The Blue Ridge Chapter of the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses was formed due to the efforts of Bonnie Cofflin, RN and Cindy Dalton Ward, RNC from Lynchburg, VA. Meetings were held beginning in 1991 to determine the interest of local nurses in forming a chapter.
After several years of planning meetings to generate interest in AMSN, the Blue Ridge Chapter was officially chartered in 1996. The chapter began as a joint effort between AMSN members in Lynchburg and Roanoke.
The first officers were Mary Beth Hunziker, RN, MSN, president, Gail Frankenberger, RN, president-elect and Cindy Ward, RNC, secretary/treasurer.
The chapter sponsored an all-day seminar, entitled Med-Surg Medley, at the Patrick Henry Hotel in Roanoke in 1997 and 1998. Topics for the first seminar were Nursing in the New Millennium, New Trends in Diabetes Management, AIDS Update: Protease Inhibitors, Lung Reduction Surgery, Legal Aspects of Nursing and Medical and Surgical Retinal Disease. Topics for Med-Surg Medley II included Critical Thinking - The Basis of Effective Nursing Practice, Common Diagnostic Operative Urological Procedures, Current Trends in DVT Prevention and Treatment, Pain Management in the Acute Care Setting, Vacuum Assisted Wound Closing and Managing Bacterial Resistance: Current Concepts and Strategies.
In 1999, following decreased participation of all active members from the Roanoke area, the chapter's base was moved to Lynchburg.
For more information on the Blue Ridge Chapter, please send email to
Cindy Ward, MSN, RN-BC, CMSRN, ACNS-BC
You may also send me mail at:
Cindy Ward, MSN, RN-BC, CMSRN, ACNS-BC
536 Eighth St.
Altavista, VA 24517
