AST involvement
National: AST Board of Directors, 2006-2008; Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists, 2007-present; AST Policy and Procedures Committee, 2007-2008; AST Credentials Committee, 2006-2007. State: Texas State Assembly Board of Directors, 2002-2003, President 2003-2008.
Election statement
Hello, my name is Jeff Feix, and I am serving you as director on the AST Board of Directors. This experience has driven me to seek the office of secretary in 2008.
“Empowering Our Community” is the theme of the 2008 conference, and I want to continue to work to empower members. During my first term, I worked for all AST members, constantly aware that you are the most important part of our community.
The future of our organization depends significantly on working to empower our position within the surgical arena. We must seek every avenue possible to educate the public and legislators on why education and credentialing are essential to our profession. Surgical technology deserves the same recognition as nursing. I will continue to seek certification as a condition of employment in all states. The past efforts to reach out to AORN must continue to help us reach our goals.
We continue to make strides in legislative regulation, but we can do more. As our state assembly system grows and matures, more states are organizing efforts to seek regulation and recognition of our profession. We must continue to provide guidance and support to the state assemblies and ensure they have all the necessary tools. Our organization is over 24,000 members strong which provides the financial stability to support the efforts of the growing state assembly network.
My tenure on the AST Board has allowed me to learn about the day-to-day operations, and how the staff works full time to keep the organization operating efficiently. The opportunity to participate in strategic planning for AST and the membership has been rewarding for me personally. I always have kept members in mind and how our decisions will impact you professionally, financially, and individually. I have listened to member’s ideas and suggestions, taken past leader’s advice to heart, and have made every effort to represent you, the member, in a professional manner at all times.
This role provided me the opportunity to present the idea of a Professional Code of Conduct to the Board, and I was proud not only personally, but also for our organization in adopting this important concept. This code provides our members and leaders with a guide for professional conduct and sets a standard we want to achieve in our community.
Working with the ARC-ST and the NBSTSA executive directors and staff to improve the education and credentialing process continues to be important for AST. While each organization has separate functions for the profession, it is important to work towards the common goal of surgical patient safety and empowerment of our community.
I want to thank the members of AST again for allowing me to serve as a director on the AST Board and ask that you consider my qualifications to serve in the office of secretary. The future continues to shine brightly for our profession, and I ask that you allow me the opportunity to work for the “Empowerment of Our Community” as secretary of AST.
Jeff's Responses to Candidate Questions |
