SICP Chapter News
As usual, the cath lab professionals in the Gulf Coast Region continue to make my dream come true. In 2003, we organized the Gulf Coast Chapter with a vision of providing a venue for cath lab staff to network and receive educational credits. Staff around the area supported the chapter by joining the SICP, attending meetings, and getting involved. Our meetings average 60 attendees. Industry representatives supported us by helping fund meetings and providing speakers. Without their support, we would not be successful. We now have our meetings scheduled a year in advance.

The Gulf Coast Chapter held its 2nd annual bowling tournament on November 4, 2006. Thirty-one teams (5 members each) from surrounding cath labs competed for the first prize, an AED provided by Medtronic, to donate to a recipient of their choice and $500 cash.

By donating the AED, Medtronic makes it possible for cath lab professionals to give to the community. Clear Lake Regional Medical Center was there to defend their 2005 championship; however, they came in 2nd place. Please visit www.gcsicp.com for future meetings.

Our industry contributors, again, make it possible for the chapter to host this fun event. I personally thank you for your generous support of the invasive cardiovascular professionals who work in cath labs. We also appreciate your willingness to bowl with teams that did not have enough team members, making it possible for all labs to participate!

We are grateful to:
Abbott
Bard
Boston Scientific
Cardiac Assist
Cordis
Datascope
Foxhollow
LifeCor
Medtronic
Merit Medical
Possis
Radi
Wavemark

There were many winners in the tournament:

First Place: AED and $500 cash!
The Heart On’s
Tomball Regional Hospital
Second Place: $250 cash!
Stentastic Five
Clear Lake Regional Medical Center
Third Place: $125 cash!
Cath Lab Gone Wild
Spring Branch Medical Center

Three mystery judges voted on the following awards.
Best Team Name: The Tachy Girlz, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
Best Shirt: Playbowl Bunnies, Tomball Regional Hospital
Best Team Spirit: The Shockers, Clear Lake Regional Hospital
Highest Score: Electro Cutes, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
Lowest Score: Heart Savers are LifeSavers #1, Sugarland Methodist Hospital

Each team went home with a picture plaque to display in their lab. Every bowler was given a Gulf Coast Chapter lighted key ring.

Mustafa Mandviwala, MD, FACC, gave a presentation on CT angiography, for which each attendee received CEU credit. Thank you to Dr. Mandi for spending time with us and helping us fulfill our mission of providing education at every meeting/event.

To those of you who do not have a chapter in your area, I encourage you to consider it. The SICP has developed a Chapter Manual to help with all the steps of starting up. We host regular conference calls for chapter leaders that will provide a forum for networking and sharing ideas. Even if you are only in the thinking about it stage, you are welcome to join in. Please contact Nicole Shore at director@sicp.com for the call information.

Lynne Jones, RN, RCIS, FSICP
President, SICP
ljcathnurs@houston.rr.com

The Illinois chapter met October 19th at Shaw’s Crabhouse. The meeting was well-attended, with over 80 people attending the educational session and social activities. The Illinois Chapter continues to be one of the SICP’s most active chapters. Over 40 new members joined at the October meeting.

Please contact Milka Gemaljevic, Milka.Gemaljevic@shermanhospital.org, for more information regarding the Illinois Chapter.

At the Indiana chapter‘s October 2006 meeting, not only did attendees have great fun with games, there were also some great speakers. Dr. Dorian Beasley spoke on contrast-induced nephropathy, Anthony Roberts, MSNc, CCRN, spoke on the Acist technique, and Jerry Horn from Abbott spoke on emerging interventional technology.

The Indiana chapter’s next meeting will be January 13, 2007.

Please contact Martine Kinman, RN, RCIS, MKinman@clarian.org, for more information regarding the Indiana Chapter.