Local chapter update: Every bit of support counts

It can be hard to stay connected right now, not only with your friends and family, but with colleagues and the CDI community as well. Don’t forget, though, that we at ACDIS national are here to guide and support you.

One of the easiest ways to stay connected is by visiting the local chapter page on the ACDIS site. Once there, click on your state and read through any announcements and upcoming events. If you notice that something is missing, have any updates regarding events (new, canceled, postponed), or changes to the leadership team please email ACDIS Associate Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas and ACDIS Associate Editor Carolyn Riel. That way we can implement those changes and make sure the rest of your local chapter members have the most up-to-date information.

But staying connected doesn’t have to stop there. ACDIS local chapters are finding innovative ways to support their communities as well. The North Carolina ACDIS chapter is offering free one-year memberships to anyone interested in joining the chapter. And if someone has already paid? They have the option to email the chapter leaders and receive a refund or donate the fees to the local chapter.

COVID-19 has changed daily life for everyone, whether that means working remotely, less hours, having kids home from school, and more. If you’re a local chapter leader, look for ways your local chapter can help its members, too, whether it’s reduced membership fees, virtual education sessions, or giving back in other ways. If you’re a local chapter member, don’t forget to reach out and ask for the support of your chapter. Your community is here for you.

The following is a list of upcoming events for ACDIS local chapters. If you have an upcoming event you would like to include, please email Melissa Varnavas (mvarnavas@acdis.org) and Carolyn Riel (criel@acdis.org).  

May:

• The New Orleans ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, May 7, 4 p.m., via webinar. For information, contact Judi Dowling (judith.dowling@ochsner.org).
• The Florida ACDIS chapter event slated for Saturday, May 16, has been canceled. For information, contact Edna Betances-Harold (betane@shands.ufl.edu).
• The Ohio ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, May 21, 12-1 p.m., via webinar for the Quarterly Conference call. Click here to register. For additional information, contact Brittani Winkler (brittani.winkler@trusthcs.com)
• The Tennessee ACDIS chapter meets Friday, May 29, 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m., via webinar. For additional information, contact Vicki Brown (Vicki.Brown@BMHCC.org).

July:

• The St. Louis Missouri ACDIS chapter event slated for Wednesday, April 29, has been postponed until July. For information, contact Pam Bulfer (pamela.bulfer@ssmhealth.com).
• The Ohio ACDIS chapter meets Friday, July 10, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Atrium Medical Center Friday. For additional information, contact Brittani Winkler (brittani.winkler@trusthcs.com).
• The Central Pennsylvania ACDIS chapter meets Friday, July 24, via a Zoom meeting hosted by Penn State Health.  Contact Deanne Wilk dwilk@pennstatehealth.psu.edu for more information.

August:

• The Arizona ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, August 22, for a half-day event. More details to follow.

September:

• The CDI educator networking group meets Friday, September 18, for an event titled "New CDI Orientation Process at Banner Health". For more information, contact Coral Fernandez (Coral.Fernandez@BHSI.com).