This is my second congress. I first attended this event two years ago in Anaheim since it was very close to where I lived. Being a first-timer, I didn’t really know how to get involved with the event or the organization in general, even though I had been a member for eight years. This time was different.
This year’s congress was in Denver. Denver is a beautiful area and definitely gave us a wide selection of weather from 70’s one day to snow the next. I arrived early Saturday, March 12th, because I was a poster participant this year. My poster, I am proud to say, won one of the 2010 poster excellence awards. That afternoon, since I opted not to attend any intensives, I drove up to Estes Park. For anyone who has never been to this area, it is beautiful! Since I am also a confirmed horror film addict so, of course, I had to stop by the famous Stanley Hotel. If you are a Stephen King fan, you know this hotel. In keeping with my addiction, I also took the Lodo Ghost tour on Sunday evening that was set up through the AORN tours. It was a great tour of downtown Denver, except for the fact that it was raining and we were all freezing.
I was again a delegate at this congress, this time for eChapter. I attended several events throughout the week as a part of my delegate responsibilities. Since I am also a part of the coordinating council as the Education Chair for the Endovascular/Vascular special assembly, I was also involved with that SA update meeting and the reception dinner. I also had the special opportunity to help with another SA’s volunteer project, Project C.U.R.E.
Finally, on the last day of congress, I was a speaker with my fellow coordinating council members for “The Pulse of Vascular Surgery.” This was my first large presentation, gathering approximately 200 people. Amazingly, everything went very well.
I say all this to show members who have never attended congress or think it’s just a large continuing education conference, that there is so much you can be involved in if you wish. I am already planning another poster and an intensive with my coordinating council for next year… Hope to see you there!
Michelle