The GAPNA Great Lakes Chapter has been meeting informally in Southeastern Michigan since 1982, when it was the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing Group, then formally since it became an official Chapter of GAPNA in 1998. Membership is open to APN’s and APN candidates interested providing care to older adults and who want to be part of this Chapter. Membership in the Chapter is made through G
APNA. Applications can be found on www.GAPNA.org. The Great Lakes Chapter is an award winning Chapter, having won the Chapter Excellence award four times since its inception in 2008. The Great Lakes Chapter serves as a role model and resource to other GAPNA chapters. More information about the history of the Great Lakes Chapter and the journey of gerontological APN’s in the State of Michigan can be found in their monograph: Evolution of the Great Lakes Chapter of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 1982-2012, published in August 2015 on Amazon.com. The Great Lakes Chapter hosts an annual continuing education conference in the Fall at the Dearborn Inn. Here, awards are given for Leadership, Clinical Excellence, an APN and student APN poster award, and two student APN scholarship awards. Goals of GAPNA include:
· Advocate quality care for older adults.
· Promote professional development.
· Provide continuing gerontological education.
· Enhance communication and professional collaboration among healthcare providers.
· Educate consumers regarding issues of aging.
· For further information, please go to our website: GLCGAPNA.org.
