American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants: Past Presidents' Reflections

Past presidents of AALNC have a unique viewpoint of the organization, having knowledge of the organization's past but needing a vision for, and leading the board of directors into its future. Some of our past presidents have provided their reflections and thoughts on AALNC's 20th Anniversary.

"It has been a pleasure to be part of a professional organization that is instrumental in fostering the specialty practice of legal nurse consulting. Through membership I meet and am able to network with knowledgeable LNCs who are sharing of information and have definitely contributed to my professional growth. As a past board member I was honored to provide service to this organization and am grateful for the experience and vision provided by the current leadership. Wishing AALNC a happy 20th anniversary and looking forward to many exciting events for the future!"

"Congratulations AALNC on 20 years as a premier nursing specialty organization! It was an honor to serve in various organizational capacities through some of these years, including National President. The colleagues I have met through AALNC are some of the most remarkable professional staff and nursing leaders around. Their expertise and skill has been an inspiration for all of us carrying out the role of Legal Nurse Consultant. I wish continued growth and success for AALNC as it meets the needs and challenges of the future of our profession."

"I would like to share how honored I was to be a member of the Board for seven years including my Presidency in 1999. I worked with a wonderful group of people who helped me as President face our challenges head on, to plan strategically and to implement our plans as those who served before I did and now after me has continued to do. As we celebrate our 20th year, we can be proud that we have "grown up" to be the recognized professional organization for LNCs. As an added bonus to volunteering on the Board I had the pleasure of developing new friendships with my colleagues. They have continued to be there for me whenever I need them. I encourage our members to volunteer, to get involved and know that you will receive so much more back, both professionally and personally than you give."

"Twenty years and a milestone looking back. I was one of the legal nurses who gathered in San Diego and Phoenix in the first days of our forming, where we talked about the vision of this new path in nursing. We came mostly from Phoenix, San Diego, and Atlanta. We were lead by Carolyn Ehrlich, a former AACN president -- lead by her talent, her knowledge, her insight into "the way things are." She was such a visionary for all of us. We gathered in the conference room of a large lawfirm in San Diego, where we could sometimes see the ocean. Knowing that we were part of something bigger, that would impact our professional for years to come -- it was an awesome feeling.

And, most of us were young in the professional scope of things. Just coming to our own. Full of vision, and hope, and passion.

We pondered over small details, like the color of our first stationary -- cream with turquoise. We lingered over numerous prototypes for our logo. We talked about whether there should be minimum formal education requirements for membership. And whether members needed to have a certain amount of experience. In the larger scope, we discussed what it is that we really were doing, how to safeguard our professional status in the legal arena, and what was the national implication for all of us. No one argued -- the desire to succeed was too great.

I became the third national president. Leadership is such a unique thing, and you must be very open to receive what it can offer, and also very willing to be vulnerable -- to be able to take risks, to offer condolence, and to accept humility. There are few things in life that are maturing events -- for me, being national president was just that -- a journey in maturing, of learning I really could lead, that I could bring consensus amongst diversity.

My life's journey has moved onward since then. I married when I was the president, and then there came our baby. And philanthropy and education came into the forefront since. But, I had learned the lesson of leadership, and have been blessed to walk that pathway in life -- leading, building consensus, teaching others younger and less seasoned how to get their feet on the way, like others before me did for me.

I laud those who have taken the reigns now for twenty years of AALNC. Certainly AALNC is a story of success. I am so proud to say I was part of it at the beginning.

I wish everyone well -- in the experience of success personally, financially and professionally.

"As President of AALNC for 2007-2008, I continue to be extremely proud watching this premier association for legal nurse consultants grow and continue to expand services to our members. Participating in The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultant’s 20th Anniversary celebration in Arizona in April, 2009 was truly a rewarding experience for all who attended the events. Seeing the founding members and our past presidents revel in their own accomplishments at the 20th Anniversary Party was a testament to the continued courage, conviction and loyalty for AALNC to reach this level of success."

"I would like to thank the founding members for their foresight in creating AALNC. Congratulations to AALNC on its 20th Anniversary and my special thanks to those who have contributed to my professional growth and success individually and with AALNC: My first mentors Mona Yudkoff and Sandra Fandray who not only provided me with work and support respectively, but promoted AALNC from my inception into legal nurse consulting. Joan Magnusson was an inspiration as she was President during my first conference and took the time to meet with me. Pat Iyer has been a role model always ahead of the curve with publications and education programs. Barbara Levin has been a role model and mentor encouraging me to run for the Board, demonstrating her commitment, energy and vision to AALNC. Kara DiCecco has added greatly to our Journal and is a terrific mentor for her writing skills and expertise. Ginger Varca who served as my mentor as President while I was President Elect provided me direction and support and friendship to help ensure my success during my Presidency. Lastly, I would like to thank Julianne Lawless and our team at SmithBucklin for helping us achieve this milestone."

"It has been 20 great years that this association has been growing and gaining professional status within the nursing and legal communities! Congratulations Mindy Cohen for a very successful year as president. You have developed a research committee and impacted the legal communities by making our association more visible. Our leadership continues with Suzanne Langroth and Karen Huff whom will also make a positive impact! Congratulations to our AALNC Board of Directors for another successful year! Thank-you SmithBucklin for partnering with us as we continue paving new roads for our nursing specialty!! I'm so glad to be able to help AALNC celebrate this anniversary."