Educators worked out their accreditation stress at the AFE workshop.

In early February, 100 program directors, faculty and administrative professionals gathered in San Antonio for ARC/STSA’s Accreditation Fundamentals for Educators (AFE) Workshop. With a record-high attendance, there was ample opportunity for attendees to learn from each other, exchange ideas and network.

Returning for a second time during the AFE Workshop was the popular mock Board of Directors meeting. During this exercise, board members reviewed three citations from a fictitious on-site visit and the program’s response to the subsequent Findings Letter. With attendees watching, the group deliberated on what citations would or would not be cleared based upon the evidence supplied.

AFE Workshop attendees collaborated in small group discussions during an interactive mock Board of Directors meeting.

Attendees also broke out into small groups to discuss the scenario, as if they were on the Board of Directors. The exercise was an opportunity to help participants understand how their files are reviewed at a board meeting. It underscored the importance of providing a comprehensive, well-organized response.

Brenda Poynter, MHA, BSW, CSFA, CST, leads a discussion at the AFE Workshop. Poynter is a member of the ARC/STSA Board of Directors and the program director for the Surgical Technology/Surgical Assisting program at the University of Cincinnati – Clermont College.

The event also included a volunteer recognition lunch and site visitor training. ARC/STSA is immensely grateful to its volunteers and site visitors, for the time, talent and expertise they bring to each role. (Check out our site visitors appreciation banner below for a list of this year’s honorees.)

ARC/STSA’s next AFE Workshop will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, in Atlanta. We encourage program directors, faculty and administrative leaders to join us. AFE registration will be posted on www.arcstsa.org in early March.