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October 21, 2011 (Cleveland)

NEONI Welcomes New Nursing Leaders at Fall Social

Although the weather outside was dreary, the atmosphere inside was celebratory at NEONI’s Fall Season Social, which was held Oct. 12 at the beautiful Lakewood home of Ellen and John Brzytwa. Hors d'oeuvres were served throughout the evening as NEONI members mingled, welcomed new members and recognized four Northeast Ohio nurses for their new leadership positions.

The guests of honor included Mary E. Kerr and Beth Kaskel. Kerr is the new dean of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, a May L. Wykle Endowed Professor and will be the guest speaker at NEONI’s Fall Conference scheduled for Oct. 28. Kaskel is the new dean and division of nursing chair at Notre Dame College of Ohio.

“I’ve never experienced such a welcoming group, and so well organized,” Mary Kerr said of her experience so far with NEONI. “This has been an amazing outpouring of welcome.” Beth Kaskel reiterated Kerr’s comments and added, “Large school, small school, it really doesn’t matter because we’re all about the mission of educating the best nurses to provide the best and safest care we can provide.”

Though not able to attend, Sara Brokaw and Mavis Bechtle were also recognized at the event for their new leadership positions. Brokaw is the chief nursing officer at Mercy Regional Medical Center and Bechtle is the chief nursing officer at MetroHealth Medical Center.

Those in attendance at the social were encouraged to visit NEONI’s new Facebook page, which aims to enhance awareness of NEONI’s involvement in the regional healthcare workforce community by opening communication and encouraging conversation among its key stakeholders. Facebook cookies, posters and balloons were used to help promote the page, which several guests viewed on a laptop and “liked” from their own Facebook accounts.

To view a photo album from the event posted on NEONI’s Facebook page, click here.

The Fall Season Social was sponsored by The Center for Health Affairs & its workforce initiative, NEONI.

For additional information on NEONI activities, contact Lisa Anderson at 216.255.3660 or lisa.anderson@chanet.org.