By June of 1971 a slate of candidates for chapter officers, Board members and Nominating Committee had been prepared.  Shirley Phillips was elected our first President.  Marty Parliapiano from Rockford, then national AORN President Elect was our first program speaker and officially recognized the chapter.  Bylaws were developed and approved at the September 1971 meeting.  By October, the chapter had 34 members.  Meetings rotated monthly between member hospitals.  The first Christmas party was held at the Studio Resturant in Morton Grove at a cost of $6.00 per person.  Two delegates were sent to the 1972 AORN Congress in Houston. Weekly registration was $10. Our first fund raiser, a White Elephant Sale, was held in April of 1972.  In May our first birthday was celebrated at Northwest Community Hospital with a Style Show featuring Operating Room attire from the era of Florence Nightengale through the trendy “hot pants” of the late 60’s early 70’s.  

At the June of 1972 meeting, Shirley Phillips was presented a charm representing  a small token of appreciation for the significant contribution she made in forming our chapter and serving as the first President.  Dennis Schoff was installed as the second President serving for the 1972-73 term.

1972-73

By September of 1972 our treasurery contained $418.  Program highlights for the year included:

·         Malpractice Insurance

·         Microneurosurgery presented by Dr. Ivan Ciric from Evanston Hospital

·         Accupuncture

·         Total Joint Replacement presented by Dr. Jerry Head from Lutheran General Hospital

·         Chemonucleolysis presented by Dr. Afelback

Each speaker was given a plaque at a cost of $1.50 each.  The fund raising campaign in the Spring of 1973, a stationary sale, turned a profit of $208.  Our membership roster swelled to 68 and Dennis retained the Presidency for a second term.

1973-74

By September 0f 1973 Lutheran General Hospital had been chosen as a centralized meeting location.  Refreshments for the monthly meetings were provided by Dr Charles Staley, Chief of the Department of Surgery at Lutheran General Hospital.  To promote chapter vitality, membership recruitment and volunteerism for chapter committees was emphasized.  Continuing education and certification were emerging concerns for relicensure.  Nursing Audit was a hot topic as was the effects of waste anesthetic agents.  At the AORN Congress our chapter received the 1973 Membership Award for Region V. President Nixon recognized National Nurses Week by stating:  “We have come to appreciate more than ever the complex and expanding role which nurses play in our health care system”.  Cost of the June dinner was $5.75 per person.

1974-75

Under the leadership of President Celeste Little, 1974-75 highlights were:

·         CEU’s were obtained from the Illinois Nurses Association for monthly educational programs

·         Our first fashion show chaired by Marilyn Wolfe was held at Arlington Park Towers in October.  Fashions were from Charles Stevens and Baskins.  Admission was $8.00 and raffle tickets sold for $.50 each.  Over $2,000 was raised.

·         All of the Operating Room nurses at Alexian Brothers Medical Center were members of the chapter.

·         The Board was seeking “new blood” for the committees.

·         Four delegates were sent to the AORN Congress in Dallas.  They attended the first Delegate Breakfast meeting of Illinois Operating Room nurses

·         Over 150 nurses attended the first chapter workshop, “The Multiple Trauma Patient”, held at Harper College.

·         The June installation dinner at Hackney’s was $4.25 per person.

1975-76

With Carol Tyler serving as President, the following events took place:

·         Fall educational workshop was held in September.

·         The first Las Vegas Night was held at the American Legion Hall in Arlington Heights with Marlene Brown serving as Chairperson.  A free trip to Las Vegas was the raffle prize.  Over $3,500 was raised and plans were quickly underway to make this an annual event.

·         Chapter membership reached 126.

·         Five delegates were sent to the AORN Congress.

·         The chapter had one member serving on a national committee and another seeking a national office.

·         National dues were raised to $25.

·         Legislative issues were becoming an organizational concern and the national Legislative Committee was established.

·         Initial steps were taken by AORN in collaboration with ANA to develop an OR nursing certification program.

·         Absentee ballots were made available to chapter members for the May election.

·         Cost of the June dinner increased to $4.50 per person.

1976-77

Highlights of 1976-77 under the direction of President Terry Lewan included:

·         For a $20 registration fee, members attended the Fall Workshop.  Topics included Constructive Conflict Resolution, Your Journey to Assertiveness, and Why No One Listens To You.

·         The second Las Vegas Night realized a profit over $3,000.

·         With a chapter membership of 134, five delegates and two alternates were sent to the AORN Congress.

·         HEW was addressing the issue of the need for a registered nurse functioning as a circulating nurse and Virginia passed legislation making the RN 1^st Assistant a recognized role within the scope of their Nurse Practice Act.

·         A bill was introduced in Springfield regarding mandatory continuing education for RN relicensure.

·         National AORN was conducting a feasibility study to determine the need and potential use for an education center at Headquarters.

·         The Spring workshop addressed pre and postoperative visits, nursing audit and our expanding role.

·         Cost of the June dinner doubled to $8.70 per person.

1977-78

With Marlene Brown serving as President:

·         Membership grows to over 150.

·         The chapter sent six delegates to the 25^th AORN Congress.

·         The treasurery showed a balance of $7,000.

·         Las Vegas Night raised over $3,300.

·         The chapter awarded four scholarships.

·         The Spring Workshop, “When I grow Up:  Vital Concepts for OR Nurses”, featured nationally renoun speakers Julie Kneedler and Rose Marie McWilliams.

·         AORN established an independent certification program, ground was broken for the Education Building at Headquarters, HEW and the RN circulator remained a hot yet unresolved issue and Shirley Phillips was elected to the national AORN Board of Directors.

·         The cost of the June dinner dropped to $8.50.

1978-79

Marilyn Wolfe’s presidency was highlighted by:

·         Chapter dues was raised to $10.

·         The 3^rd Las Vegas Night raised over $4,000.

·         A second fund raiser, an art auction, was held in February in Long Grove.  Admission was $5.

·         Caroline Rogers, then AORN’s Director of Membership, visited the chapter and presented a program on Chapter Dynamics.

·         HEW was seriously considering allowing Operating Room technicians to perform circulating duties in the OR.  Chapter members were busy writing Senators Percy and Stevenson in opposition.

·         Our Spring Workshop, “Windmills of Your Mind”, held at Triton College featured Clifford Jordan.  Dr. Jordan became to Executive Director of AORN in 1983.

·         CEU’s for monthly chapter programs was reinstituted.

·         Carol Tyler was nominated as a candidate for National Committee on Nominations.

·         The June installation dinner cost was $7.50 per person.

1979-80

Under the direction of President Judy Carlson:

·         The Board expressed concern to the membership about declining attendance at monthly meetings, workshops and fund raising events.

·         The 4^th Las Vegas Night raised $2,666 and anatomical T-shirts were sold as a second fund raiser.

·         Membership reached 165.

·         Minutes from business meetings were published in the newsletter.

·         Three chapter members were successful in passing the first OR Nursing certification exam.

·         Monthly programs included Hemodynamic Monitoring, Teamwork in the OR, and the Patient, The Law and The Nurse.

·         The fiscal year ended with a balance of $6,500.

·         AORN was conducting research concerning the effectiveness of an all RN OR staff.

·         November 14^th was declared OR Nurse Day.  The event was announced on WGN radio by Wally Phillips and an official proclamation was signed by Governor James Thompson.

·         Chapter CNOR’s  Marilyn Wolfe and Carol Tyler were recognized

·         The June installation dinner reached a cost in double digits:  $10 per person.

1980-81

Phyliss Haslem’s year as President was highlighted by:

·         The celebration of the chapter’s 10^th anniversary.  A festive dinner was held at Mr. Peter’s at a cost of $8.50 per person.

·         The first chapter Project Alpha Committee was established with the goal of introducing Operating Room nursing into the generic student curriculum.

·         A chapter Research Committee was formed.

·         Seven additional chapter members became certified.

·         The 5^th Las Vegas Night raised over $2,800.

·         The annual Christmas Party was discontinued due to declining interest.

·         Monthly programs included Transphenodial Hypophysectomy and Stress:  A Three Edge Sword.

·         The Spring Workshop, “Trauma Situation Critical”, had a pre-registration of 169 and a registration fee of $25.

·         An antique gavel was presented to the chapter by Claudia Kastner and Peggie Hurrie.

·         The June dinner cost was $10.20 per person.

1981-82

This was the first term for President Johna Brand and the significant events were:

·         The focus was on legislative awareness and issues for perioperatative nurses and health care.

·         The 6^th and last Las Vegas Night raised $2,100.

·         NWSCC hosted the Fall ICORN luncheon.

·         OR Nurse Day activities included a chapter display at the Yorktown Mall.

·         Monthly programs included:  Assertive Communication, Pediatric Anesthesia and Implementation of Project Alpha in the Clinical Setting.

·         A bylaw change reduced the quorum to conduct chapter business to 10% of the membership.

·         “Implementation of Standards of Practice:  Perioperative Nursing” featuring national speaker Bradley Manuel was the Spring Workshop.

·         Chapter members were serving at the national level.  Marilyn Wolfe was appointed to the AORN Membership Committee and Carol Tyler was elected to the AORN Board of Directors.

·         The year ended with a balance of $4,913.

1982-83

Due to the resignation of the President Elect, Johna Brand graciously consented to serve a second term as President.  The activities for the year included:

·         An OR Nurse Day display at the Town and Country Mall.

·         Program highlights included Nursing Diagnosis, Statistics for the OR, Angioplasty and Arthroscopy.

·         Fund raising activities included a fashion show, sale of Shacklee products, Dominic Day coupons and Spiegel discounts.

·         A luncheon was held for area OR managers to recruit and encourage chapter membership and participation.

·         The Chicago Chapter celebrated their 20^th anniversary with Jerry Peers, then AORN Executive Director, as keynote speaker.

·         The chapter workshop featured William Reagan and Jan Schultz presenting “Medical Legal Implications for Perioperative Practice Setting:.

·         Governor Thompson signed a bill providing funding for BSN completion students.

·         In January HEW finally issued regulations stating “only an RN may circulate during surgery”.

·         Marilyn Wolfe was appointed Chairperson of the AORN Membership Committee.

·         Jerry Peers retired as Executive Director of AORN and Dr. Clifford Jordan  was hired to fill the position.

1983-84

Phyliss Haslem served a second tern as President.  Events for the year included:

·         Zimmer Orthopedics hosted the first of many annual September kickoff dinner meetings.

·         Harper College offered a course in OR Nursing from August through October with 17 RN’s participating.

·         Membership incentive of $5 for each new member recruited for AORN membership with a result of 12 RN’s signing up at the September meeting.. Total chapter membership reached 204.

·         Workshop held at North Park College on “Infection Control” presented by nationally recognized experts Sue Crow and Rosemarie McWilliams.

·         OR Nurse Day activities once again held at Town and Country Mall.

·         Program highlights included Computers in the OR, Heart Transplantation and Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy.

·         Fund raising activities included a February fashion show, tupperware sales and Spiegel catalog rebates.

·         Treasury $6,729.

·         ICORN hosted by South Suburban Chapter and members participated in an Illinois Breakfast at Congress in Atlanta.

1984-85

Shirley Phillips, NWSCC founding member, served an additional tern as President.  Highlights for the year included:

·         The Fall Workshop was a national seminar:  Your Chapter – Survival, Growth, Excellence.

·         The ICORN luncheon was held in Peoria at a cost of $10.00 per attendee.

·         The chapter sent seven delegates to the AORN Congress in Dallas

·         NWSCC hosted the ICORN meeting held at Congress.

·         Darlene Ayers displayed chapter AORN membership recruitment poster at Congress.

·         The fund raising event for the year, Fashion Fantasy, was held in April at Fireside Inn in Morton Grove.

·         Chapter members began discussions concerning the use of a point system to select delegates to AORN Congress.

·         The annual June meeting and installation was held at Heuer’s Restaurant in Rosement – a prime rib dinner for $12.65.

1985-86

Nancy Walker’s Presidency was noted for the following:

·         The Fall Workshop, Ethical and Moral Problems in Perioperative Nursing, was presented by the recognized nursing leader Leah Curtin.  Attendance was 86 with a registration fee of $40.

·         Ways and Means activities included pocket calendars and candy sales.

·         An OR Nurse Day display was held at Deerbrook Mall.

·         The Board made the decision to discontinue coffee service at the meeting to realize a savings of $400 annually.

·         The ICORN Fall Luncheon was held at O’Hare Holiday Inn at a cost of $15 per person.

·         Seven delegates were sent to the 33^rd  AORN Congress in Anaheim.

·         A dues increase of $15 was proposed.

·         A Preparation for Certification (CNOR) Workshop was held in Chicago.

·         Marilyn Wolfe was a  candidates for national  AORN Board of Directors..

·         Lutheran General Hospital was the site for filming the movie “Vital Signs” with Ed Asner.

·         By March of 1986, AORN national membership reached 34,000.

1986-87

President Shirley Donatt’s term was highlighted by:

·         Chapter membership reached 174 and dues was increased to $25.

·         The ICORN Fall luncheon was held in Decatur at a cost of $10.50 per person.

·         The point system was used for the first time to select eight delegates to the AORN Congress in Atlanta.

·         Monthly programs included:  INA Lobby Activities, Laser Utilization, Surgical Treatment of Skin Cancer, Chemically Dependant RN’s and OR Nursing Research.

·         OR Nurse Day was again recognized with a display at Deerbrook Mall.

·         The Ways and Means Committee project was T-shirt sales.

·         The chapter held a Risk Management Workshop in March presented by nationally acknowledged experts Patricia Kapsar and Ellen Murphy.

·         The June Installation Dinner was held at Kathryn’s for $17 per person.

1987-88

Helen Hallquist served the first of two terms as chapter President.  Events during the year included:

·         Policy Manuals reviewed and revised.

·         Monthly education programs covered AIDS in the OR, Ambiguous Genitalia, Computers in the OR, Personal Finances and Ethics – No Code.

·         Shirley Donatt participated as a leader for an educational trip to China for RN’s with Mary Lou Skogland one of the participants.

·         Fall ICORN meeting was hosted by Peoria.

·         Illinois Nurse Practice Act was up for sunset review.

·         In recognition of the Chicago Chapter’s 25^th Anniversary, NWSCC gave a $20 benefactor gift.

·         Chapter members celebrated the Christmas holiday by caroling at St. Matthew’s Home for the Aged.

·         The 35^th AORN Congress was held in Dallas.

·         ANA President Margrette Styles sent a telegram to the American Hospital Association concerning the nursing shortage:  “Join in aggressive efforts to urge employers of nurses to promote salaries, working conditions, benefits and patient care policies that recruit, retain well qualified RN’s in the workplace.”.

1988-89

Events occurring during  President Marla Cohen’s term in office included:

·         Meeting time was changed to 6pm-8:30pm in an effort to increase attendance.

·         Monthly programs addressed AIDS, Stress Management, Liability Insurance, Gyne Update and Leadership Skills.

·         Carol Tyler and Roger Stone were candidates for national office, President Elect and Board of Directors respectively.

·         Nurses empowered themselves by starting a write-in campaign to sponsors of the television program “Nightengales” to remove it from the air as not displaying nursing in a positive manner.

·         While at Congress in Anaheim, chapter member Eleanor Goeters underwent an emergency appendectomy.

·         It was noted that CNOR’s at St. Peter’s Medical Center in New Jersey received a $4 per hour differential.

1989-90

Joanne Stermer’s Presidency was highlighted by the following:

·         Goals were identified to increase chapter growth and attendance at meetings.

·         Programs included Laser Angioplasty, Dealing with Difficult People, OR Disasters:  Flood Humidity and Power, AIDS/Hepatitis B and In-Vitro Failures.

·         Chapter member Marilyn Wolfe and the Vice President of Parkside Material Services are program presenters at the Atlanta Congress.

·         Terry Lewan chaired the Fall ICORN luncheon at the Milk Pail in Dundee.  Cost was $10 per person.

·         Nationally recognized speaker Estelle Davison-Crewes presented the March workshop entitled “Women Working with Women”.

·         Legislative issues included pay equity and scholarships for BSN programs.

·         The Registered Care Technician (RCT) initiative adopted by the AMA was oppposed by nursing professionals and major efforts were undertaken to block implementation of this role.

·         Chapter membership was 190 entitling NWSCC to eight delegates.

·         Clifford Jordan retired as AORN Executive Director and Lola Fehr, then AORN Director of Membership, was named his replacement.

·         The Traveling Chapter Attendance Award was presented to Evanston Hospital for the year.

1990-91

Under the leadership of President Cara Zermuehlen:

·         The balance in the treasury was $9,500 compared to $200-$300 in 1971.

·         The 1989 AORN Award for Excellence recipient, Elaine Thomson-Keith, was the guest speaker for the September kick-off meeting.

·         The chapter workshop, “Pride in the Power of Professional Nursing”, was presented by Sharon Cox, a well known AORN Congress speaker.

·         The chapter’s 20^th Anniversary Celebration was held at Valley Lo Sports Club with Lola Fehr, AORN Executive Director, special guest speaker.

·         Using the point system for delegate selection, six delegates were funded to the AORN Congress.

·         Program highlights for the year included Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies, Living Wills, ECMO, Successful Management of Change and Caring for Addicted Perioperative Patients.

·         To provide for continuity, workshop plans will bridge from year to year.

·         National dues were raised by $10 – the first increase in ten years.

·         National membership reached 44,000.

·         In response to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm chapter military nurses were activated.

1991-92

During President Pam Martens term, the following  took place:

·         Chapter meetings moved to the Green Room at Lutheran General Hospital.

·         Chapter membership grew to 230.

·         NWSCC joined with the Chicago Chapter to establish affiliate membership with the Illinois Nurses Association.

·         The chapter workshop addressed “Sexual Harassment in the Healthcare Workplace”.

·         Carol Tyler was the recipient of the first Outstanding Achievement Award in Perioperative Clinical Practice at the 40^th AORN Congress in Anaheim.

1992-93

Highlights occurring during the Presidency of Darlene Ayers included:

·         New member handbooks were completed and distributed.

·         Newsletter stamps increased to 29 cents.

·         The first Vendor’s Fair was held in April.

·         The chapter workshop, “Quality in Perioperative Nursing”, was held at Northwest Community Hospital.

·         NWSCC dues increased to $35 annually.

1993-94

President Kathleen O’Toole oversaw the following events:

·         AORN President Dr. Jane Rothrock was the featured speaker at the November meeting celebrating OR Nurses Day.

·         The chapter workshop, “Laughter Matters/People Reading skills”, was presented by featured AORN Congress speaker Donna Strichland.

·         The 2^nd Annual Vendor’s Night was held at Lutheran General Hospital.

1994-95

During the Presidency of Myra Schultz the following occurred:

·         The 3^rd Annual Vendor’s Fair was a huge success.

·         Postage for newsletter mailing increased to 32 cents.

1995-96

During Mary Lou Skogland’s Presidency: