Candidate Questions and Responses

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing surgical technologists today, and how can AST help?
I feel that the most pressing issue facing Certified Surgical Technologists today is the feeling of being left on an island. Because we currently have so little legislation requiring certification, there are many CSTs across the country that work along other noncertified technologists and receive no financial compensation, let alone, encouragement for being certified. As AST, we need to continue the “grassroots” efforts and make it known to the public that it is of the utmost importance to have a Certified Surgical Technologist by their side in surgery.

How do you motivate surgical technologists to become involved in AST?
I motivate surgical technologists to become involved in AST by telling the many success stories of how the Association has helped many CSTs, including myself. As chair of the Foundation Committee, I let them know the opportunities that we provide for continuing education of current practitioners, as well as the opportunity for scholarships to new students. Finally, I  promote it as an opportunity to belong to an organization of fellow technologists, giving the opportunity to network and share ideas across the country

How will your past experiences help you to function as a member of the
Board of Directors?
There is a great quote. “We are what we repeatedly do…Therefore excellence is not an act but a habit!” Having driven to be the best as a CST and now as a current member of the AST Board of Directors, I pull from my experiences and the most incredible mentors to make informed and educated decisions on what is best for our organization. I give nothing but 110% and I expect nothing but 110%. If we all believe this and continue to believe in the organization and ourselves as CSTs, our excellence becomes second nature.