Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

September/October, 2001

NE/MidAtlantic Regions Present Awards And Elect New Leadership
by Debi Chowdhury, ESADE, NE Regional President

THE NORTHEAST/MID- ATLANTIC 2001 BIREGIONAL onference was held in Charleston, West Virginia during the week of May 29th to June 1st. The fledgling chapter of WVade hosted this marvelous conference at the Charlestown Marriott. Seminar topics included disability redesign and prototypes, how social security can help us, medical consultant view on prototype, ticket to work, psychology in the medical listing, what is happening in disability, what’s happening in the region. The DDS Administrator’s panel spoke on prototype and what is happening in the states. Pain management and stress reduction, impact of pervasive development disorders on families, the role of speech, research and breakthroughs in the treatment of the traumatic brain injury were some of the other topics included in the agenda. Process unification, increasing allowance rates and discussion of prototype rollout with the lack of funding issue was prevalent throughout the conference. NADE President Sue Heflin delivered the president’s message during the awards luncheon updating current issues. NCDDD President Tommy Warren from Alabama also updated everyone on where DDSs stand currently. Deputy Commissioner from New York David Avenius continued to state that NADE should take a more aggressive role in seeking support for DDS’s quest to become more professional –for training and specific hiring standards. He was instrumental in getting New York State to receive salary upgrades for most of their initial level analysts to do the prototype cases. During the awards luncheon the following awards were presented:

NorthEast Awards

Best Chapter PRADE
Membership PRADE
Professional Ada Lugo, PRADE
Administrator Donald Hull, WNYade

MidAtlantic Awards

Best Chapter WVade
Best Administrator Jane Johnston, WVade

The regional Caucuses were held on Thursday afternoon with the following elections.

NorthEast Officers

Regional Director Brenda Kaselis, McAde
President Debi Chowdhury, ESADE
Vice-President Liz Jameson, McADE
Secretary/Treasurer Jane Osgatharp, GAMADE

In addition, the following were appointed:

Awards Chairperson Paula Christofoletti, (NH)

and Membership Chair Russ Mojcher (Connecticut).

MidAtlantic elections produced the following:

MidAtlantic Officers

Regional President Georgia Myers, GLADE
Vice President Reginald Stepney, DCADE
Secretary Zena Penn, DADE
Treasurer Jenny Pecora, MADE

There was a side trip of a boat ride on the Kanawah River with a barbecue, good music and a lot of fun. The hospitality suite was filled to the brim every night with great food, and Godiva chocolate. WVADE did a fantastic job in hosting this year’s conference.

Next year 2002 conference will be a tri-regional between NorthEast/MidAtlantic/SouthEast to be held in Louisville, Kentucky hosted by the Kentucky chapter. A trip to the Derby is being planned. Conference to be held May 6th - May 10th, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency (320 W. Jefferson) which boasts of a rooftop restaurant. Watch for upcoming details.

ESADE has lost their banner, which they had brought to the biregional conference. If anyone knows the whereabouts, please contact chapter president Debi Chowdhury 518-473-9227.