President’s Message: Winter 2019

February, 2019

Look Where BONENT is Headed in Our 45th Year

As you read on page 1, we’re celebrating our 45th year of existence. In that article, it highlights some of our recent accomplishments. On page 3, we provide a list of our longest-certified members. Are you or any of your colleagues on that list? Thank you to our biggest asset - our members!

A Push for More International Growth

Did you realize that BONENT has members from 13 countries around the world? A major focus of BONENT in 2019 is expanding in the International arena. We have International advisors for some new areas:

  • Phillip Varughese is the International Advisor for India;
  • Syeda U. Khatoon and Kazim R. Naqvi are International Advisors for Pakistan;
  • Fredrick Doss and Jodie Morgan remain as International Advisors for New Zealand and Australia respectively.

BONENT has provided a grant to cover some of the cost for our exams taken in India, in the memory of Wesley Watkins. BONENT is working on other International locations including Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore and more. If you have dialysis contacts, or you are in another English or Spanish speaking country, please contact RJ Picciano, BONENT President at President@BONENT.org.

Continuing Again this year with 2 Big Regional Seminars:

Make Your Plans to be there!

There will be 2 BONENT Regional Education Seminars in 2019. The first one will be in Chicago on June 9, 2019. The second one will be in New Jersey on August 25th. Each will have a separate Bio-Med track. As always these BONENT Regional Seminars will be a great educational opportunities with a number of nationally known speakers. Go to the BONENT website for more details and see the full page ad on page 4 of this newsletter. These seminars are an excellent way to expand your professional network. Remember to make certain that your Bio-Med folks know about these seminars.

Tell Your BioMed Staff to Become Certified too!

Speaking of Bio-Med staff, BONENT has a new Bio-Med certification. It is time that the other professionals step up and do the right thing - the professional thing - and become certified. CMS requires that patient care technicians become certified in the first 18 months to continue to work in dialysis!

So, talk to your nurse colleagues! BONENT has the Certified Hemodialysis Nurse (CHN) for nurses that work in hemodialysis and the Certified Peritoneal Dialysis (CPDN) for those nurses that do PD training. So, like I said a moment ago, your Bio Med technicians need to become CHBT certified. They are the people that keep our dialysis machines safe for us and our patients. Have them go to our website to learn more.

We Now have a BONENT Store for You

Shortly after completing an overhaul to the BONENT website, we’ve added a BONENT Store. As a BONENT member, you can order from many items with the BONENT logo or name on it, starting at only $3. You can either order direct from the BONENT website (My Account section), or by sending in an Order Form. See the ad on page 3 of this newsletter. Be proud of your BONENT certification!

Have a great Spring. It is coming! I promise.

Click here to read previous Letters from the President.