United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), Inc

We’re excited to announce a significant milestone for HR 2630, the Safe Step Act! Thanks to the tireless efforts of advocates, patients, and healthcare professionals, the Safe Step Act has now garnered the support of more than 218 House cosponsors!   This crucial piece of legislation aims to protect patients by ensuring timely access to the medications they need without unnecessary delays. Together, we are making strides towards a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.   A huge thank you to our champions Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA), Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and all 218+ co-sponsors for your commitment to patient access to care. Your dedication and hard work are making a real difference.   Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries, we look forward to working with you, Chairwoman Foxx, and the House Committee on Education and Workforce to ensure the successful passage of this bill. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to advocate for a safer, healthier future for all. #SafeStepAct #PassTheSSA

Even with Summer heating up, UOAA continues its work to support the Ostomy Community. Make a difference in ostomy education and double the impact of your donation by giving today. https://lnkd.in/d6qRpYm Your gifts will help create a new education program "Ostomy Skills for Healthcare Professionals" to help address the problem of too many healthcare professionals, such as home health and bedside nurses, lacking the basic knowledge and training in caring for those living with an ostomy or continent diversion. We are thrilled that a generous donor has once again agreed to match every dollar raised by October 31, 2024. Up to $50,000! To date we have raised $21,700.00 in this matching program so please help our community reach this goal. If you have made a donation, Thank You!

Help UOAA make October 5, 2024 Ostomy Awareness Day in all 50 states! Spread the word that #ostomiesarelifesavers Learn more and use our toolkit to get a proclamation from your Governor here: https://lnkd.in/eHJftjCv #OstomyDay2024

Embracing Life After Surgery- By Daniel Garza "Much like others like me, your caregiver becomes your world. You are dependent on them for food, medical needs, and conversation. Chrisitan, my boyfriend, was all that and more. He was also my punching bag and took all my frustration and honestly, I don’t know where he put that energy." https://lnkd.in/eZXTd8Ww "It made our relationship stronger; it tested the relationship and us. He also helped me get back into the real world easier although it takes the caregiver longer to step out of his role. I don’t know if they ever leave completely."

So much to share in this month's E-News before we kick-off summer! Travel Card, Ostomy on the Screen, Swimming, A Special Place, Get Your State on the Map, Double Your Support, Acceptance, Events and more! https://conta.cc/3VveLwK

UOAA President Cheryl Ory, left, and Executive Director Christine Ryan, right, were proud to award UOAA's WOC Nurse of the Year Award for 2023 to Patti Anderson, center, at the recent WOCNext Conference in Cleveland. Patti Anderson, BSN, RN, CWON, is a practicing WOC nurse at a university-based teaching hospital, Banner – University Medical Center, in Tucson, Arizona. Patti was nominated by Kristin Terpening, Immediate past President of the Tucson Ostomy Support Group. Patti was chosen by UOAA for her ‘passion’ and dedication to the ostomy community and members of the Tucson Area Ostomy Support Group. Patti listens to the needs of the ostomate community in order to fit speakers for their voiced concerns. She is dedicated, compassionate, skillful and continues to mentor her patients along with their families helping them with the acceptance and caring for their stoma. Medical peers and patients frequently say that Patti is ready to step in to help when unexpected issues arise. She is a team player and a role model for other nursing staff, providers and the community with her calming demeanor making her approachable and friendly and does not get flustered with any complex scenarios that are often seen in healthcare. UOAA wishes to thank Patti and all the nominees, below, for all that they do to support the ostomy community through our Affiliated Support Groups around the country. Grant Kohler, RN, BSN, CWOCN, CFCN, PHN Nominated by Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Support Group, leader Shauna Sparks. Mary Kinsey, BSN, RN, CWON nominated by Ostomy Association of Houston Area ASG, leader Denise Parsons Joyce Moss RN, MS, MNM, COCN, CWCN nominated by Carmicheal (CA) Ostomy Association ASG, leader Linda Fleig AND Placerville OSG, leader Barbara Hoffman .

And be sure to stop by booth 839 and say hi to UOAA President Cheryl Ory and Executive Director Christine Ryan! See all of the great materials we have for your #ostomy patients! #WOCNext2024

"Like my experience in the Ostomy community, identifying as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community has provided a safe place to be authentic and explore who I am and want to be as a person and partner. The intersection at which these identities meet has given opportunity to some of the most profound and pivotal moments in my life. It would then also not be surprising that I attended Pride celebrations before and after “coming out” with my best friend, Caleb, whom I met while we were both first-year Counselors in Training at Youth Rally. He is the same friend that I invited to join me at the UOAA Conference as it made its way to my current city, his hometown, this past year. In our truest fashion, I am happy to say we show up loud, proud, and ready to make our place in the world; no matter the occasion." https://lnkd.in/eWr2J98E

Short Film Inspired by Ostomate Set to Premiere at a Los Angeles Film Festival. The film captures a pivotal moment in time. Rai, a musician who just had ostomy surgery, is isolating at home struggling to come to terms with his new reality. "I hope by telling a story like this we can bring comfort to those who may be suffering as I did. I thought having ostomy surgery would ruin my life, but instead it gave me my life back. Please join us on this special day as we celebrate a film that features a character living with an ostomy." -Raimo Strangis Read more: https://lnkd.in/esGRvMrb

WOCNext 2024 is coming up soon in Cleveland, OH and we'll be announcing UOAA's WOC Nurse of Year Award as nominated by our Affiliated Support Groups there! Stop by UOAA's booth and say hello 🤗 and see all that UOAA does to support the Ostomy community via education, advocacy and support!