January 29, 2015

For the past two years, Al Rundio, PhD, Associate Dean for Post-Licensure Nursing Programs & CNE has been the President of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA). Rundio has served on the Board of Directors of IntNSA for the past eight years in roles such as Board Member, Secretary, President-Elect and President.

In an interview, reflecting on his Presidency, Rundio stated, “I had to be much more of a transactional leader in order to make some necessary changes to stabilize IntNSA, where I have always considered myself to be much more of a transformational leader. No good leader stands by themselves. I had a great executive committee in: Dana Murphy-Parker, President-Elect; William Lorman, PhD, Treasurer; and Dennis Hagarty, Secretary, as well as a supportive Board of Directors.”  The first item that had to be confronted was the financial situation of the organization. An expense reduction plan was immediately implemented. This past year a new management company was sought for IntNSA, which is a much more cost-effective company than the one that IntNSA had previously contracted with. On leaving IntNSA, Rundio has left the organization with the best financial picture in its history. Rundio recently stated “A firm foundation has now been created, which will serve as a spring board so that IntNSA can reach newer heights.”

Some accomplishments under his leadership include development of a new study guide for the certification examinations completed by the North Carolina Chapter of IntNSA, a revised core curriculum, soon to be published by Lippincott, expansion of international membership, the writing and receipt of a $75,000 PCSS-O grant, revision of the bylaws so that the Addictions Nursing Certification Board (ANCB) can now make final preparations to get the certification examinations accredited by ABCNS, and creation of the International Academy of Addictions Nursing.

When asked what he will be remembered for most, Rundio stated, “I wanted to leave a lasting legacy. I came up with the idea of creating an International Academy of Addictions Nursing so that nurses, who have and do contribute significantly to the field of Addictions Nursing, could be recognized as fellows of the academy.” Rundio’s idea was unanimously approved by the executive committee and the full board of directors at IntNSA. At the 38^th Annual Educational Conference, the first five fellows were inducted into the academy. They can append the letters FIAAN (Fellow International Academy of Addictions Nursing) behind their name.  Besides creating the Academy, Rundio created the award for being a FIAAN, which includes a glass flame with the IntNSA logo, the words “Fellow of the International Academy of Addictions Nursing,” and the recipient’s name with their credentials and FIAAN all embedded and engraved within the flame, and a medallion for being a Fellow in the Academy.

When asked about leaving a leadership role at IntNSA, Rundio stated: “it’s time to turn the organization over to new leadership and new ideas. I know that Dana Murphy-Parker will do an incredible job as the new leader of IntNSA.” 

When asked about his future goals, Rundio stated: “I am being considered for a board position at a major health system in New Jersey. This has been a goal of mine for the past few years. So, it is perfect timing to embark on something new.”