2010 RECIPIENT

Annette Gwilliam, RN, CWS, ACHRN

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Abstract Submission Title: "Post-Radiation Lymphedema Functional Improvement Not Mirrored in SOMA-LENT"  Click Here for Full Abstract


     Annette Gwilliam was interested in hyperbaric nursing as a SCUBA diver and wound care nurse. Taking a significant pay cut after learning that Utah Valley Regional Medical Center would be getting a multiplace chamber, she became involved in preparing for a hyperbaric program. CHRN certified in 2008 and now ACHRN, her respect for hyperbaric nursing grows. Together with Utah Valley staff, they educate  student nurses and respiratory therapists from three local colleges/universities weekly. In addition, she is a part of the continuing education development for the department, assisting Drs. Worth and Robins preparing CME for medical staff lectures four times each year.  Their program is an integral part of clinical patient care.
     Annette oversees the telemedicine link for continuing education between her hospital and other hyperbaric medicine departments throughout the IHC system. She is an active member of UHMS, BNA, and SAWC, furthering her education in hyperbaric nursing whenever possible. She attended the 2008 UHMS ASM in Salt Lake City due to the proximity of the location and attended the 2009 UHMS at her own expense since all travel reimbursement in her region was stopped in January 2009.
     She has been a lead nurse in the hospital research committee and lead the recent project accepted for presentation at the 2010 ASM. They conclude that SOMA-LENT scores for post-radiation breast lymphedema do not adequately measure clinical improvement after hyperbaric therapy. Annette has   never made a national presentation and this scholarship has given her that opportunity.  To Annette Gwilliam, Hyperbaric Nursing is a career, not just a job.


 ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION SCHOLARSHIP

 

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Purpose:  The $2,000.00 scholarship is intended to assist the recipient to be able to attend and present an abstract at the UHMS Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM).

Requirements: 

  1. The applicant must be a current member in good standing of the UHMS Associates.
  2. The applicant must submit a complete application with resume and color photograph(3x5 face shot)
  3. The applicant must submit an abstract, be accepted by the scientific committee and present the abstract (poster and/or oral) at the ASM for that year.
  4. The complete application packet must be received no later than midnight PST of the established deadline date 60 days prior to the ASM of that calendar year; no exceptions. The packet must be submitted electronically.
  5. If selected, the scholarship recipient will agree to:
    1. Submit abstract for publication on the UHMS webpage.
    2. Submit biographical sketch and photograph for posting on the UHMS webpage.
  6. The applicant agrees to pay the difference for all fees associated with attending the ASM that exceed the $2,000.00 scholarship. This may include transportation, poster, food, lodging, and registration.

Selection Criteria:

  1. Be relatively new to the field, and who has already shown great promise (enthusiastic and self-motivated, who has obviously spent non-compensated time furthering their knowledge-base).  Preference will be given to those who have made "significant" contributions (published a pertinent article, assisted in the creation of the standards for hyperbaric staffing and patient care, acted as faculty for related training programs, etc.), or;
  2. Has been employed in the field of diving/hyperbaric medicine/technology for some time and has yet to attend the ASM (the reason being lack of financial means rather than lack of interest).  It would be considered that the early opportunity to attend the meeting might further motivate and stimulate this individual to achieve administrative and clinical advancement, or;
  3. A long-standing member who has worked tirelessly, and without expectation, to further the missions of the UHMS and to advance the field.

Selection Process:

Applications must be signed off by the applicant’s supervisor assuring approval for time-off to attend the ASM. Only complete application packets with abstracts attached will be accepted for consideration. The deadline for submitting the application packet is midnight (PST), 60 days, prior to the ASM for that calendar year.

 

 

 

The justification statement on the application form must include how the applicant fulfills the selection criteria (stated above).  Application packets must be emailed to Stacy Handley of the UHMS Awards Committee: nbscos@yahoo.com Subject line: ‘Achievement Recognition Scholarship Application’. All applications will be screened for validity under the Requirements and Selection Criteria. Partially completed applications will not be accepted for consideration. The UHMS Awards Committee will review all approved application packets and vote for the scholarship recipient.  The recipient will be notified by mail with a check for $2000.00 within 30 days of the deadline submission. Formal announcement will be made in ‘Pressure’ and on the UHMS website. The recipient will also be mentioned in the program at the UHMS Annual Meeting awards dinner.  A photograph and bio of the recipient will be posted on the UHMS webpage.

 

If the recipient fails to follow through with the obligation to submit and present (poster and/or oral) an abstract and/or attend that year’s annual scientific meeting, then the scholarship money paid to recipient is to be paid back in full to the UHMS within 14 days following the ASM.