Here we are again approaching another holiday season and it seems like yesterday since the last.  How time flies.  I have just returned from Arizona after our 5th annual AAMEP/AMEN conference.  The conference was a huge success according to all who attended; both vendors and medical professionals.  We had a great program. Attendees received some great practice pearls, and learned a lot about the legal and legislative process and the issues confronting our practices on a daily basis somewhere across this country.  Coming soon are highlights and pictures of the conference so check the website (www.aamep.org) from time to time.

I want to use this opportunity to introduce our newly appointed Executive Director, Sue Heck, NP-C, MEP-C.  We are thrilled and excited to have Sue on board.  Sue comes to AAMEP with great credentials and knowledge (click here Bio).  After accepting the position she immediately went in action mode to deal with issues at hand, manly our recent conference.  Sue and her Arizona team of medical professionals (all AAMEP members) worked very hard to bring us an excellent conference this year.  They are also to be commended on the unity and commitment they exhibited during their fight to retain their right to practice medical aesthetics in the state of Arizona.  This is the model we should all emulate as nurses and medical esthetic professionals, a fearless unified model!  We must be committed to protect our rights and scope of practice at the legislative level, and be willing to stand on the front lines and put our money where our mouth is.  Our opponents across this country have been feeding money to state Senators and Representatives to get their agendas pushed through the legislature.  Like it or not, this is the way it is and we must do the same.  That means commitment in time and money if you want to keep your practices and scope intact. 

This organization has survived for 5 years due to the hard work of a few people, our Board of Directors, our members who consistently renew their memberships, and our vendors.  This past year we have seen a few of our members step up and take the AAMEP chair position for their state to help protect their scope at task force and legislative meetings. We want to recognize those people: Sue Fallon and Stephanie Latsis, Mass; Cheney Davis and Vickie Hickson, GA; Brenda Cummings, CO; Hermine Warren and Carrie Edler, CA; Gerald and Debbie Spina, WI.  AAMEP/AMEN is getting known across the country because of our efforts on this front.  We hope that you will see the importance of our journey as a specialty group.  We are building strength daily, little by little.  Our goal is to start setting up state chapters so please continue to support AAMEP by renewing your membership and becoming involved in your state. 

We need your help and to steal a tag we have heard so often lately, “YES WE CAN!” Remember we have “Power in Numbers”!

Have a great Thanksgiving and Holiday Season,

Sasha Parker, RN, LMT, FS
President