Local News

January 17, 2008

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Congratulations Lisa Robbins

The Arthritis Foundation is pleased to announce Lisa Robbins, RN, as the 2005 recipient of the "Patty Rettig Award for Health Professional Leadership". The National Arthritis Foundation and its' council, the American Juvenile Arthritis Organization (AJAO), present this annual award to nurses and other non-physician health professionals who have fostered a reputation for excellence in their field and been an advocate for children with rheumatic diseases. The award will be presented to Robbins at the 2004 AJAO National Conference held at the Town and Country Resort and Conference Center in San Diego, California July 22-25, 2004.

Robbins, a Pediatric Rheumatology attending nurse with the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, collaborates with the Central Pennsylvania Chapter to conduct AJAO Family Days, Swim Parties, Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week and educational and support programs for youth who have arthritis or a related condition and families. She has spoken at several of the ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meetings concerning issues that promote family centered and improved patient care, such as the family centered nurse-managed Clinic Based Infusion Room that she helped start at the medical center. Robbins has also been actively involved in many national AJAO Conferences and plays an integral role in Central Pennsylvania's Camp JRA (a residential camp in Millville, PA for children with arthritis) serving as a Camp Nurse and Senior Staff member for eight years.

"Lisa Robbins has been an extraordinary asset to our patients and their families," according to Dr. Barbara Ostrov, Pediatric Rheumatologist at the medical center. "She exemplifies the ideal nurse � caring, nurturing and knowledgeable in all aspects of her practice. We are all so proud of Lisa and her accomplishments."

In Pennsylvania, one out of two adults are diagnosed with arthritis or a related condition. At present, there are also about 5,000 children under the age of 18 who have received the same diagnosis.