The Business of 2016 AST National Conference

During this year’s election, we elected Secretary and 4 Board of Directors for the AST National Board. Congratulations to the newly elected AST National Secretary and Board of Directors:

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Meet Your

GASA Board of

Directors

pages 2-3

AST National

Conference

Highlights

pages 4-8

September 2016

Meeting in Tybee

Island, GA

page 9

Peach Review J U L Y 2 0 1 6 I S S U E 2 0

O F F I C E R S

President

Terri Crosson, CST

Vice President

L. Gene Burke,

CST, FAST

Secretary

Erin Baggett, CST

Treasurer

Dustin Cain, CST

B O A R D O F

D I R E C T O R S

Ben Hand, CST

Edith Park, CST

T.C. Parker, CST,

FAST

James Sather, CST

Stephen Wurtz, CST

SECRETARY

Heather Burggraf, CST

North Carolina

DIRECTOR

Jessica Elliott, CST,

RN, FAST

Mississippi

DIRECTOR

Sandra Farley, CST,

FAST

South Carolina

We are especially proud of

our GASA Treasurer,

Dustin Cain, who was

elected this year to the AST

Board of Directors!

Dustin began his involvement at the national

level as Vice President of the AST Student

Association. He has since served as GASA

Director and Treasurer, and this year completed

a 2-year term as the Chair of the AST Bylaws,

Resolutions and Parliamentary Procedures

Committee. Congratulations Dustin!

DIRECTOR

Dustin Cain, CST

Georgia

DIRECTOR

Rachel Ray, CST, CSFA,

FAST

Arkansas

P A G E 2 G E O R G I A S T A T E A S S E M B L Y

Meet Your GASA Board of Directors

Terri Crosson, CST

President

City: Statesboro, GA

Employer:

Ogeechee Technical Col-

lege

Position:

ST Program Director

CST Since: 2008

Current AST Position:

State Assembly Lead-

ership Committee for

AST

Former AST Positions:

GASA Vice President

and Director

Erin Baggett, CST

Secretary

City: Winder, GA

Employer:

Gwinnett Technical

College, Lawrenceville

Position:

ST Lab Instructor

CST Since: 2011

Former AST Positions:

GASA Director

AST Awards:

2015 AST Clinical

Educator of the Year

Dustin Cain, CST

Treasurer

City: Canton, GA

Employer:

Northside Hospital-Cherokee

Position:

Surgical Technologist

CST Since: 2012

Current AST Position:

AST Board of Directors

Former AST Positions:

Chairman of Bylaws,

Resolutions, and Parlia-

mentary Procedures

Committee for AST

Vice President of AST

Student Association

GASA Director

Gene Burke, CST, FAST

Vice President

City: Augusta, GA

Employer:

Augusta Technical College

Position:

ST Program Director

CST Since: 2003

Current AST Position:

Military Liaison on the

State Assembly Lead-

ership Committee for

AST

Former AST Positions:

GASA Secretary and

Director

T.C. Parker, CST, FAST

Director

City: Grayson, GA

Employer:

Gwinnett Technical College,

Lawrenceville

Position:

ST Program Director

CST Since: 1994

Current AST Position:

Currently on Education and Professional Standards

Committee for AST

Former AST Positions:

Former GASA Secretary and Director

Stephen Wurtz, CST

Director

City: Savannah, GA

Employer:

Virginia College

Position:

ST Program Director

CST Since: 1993

Other AST Positions:

Former GASA Director

P A G E 3 I S S U E 2 0

Meet Your GASA Board of Directors

Ben Hand, CST

Director

City: Augusta, GA

Employer:

Trinity Hospital of Augusta

Position:

Surgical Technologist

CST Since: 2015

How did you start in the profes-

sion?

I got my start in this profession

while looking for a new job. Try-

ing to find a way to get my career

started in the medical field, I

came across surgical technology

as a schooling option. I quickly

knew this was the direction I

needed to take.

Hobbies / Talents:

I am a big fan of sports. Basket-

ball and soccer are by far my fa-

vorite sports to both watch and

play.

Personal / Family:

I have been married for five years

and have boy/girl twins that are

approaching two years old.

Edith Park, CST

Director

City: Savannah, GA

Employer:

Liberty Regional Medical Center

Position:

Surgical Technologist

CST Since: 2015

How did you start in the profession?

After graduating from Army Airborne

school in 2009, I learned that my pur-

pose was to serve and impact the lives of

others. I left my home in New York to

pursue opportunities in Savannah close

to the military community as well as

getting the education required to become

a CST.

Hobbies / Talents:

I love to paint and hold a Bachelor’s in

Fine Arts and majored in painting. My

art school’s motto, “Be true to your work

and your work will be true to you,” in-

spired me to attend technical school after

graduating. I treat ST as an art form and

respect what steel instruments can do to

save lives.

Personal / Family:

I am currently applying to medical

schools across the country so I can make

the greatest impact on patient lives as

well as in the ST profession. My plan is

to continue to recertify as a CST and

become a leader and advocate for patient

safety as a physician.

James Sather, CST

Director

City: Savannah, GA

Employer:

Savannah Technical College

Position:

ST Program Director

CST Since: 1998

How did you start in the profes-

sion?

I was working at Candler Hospital in

Savannah, and I always took students

to precept in Ortho, Neuro, General

and Vascular. I applied as the Clini-

cal Instructor at Savannah Tech. Af-

ter 3 years of teaching part time, I

became full time, teaching not only

clinical but didactic as well. Now I

am the department head for Surgical

Technology. I love to help teach and

mold the students into the best surgi-

cal techs they can become.

Hobbies / Talents:

Spending time with my family, Geor-

gia Bulldogs football, offshore fish-

ing

Personal / Family:

I am married with 2 beautiful girls.

One is going to USC in August to

pursue a career as a Nurse Anesthe-

tist.

P A G E 4 G E O R G I A S T A T E A S S E M B L Y

A Memorable

National Conference

by T.C. Parker, CST, FAST

GASA Director

The AST Instructors Workshop and Confer-

ence held in San Diego this year was without a

doubt one of my favorite conferences in sever-

al years. The tone and theme of the conference

was very positive and the instructor’s work-

shop was filled with new ideas from a very

new group of energetic educators.

I had the opportunity to speak at the instruc-

tor’s workshop and found the other instructors

very eager to learn and quite welcoming to

new ideas. I went away with many new friends

and lots of great ideas. It is a valuable endeav-

or and one I think all instructors or program

directors should try and attend on a regular

basis.

One of the most poignant presentations was

done by Cindy Mask, CST, FAST from Texas. It

was entitled “Taking over the Reins in Difficult

Situations.” She took over the position of Pro-

gram Director when our dear friend Don Brazi-

el died. The wisdom she had from persevering

through that difficult time was quite inspira-

tional. Another presentation by Dodi Brown,

CST was very informative. It was entitled

“Developing the Professional Student: Instruc-

tional Strategies that Work.”

The conference itself was brimming with inspi-

rational and informative topics. It began with a

very funny opening Keynote from Brad Mont-

gomery entitled “Laugh-O-Nomics: Connecting

Happiness at Work to Business Success.”

He had everyone laughing and enjoying the

morning and it was a great tone set for the rest

of the conference.

I also had the great opportunity to represent the

great state of Georgia as a delegate. Much of my

time was spent researching candidates and re-

searching information on proposed amend-

ments. It was very exciting being part of the

changes affecting AST at the national level.

As if this was not enough, I had the great fortune

of being inducted as a Fellow of AST. What an

honor! This designation is awarded to recognize

those individuals who have upheld the highest

professional, ethical and moral standards and

traditions of the surgical technology profession,

and whose professional activity has been devot-

ed to improving the quality of surgical patient

care.

All in all, I would say it was a very successful,

inspiring and informative trip. Make your plans

now to attend next year in New Orleans!

T.C. Parker taking the FAST Oath

P A G E 5 I S S U E 2 0

Passing the Torch by Terri Crosson, CST, GASA President

This year at conference we repeatedly heard the phrase “Forging Ahead”, so much so that I could have repeated it in my sleep and possibly did. What I did realize it that we cannot forge ahead if we don’t make a clear path for those following behind us. Mentoring is a difficult thing to do when we are used to doing tasks ourselves and hogging the spotlight (when it looks bright). But if we don’t mentor those be-hind us, the path will be lost and we end up wayward with an unclear future. I have to admit that mentoring is not always my strong suit, and it’s up to my board and those around me to kindly remind me with a firm, but loving slap to the back of my head. Mentoring doesn’t pertain to just board members, but to students and new techs as well. It is up to “seasoned” techs to pass their knowledge forward to the younger, less experienced surgical techs. Show them the clear path set in front of them so they can guide those behind them. If valuable information is not passed on to future generations, it can be lost, regardless of the frequent changes made in technology. We must continue to move forward, taking the hand of those behind us and guide them into the spot-light. Remember, we all had mentors and preceptors to guide us as we learned the many tricks of the trade in the Operating Room. Take the time to be that mentor someone was to you.

2016 AST National Conference by Georgia Carter, CST, CSFA, FAST, LPN

The highlight of Conference actually begins with the March journal when candidates are announced… and this year it included one of our own, Dustin Cain! Then choosing which educational sessions you want to attend. The variety will make you want to change your mind at least 2 or 3 times. So, by the time you actually arrive at Conference, you want to change your entire schedule. The caliber of educational sessions by both physicians, nurses, Certified Surgical Technolo-gists and other medical personnel exceeds the previous year. From the Opening Ceremony and Welcome by our President to the closing Business Session with the swearing in of new officers, everyone is in awe. And, as proud Georgians that we are, Dustin Cain was elect-ed to his first term as a Board of Director. Congrats to him! By the time the closing night party begins, hardly anyone can pick up their feet to dance. Just pack, keep memories, and plan for next year!

Make your plans now to attend! AST 48th Annual National

Conference - June 8-10, 2017 New Orleans Marriott

P A G E 6 G E O R G I A S T A T E A S S E M B L Y

Your GASA Delegates and Alternates: Jenn Germany, Terri Crosson, T.C. Parker, Georgia Carter, Dustin Cain,

Gene Burke, Erin Baggett, Arleen Nicholas

Your GASA Delegates on voting day: Jenn Germany, Terri Crosson, Gene Burke, Dustin Cain, T.C. Parker, Georgia Carter, Arleen Nicholas, Erin Baggett

GASA Director T.C. Parker taking the FAST Oath

The marina view from our hotel

The San Diego Bay view from our hotel

AST National Board of Directors being sworn in: President Roy Zacharias, Director Sandra Farley, Director Jessica Elliott,

Director Rachel Ray, Director Dustin Cain

GASA Secretary Erin Baggett named 2015 AST Clinical

Educator of the Year

P A G E 7 I S S U E 2 0

National Bylaws Changes from San Diego by Dustin Cain, CST, GASA Treasurer, AST Board of Directors

I must first say that it was an honor and privilege to serve the state of Georgia at the 47th annual Na-tional Conference in San Diego as a Delegate. Also, I look forward to representing Georgia on the Na-tional Board of Directors. I would like to take this opportunity to discuss the bylaw changes that took place at conference. There were three bylaws changes that were passed by a 2/3 vote of the House of Delegates: 1. A member holding an elective position, or an appointed position on a standing committee, may

not be nominated for another position for which the term would begin before expiration of the term of the current position unless the member resigns from her/his current elective position or appointed position.

This bylaw was changed so that standing committee members would not be able to hold their seat on the committee while trying to run for the Board of Directors. The member will now need to be at the end of their term, or resign from their committee to seek election onto the Board of Directors. As a reminder, all bylaw changes require a 2/3 vote of the House of Dele-gates.

2. Active retired or disabled Pre-77 Past President members have delegate status, voice and

vote in the House of Delegates.

This bylaw change was made to allow a small number of retired Past Presidents who do not hold current certification the right to vote in the House of Delegates. Preceding this vote, the Past Presidents were required to maintain their certification.

3. Each state, the District of Columbia, and the active duty military, whether a single-state or as

part of a multistate assembly, shall be entitled to six delegates and six alternates, provided the as-sembly is in good standing as defined in the AST Policy Manual.

Since the District of Columbia and the active duty military have such small representation, it was voted that these two bodies be removed from the definition of State Assembly. The mem-bers in those two bodies may choose which State Assembly to join.

We also had two bylaws amendments that were voted on that did not pass by a 2/3 vote of the House of Delegates. The first failed amendment was to change Vice-President to President-Elect, who would automatically succeed to the office of President after two years. The second failed amendment was to allow the chair of Standing Committees to appoint their committee after the chair was appointed by the President and approved by the Board. It was an honor serving the membership of the AST as the chair of the Bylaws, Resolutions, and Parlia-mentary Procedures Committee of AST for the past two years. I look forward to my journey on the Na-tional Board and my continued journey on the GASA Board as well.

Double Duties by Gene Burke, CST, FAST,

GASA Vice President This year I had the privilege of not only representing the GREAT State of Georgia at National Conference, but I was also there as a member of a National Committee. To say that I was busy is the understatement of the year. Trying to ensure that my national duties did not coincide with my state duties was a task, but one that I would gladly do all over again. The conference was such a huge success. The week started off with me attending the State Assembly Leadership Forum and there were so many great topics. I heard some wonderful comments regarding that forum. There were some “hot” topics that needed some clarification, and that took place. It was overall one of the best forums I have been to. I highly recom-mend that if you are remotely interested in being on your State Assembly Board, that you attend the SALC Fo-rum next year in New Orleans. This was a pivotal year within our organization as several bylaws amendments were discussed and voted on. Boy, was that a session! Some for the amendment, some opposed, but as an association body we were able to be cordial and get our points across. As your elected Delegates and Alternates, we sat together as one unified group from our state. People recognized the GASA, and we were proud of that. My duties as Delegate Chair will end with this conference. I will be going to conference next year, but hopeful-ly I will represent our great State Assembly as the President. We, as a national organization and as a State As-sembly, have a lot to accomplish, but we must continue to “Forge Ahead” if we are to meet those goals.

P A G E 8 G E O R G I A S T A T E A S S E M B L Y

An Unforgettable Week by Erin Baggett, CST, GASA Secretary

This year’s National Conference in San Diego was unforgettable for a lot of reasons. Firstly, San Diego is beautiful, and I was privileged to travel a couple of days early to see some sites and en-joy the Southern California sun. Secondly, this year’s Conference was truly remarkable because there were so many Board of Directors positions open for election, AND there were five Bylaws amendments to be consid-ered. This year’s decisions for Delegates was momentous. And, I am pleased to report that eve-ryone conducted this business in a professional and admirable manner. Thirdly, our Delegates and Alternates meshed and worked together this year like I have never experienced. We truly had a family feel this year, and it was so enjoyable to work with others who care as much about GASA as I do. Finally, this year’s highlight for me was being awarded AST Clinical Educator of the Year for 2015. This is sincerely an honor to be chosen among so many great educators throughout the country. I have my co-workers and students to thank for their support and inspiration every day in my job!

Beachfront at Hotel Tybee, Tybee Island GA

- Incredible guest room rates: $89-99 for inland view $129-139 for ocean view

- Reservations: www.hoteltybee.com and use promo code GASA2016

Register for our educational workshop at http://www.ast-gasa.org/fall-2016-meeting.html

Join us on beautiful Tybee Island to learn from the

Savannah medical community! Earn 8 CE's in one day for only $65, plus receive hot breakfast and lunch!

Don't miss this great opportunity to have a mini vacation at a BEACHFRONT hotel on Tybee Island!

- Reservations may require deposit at time of booking - The hotel reserves the right to a 2 night minimum stay after 8/1/16 - Reservations are first come, first serve and based on availability - Rates apply September 7-13, 2016