October 15, 2008 (Charleston, South Carolina) – At the recent Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA), Shannon D. Atnip, MSN, WHNP-BC, was named by the National Association For Continence (NAFC) as its latest Continence Care Champion (CCC).  Established in 2000 to recognize healthcare providers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in continence care through their contributions in research, the enrichment of clinical practice, and education, NAFC’s presentation marks the seventh member of SUNA to earn this distinction during the decade.  The recognition, sponsored by Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, aims to inspire by example others in the profession to greater achievements.  NAFC staff member Meghan Hansen announced the award at SUNA’s Annual Awards Luncheon during the Meeting.  The gathering was held this year in Philadelphia.

Tamara Dickinson, RN, CURN, CCCN, BCIA-PMDB, Senior Research Nurse in Continence and Voiding Dysfunction in the Department of Urology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, presiding over the awards luncheon as President of SUNA, described the recipient by saying, “Shanna is so truly dedicated to her patients and increasing their quality of life.”  She added, “I am also so glad that SUNA and NAFC have such a collaborative spirit and hope we continue to work together for years to come.”

Ms. Atnip has worked for the last nine years as the Urogynecology Continence Nurse Educator in Female Pelvic Medicine at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas.  In this capacity, she routinely evaluates and manages women with urinary and fecal incontinence, diagnoses and addresses pelvic organ prolapse, and attends to pelvic floor dysfunction and related gynecological disorders.  She performs various diagnostic tests and non-surgical treatment such as biofeedback and electrical stimulation.   Additionally, Ms. Atnip educates patients in the non-surgical treatment of incontinence and prolapse, as well as provides post-operative education and follow-up essential to achieving desired patient outcomes after surgery.

She has made her mark as well in research, participating, for example, in the multi-site, landmark study published in 2007 in the New England Journal of Medicine comparing outcomes and adverse events of the Burch surgical procedure to the autologous fascia sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence in women.  Over the past 25 years, she has sought to share her knowledge with peers through several dozen professional presentations at conferences.  She is best known for her expertise in perinatal nursing, pessary use, and genitourinary pharmacology.

Recognized by the United States Air Force for her leadership skills in the military, Ms. Atnip ascended to the rank of Colonel before entering the Reserves in 1984.

“She began her unfailing devotion to women’s care starting out as a staff nurse in Labor and Delivery, and she hasn’t stop caring since, “  remarked NAFC Executive Director, Nancy Muller, from NAFC’s national headquarters in Charleston.  “We are delighted and proud to add her to our Web site’s Hall of Fame.”

Although this award focuses on a notable member of SUNA, other distinguished medical societies have been recognized by NAFC’s CCC awards program as well.  These organizations include:  American Academy of Family Physicians, American Geriatrics Society, American Physical Therapy Association, American Urogynecologic Society, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology, Society of Women in Urology, and the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society.

About the National Association For Continence (NAFC)

The National Association For Continence is a 501 c) 3 corporation whose mission is threefold: 1) to educate the public about the causes, diagnosis categories, treatment options, and management alternatives for bladder and bowel control problems, nocturnal enuresis, voiding dysfunction, and related pelvic floor disorders; 2) to network with other organizations and agencies to elevate visibility and priority given to these health concerns; and 3) to advocate on behalf of consumers who suffer from symptoms as a result of disease or other illness, obstetrical, surgical or other trauma, or deterioration due to the aging process itself.  NAFC is broadly funded by consumers, healthcare professionals, and industry.  It is the world’s largest and most prolific consumer advocacy organization devoted exclusively to this field.  For more information, visit www.nafc.org. 

About the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA)

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates is a professional organizational committed to excellence in clinical practice and research through the education of its members, patients, family, and community.  Its vision is to be the nursing authority in the management of persons with urological healthcare concerns.  For more information, visit www.suna.org.  

About Parkland Health & Hospital System

Parkland Health & Hospital System first opened its doors in 1894 and is now one of the largest public hospital systems in the country, licensed for 968 beds and employing 8,000 people. The hospital averages about 43,000 admissions annually. Services include a Level I Trauma Center, the second largest civilian burn center in the U.S. and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The system also includes 11 community-based clinics, 11 school-based clinics and numerous outreach and education programs. For the last 15 years, Parkland has been ranked as one of the country’s top hospital by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit www.parklandhospital.com.