QLA 25th Anniversary

[bcirray]

Quality Life Association Celebrates 25 Years of Helping Continent Ostomy Patients

St. Petersburg, Florida. In 1985, Dr. William O. Barnett established the Quality Life Association (QLA) to meet the special needs of persons with continent ostomy procedures. The QLA focuses specifically on patients who have received Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir (BCIR), Kock, and Ileoanal J-Pouch procedures. Today, the nonprofit association continues to serve continent ostomy patients and educate the broader medical community on the latest advances in alternative ostomy options. These services are provided through the Horizons newsletter, the website (QLA-ostomy.org), and through annual conventions.

The 25th anniversary was held at the Tradewinds Resort on St. Pete Beach in Florida. During the meeting a new slate of officers were elected, including:

President: Jim Suss, jasuss@suss.net, Centennial, Colorado
Vice President: Ray Suskie, suskieray@aol.com, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Treasurer: Jim Loewen, jimloewen@comcast.net, Jackson, Michigan
Secretary: Will Brown, will@ampatch.com, Conway, New Hampshire
Director: Donita Wright, orchid.one@verizon.net, St. Pete, Florida
Director: Renay Jarrell, renay@asapwv.com, Scott Depot, West Virginia
Director: Paul Wannenmacher, Paul@wannenmacher.com, Springfield, Missouri

The event raised money to help extend the service of the organization through the Anne Harman Memorial Fund. Past director, Ray Harman, put up a $12,500 challenge grant. The attendees matched the challenge raising over $29,000.00 in total. Ray Harman was also awarded the Harbinger Award for his service to QLA.

During the 25th anniversary meeting, Dr. William Barnett and Dr. James Pollack were honored by being the first inducted into the QLA Hall of Fame. “The BCIR has a long history, and we are very proud to keep Dr. Barnett's and Dr. Pollack's legacy alive,” according to Jim Suss. The Industry Inductees into the Hall of Fame include Palms Hospital of St. Petersburg, Florida and Austin Medical Products of Conway, New Hampshire.

For further information contact Paul Wannenmacher at 417.869.4848, or Paul@wannenmacher.com.