President’s 2009 Update: The Metrolina Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (MCNP) had another successful year in 2009. Under the direction of the 2008-2009 board the MCNP continued to cultivate many opportunities for education and networking. These accomplishments would not have been possible without them and I would like to acknowledge the board members for their dedication and active participation. 2008-2009 Board Members:Michele Dyer, Martha Brinsko, Mary Hosler, Jane Link, Patti Popielec, Sharon Stitt, Cathy Head, Yolanda Levy and LB Sossoman.  The MCNP is a dynamic organization with committed members. Listed below are some of our most notable achievements: Membership:The MCNP is an active organization with its 135 nurse practitioner and student members. Membership fees remain $35 for new members/renewals and $15 for nurse practitioner students.  Mini Conference:To ensure the membership continued to have opportunities to obtain continuing education a conference was developed and held on June 5th. The MCNP Spring Acute Care Mini Conference was attended by 54 participants at Presbyterian Matthews Hospital.  The conference was scored overall as good by attendees and seven contact hours were provided by this day long event. Scholarships:Three scholarships were awarded as follows:

1. The Jane Link Spring Scholarship was awarded to Morgan Greer at the June 5, 2009 mini conference.
2. The Linda Moore Fall Scholarship was awarded to Charlene Whittaker at the November MCNP dinner meeting celebrating National Nurse Practitioner Week (November 9^th – 15^th ).
3. The MCNP donated $500 to the Loretta Ford Scholarship. This scholarship is presented by the NCNA to a nurse practitioner student that meets the NC Foundation criteria.

 Monthly Dinner Meetings:Under the leadership of Michele Dyer, President Elect, and Yolanda Levy, Board Member at Large, 11 dinner meetings were organized. Those dinner meetings were as follows:

1. Osteoporosis and Treatment with Kyphoplasty by Drs. Stein & DeSimone; sponsored by Medtronic
2. Metabolic Syndrome: Assessment of Patient Profiles by Dr. Haigler; sponsored by Novartis
3. Endometrial Ablation by Dr. Adkins; sponsored by Hologic
4. DVT Awareness by Stefanie Britt, PhD; sponsored by Sanofi-Aventis
5. Lipid Lowering Management by Dr. Kowalchuk; sponsored by Pfizer
6. Advances in Pain Exchange by Dr. Pociak; sponsored by King Pharmaceutical
7. Overactive Bladder & Incontinence by Dr. Shandera; sponsored by Astellas Pharmaceuticals
8. Diabetic Management by Dr. Brantley; sponsored by Sanofi
9. New Advances in Gout Treatment by Jason Parrow, PA; sponsored by Takeda
10.  Update on GERD by Dr. Sigmon; sponsored by Santarus
11.  The Latest Management Strategies in Diabetes by Dr. Kelling; sponsored by Merck

 Community Involvement Activities:

1. Crisis Assistance Ministry - collection of coats, gloves, scarves, hats
2. Harris YMCA Health Fair Booth
3. Second Harvest Food Bank – collection of canned goods
4. Classroom Central - collection of school supplies for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System
5. Back to School Pack a Backpack – collection of backpacks with school items for children within the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System

 Political Involvement:

1. Cathy Head attended the NCNA Nurse Practitioner Symposium,

      April 19^th – 23^rd in Atlantic Beach, NC

1. Martha Brinsko and Mary Hosler attended the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner Conference in Nashville, TN, June 17^th – 21^st

 Elections:During the MCNP’s 4^th quarter Board meeting on October 7^th , Michele Dyer’s position on the board changed to President and Yolanda Levy, Member at Large, was unanimously elected to the President Elect position.       Elections were held on November 10^th during the dinner meeting at the Marriott Charlotte SouthPark Hotel celebrating National Nurse Practitioner Week. The following members were elected:Rhonda Cooper        SecretaryVanessa Laloggia    Special ProjectsTawana Dickinson    Member at Large It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your President in 2009. Thank you all for your time and commitment to moving the MCNP forward. Respectfully submitted,Ashley Moore