Newsletter

Photos from the February AFE workshop.

This time last year, as a practicing CST, I was heading up an orthopedics excellence program at the hospital where I was working. I never would have imagined that a year later I would find myself as the program director of surgical technology at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas.

Serving as a site visitor for ARC/STSA has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career as a surgical technologist. I started my career as a surgical technologist in 1994 and would have never imagined that I would be where I am today or where my career would take me.

Big things are coming to the surgical technology and surgical assisting education communities! The ARC/STSA Board of Directors met on Saturday, February 18, 2017, to lay the groundwork for the ARC/STSA 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. In conjunction with the AST Educators Conference, the Saturday meeting began with a renewed commitment to the mission and vision of the ARC/STSA.

As program directors, our line of work educating and having the power to make a difference is pretty awesome, but very imperfect! Giving back to the healthcare community and training the new generation of surgical technologists and assistants is very rewarding even when it has its challenges — but challenges are nothing new to us, right? We all strive to make the year ahead of us as positive as possible.

Tamara Simmons joined ARC/STSA as the director of accreditation services on December 1 of last year. She brings an extensive background of service in higher education, having served as the director of student services, director of student affairs and graduate employment, and academic dean at various colleges. We sat down with Ms. Simmons to discuss her new role, and what she’s most looking forward to in 2017.

Welcome to the January/February 2017 issue of the ARC/STSA E-newsletter! The Board of Directors and staff team are excited for the year that is ahead of us!

As a surgical technology program director, I believe it is imperative that faculty are supported to attend conferences. It is extremely important for one to increase their understanding and knowledge in their respective field. Conferences give faculty the opportunity to stay abreast of the latest evidence-based practices, guidelines, protocols, procedures and technological advances. They also provide faculty the opportunity to network and build working relationships across the country.

Deans and administrators are often responsible for providing the funds and approving time away for program directors to receive professional development in their specialty fields. With decreasing state funding and shrinking budgets, this is not always an easy task. However, it is a vital task that should not be forgotten. Not only is it imperative and required for directors to actively participate in professional development; it is ultimately the backbone for disseminating current knowledge to our students. The monetary support of professional development activities results in the increased intellectual growth of the director and the programs in which they serve. This growth can result in better communication, expansion of knowledge, increased networking and, most importantly, the rejuvenation of motivation.