13th Annual QLA Conference Highlights 
TradeWinds Resort, St. Petersburg
Beach FL. August 28 & 29, 1998  




     Fun... 


                   Friendships ... 


                                        Entertainment  ...


                                                              Inspiring Speakers... 
  ... QLA's Annual Conference
and the 13th annual conference proved to be all this and more with 132 attendees representing 25 states.


The conference began Friday evening with a welcome address from John Bartlett, CEO of Palms of Pasadena Hospital, followed by a BCIR Patients Panel which provided a time of question-answer and discussion from the audience. Lots of experiences and ideas were shared between BCIRers.





Friday night's speaker, Leslie Gibson (left), RN, encouraged the group to "lighten-up" by using humor to relieve stressful situations. Audience members (right) were encourage to participate.



The conference continued Saturday morning with a presentation from Dr. Ronnie Pollack, radiologist, using slides of both normal and abnormal functions of the BCIR pouch.



New board member, Patrick Garrett, (left) was elected during the QLA business meeting. QLA president, Sherry Watford, (right) presided over the business meeting.




Jo Ann Waldrop, RN, CETN, from Emory University School of Wound, Ostomy Continence Nursing Educational Program provided an excellent update of continent diversions including, Kock, J-Pouch, Barnett, and continent urostomy procedures.


QLA is very grateful for the support given by the physician who perform the BCIR procedure. They are very gracious to support QLA's conference financially and by attending the conference. One of the most popular session of the conferences is the Physicians' Panel. Members for this years panel were Dr. Ron Gaskin, moderator, Dr. Frank Veninga, Dr. Donald Behrens, Dr. Don Schiller, Dr. Frank Shirley, and Dr. James Pollack.



Saturday's luncheon and annual auction provided a relaxed atmosphere for fellowship and fun. The donations from the auction totaled $2,539. Thanks to Jerry Hall, auctioneer, and his wife Linda for the work that they do to make the auction a success each year.





The 13th annual conference concluded with the annual dinner and dance Saturday evening. Participants enjoyed a wonderful buffet dinner and entertainment provided by the sounds of "Mac and the Damiens."