Georgia Nurses Association's Great Nurses in Action.

Great Nurses in Action is a new section of this publication designed to highlight significant member achievements. Examples of activities can include appointments to councils, task forces, publication credits, research accomplishments, awards, etc. To submit information about your achievements, email a brief description of your news along with a digital photo to jodi@georgia nurses.org or mail it to the following address:

Jodi Weber

Director of Communication and Marketing

Georgia Nurses Association

3032 Briarcliff Road 

Atlanta, Georgia 30329

Myra Carmon, EdD, CPNP, RN

GNA Member

On March 31, 2006 at the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Conference in Washington DC, Myra Carmon, EdD, CPNP was presented with the 2006 Grassroots Advocacy Award. The award was given for her advocacy on children's issues on a state and national level.

Cindy Balkstra, MS, APRN, BC

GNA President-Elect

Balkstra was recently selected to serve on the Editorial Advisory Board for The American Nurse. Cindy will use her knowledge, expertise and perspective to guide the editorial content of this national publication.

Debbie Hackman, CAE 

GNA Chief Executive Officer

Hackman was recently awarded CAE credentialing. The CAE is the highest distinction for the association professional. After successfully completing a national examination, Hackman earned the title Certified Association Executive. Additionally, Hackman has recently been appointed to serve on the board of directors for the Georgia Society of Association Executives and the national board of directors for the Lewy Boddy Dementia Association.

Kathy Parker, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN 

GNA Member

Dr. Parker was recently profiled in the Atlanta Hospital News honoring her dedication to the profession of nursing. Parker's career consists of more than 20 years of clinical nursing, nursing research and nursing education. Currently, Parker is a professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. Additionally, she is the Director of the Center for Research on Symptoms, Symptom Interaction and Health Outcomes, a position that has given the opportunity to become a leading researcher for new treatments to improve the quality of sleep of hemodialysis patients.

Marla Salmon, ScD, RN, FAAN

GNA Member

Dr. Salmon was recently recognized by the Atlanta Hospital News for her distinguished career in nursing. Salmon is currently Dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University, a position she has held since 1999. Additionally, Salmon is the Director of the Lillian Carter Center for International Nursing. She has received countless awards and recognitions including the President's Meritorious Service Award and the U.S. Public Health Service's Chief Nurse Award for her leadership at the Federal level.