeka, KS by the end of November.  Becky Lara, AHNA's Director of Communications will be continuing her employment with AHNA as the Editor of Beginnings magazine. The AHNA toll-free phone number will continue to be (800) 278-2462, and the website (www.ahna.org) and staff e-mail addresses will also remain the same.

Terri has been serving as the Interim Executive Director of AHNA since February 2012. The AHNA Leadership Council has been very pleased with Terri's abilities to manage AHNA, as well as her passion for this work. We feel that Terri's expertise and scope of knowledge will help guide AHNA to the next level. Terri previously served for 23 years as the Executive Director of the Kansas State Nurses Association (KSNA), representing KSNA and professional nurses before the Kansas Legislature, state agencies and in interactions with other healthcare organizations. She was the Editor In-Chief of The Kansas Nurse, a refereed journal, and the Editor of a Legislative Newsletter that was published weekly during the Kansas legislative session each year. She also was the coordinator of their Continuing Education Providership, and staffed KSNA's Practice, Education and Continuing Education Councils and several standing committees.

Terri is a 1978 graduate of Washburn University School of Nursing and a 1982 graduate of Washburn University School of Law. Prior to her position at KSNA, Terri worked in a variety of settings including as a cardio-thoracic staff nurse at Stormont-Vail Hospital and George Washington University Hospital; as an intern on Capital Hill for the Special Committee on Aging; and as DRG Coordinator at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She has served on numerous committees and task forces in Kansas and for the American Nurses Association. She was recently re-appointed by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt to serve a second term on the Tower Foundation Board of Directors which administers mental health services program grants in the state. She is also a past president of the Kansas Society of Association Executives (KSAE), and served in several elected leadership positions for KSAE from 2002 until 2006. 

In addition, we are confident that Association Headquarters (AH) will provide for an exceptional conference experience in 2013. AH has more than 30 years of experience and 160 association management professionals on staff.  AH currently provides client services for twenty-eight associations, including three national nursing specialty organizations: The American Association of Heart Failure Nurses; The Dermatology Nurses Association; and The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Society.  AH is one of the most prominent association management companies in the world.

During the relocation of the national office and the partnering with AH for Conference 2013 planning and promotion, there may be a need for additional time to respond to inquiries and follow-up on requests as new staff are hired, oriented and brought into the AHNA family.  We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience. We are grateful to the AHNA staff that have remained with us during this time and will be rewarding them for their dedication, commitment and loyalty.

AHNA's history is embodied in many historical artifacts, photos, artwork and documents at the AHNA national office. Be assured that securing and preserving these items will be a priority during the transition, as they are an important part of our history.

We want to thank you for your continued support of AHNA and joining us as we work together to grow the profession of holistic nursing. As we shift into a new chapter for AHNA, we remember our roots and all those who have worked tirelessly to build up our organization.  Thank you for preserving the heart and soul of holistic nursing.  

With gratitude and optimism,

Glenda Christiaens PhD, RN, AHN-BC
AHNA President