It has been my pleasure to serve the ASA membership as president for the previous two years. We have accomplished many things to promote the profession during this time period and are continuously trying new ideas to meet the needs of the profession as a whole. In the last two years, ASA has had substantive discussions with The Joint Commission regarding the role of surgical assistants; sponsored a national survey to evaluate the role of surgical assistants in patient safety; updated surgical assistant legislation in Kentucky; initiated legislation in Georgia and Virginia with NSAA; working toward legislation in Ohio; partnered with NSAA to offer the first joint surgical assistant meeting; exhibited annually at the national conferences of the American Society of Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM); partnered with American Surgical Professionals and NSSA plus several surgical assisting education programs to produce a surgical assisting video; and sponsored the first advanced robotics workshop at the Intuitive training center in Norcross.

In addition, ASA is working on the next edition of the Core Curriculum for Surgical Assisting and the first surgical assisting textbook that will be relevant to the role of the surgical assistant.

Whether it is legislative action, policy development, or establishing relationships with other organizations, I will continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for our members and profession.

It would be an honor and privilege to serve this great organization as president for the next two years.

What are your priorities for ASA?

The most prominent priority for me is to make certain that this association gains independency as a stand-alone organization. This will not only foster growth but will provide better definition between the surgical assistant and the surgical technologist for recognition, strategic partnerships, and legislative initiatives.

How will you utilize your personal experience to benefit surgical assisting?

I believe that my experience within the field of surgical assisting has provided the necessary tools needed to lead this organization. My background as an independent practitioner, business owner, and hospital employed assistant provides me with an in-depth understanding of the needs of all our members. My experience working in the educational and accreditation aspects of the profession provides the knowledge to enable the ability to foster collaboration with entities many would not think of including in our fight for recognition.

Define the biggest challenges and identify some solutions for the profession.

Moving forward, I believe the biggest challenge for the profession is twofold: Growth of the profession and member initiative. Even though the profession is growing overall, those becoming assistants are becoming reluctant to join ASA and lack initiative to get involved in the profession.

I believe once ASA becomes an independent organization, those reluctant to join presently, will see more of the benefits by becoming members. As of now, they can join AST and be provided the same benefits. I believe that initiative will come with further activity within the profession. As more and more gets accomplished, it will provide a more positivity to get involved and continue the fight.

There have been many times over the past two years as I have served as your Vice President of ASA that I am thankful to be able to contribute and be a voice for this amazing organization. In this coming election, I would again like to put my name for consideration to continue as your Vice President for an additional term. There are so many avenues that are yet to be taken and the work is still being done to make this a premier organization for us all. We are moving forward in legislative efforts in states that have previously been closed to our profession in the past. Our membership is growing, although there is always room for additional growth. As your Vice President, I will work diligently to advance the progression of our association. I am always available to our members for any questions and concerns and welcome any suggestions that would benefit ASA. I thank you for your support and look forward to the opportunity in serving you as your next Vice President.

What are your priorities for ASA?

I would like to see more involvement of our members on a state level. I would encourage the development of a grass roots effort with your legislators so they will be more involved and knowledgeable about our profession. This will stimulate conversation amongst legislators and will allow for future discussion regarding legislative efforts. In addition formal education requirements are becoming a priority and advanced CEU's are essential for the recognition of Surgical Assisting

How will you utilize your personal experience to benefit surgical assisting?

I am an advocate for the mentoring of those who are new to this field of surgical assisting. It is my desire to encourage and teach what I have learned over the past 27 years as a surgical assistant. The advice I was given many years ago was that "you should never stop learning and always be open to suggestions and new ideas." It is important that you are knowledgeable about each and every case that you are called upon to assist with.

Define the biggest challenges and identify some solutions for the profession.

Some of the biggest challenges that we face are in the hospital venues as we are often not recognized for the position that we have as surgical assistants. The insurance companies are reluctant to recognize us as health care providers, and to reimburse for our services. As our profession moves forward the educational availability needs to be accessible at a nationwide level.

Hello, my name is Rebecca Hall, and I am asking for the opportunity to serve you, the membership, as treasurer on the ASA Board of Directors. I most recently served as the treasurer for Michigan State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists (MSA-AST). This has well prepared me for the role of ASA treasurer.

My experience and contributions on a state and national level have provided me insight on the challenges we have as we move forward with our legislative goals. My passion for our profession gives me unending enthusiasm, energy and determination to serve the membership in the utmost integrity to ensure we continue to move forward to achieve our goals.

One of our organizational goals is to move to become independent entity and strengthen the relationship with NSAA. Although no one knows the exact “tools” that may be needed over the next few years to position ASA as an important partner in providing quality care to the surgical patient, we do know that surgical assistants have the collective knowledge, skills, and expertise to make sure the association not only meets its vision, but that it exceeds it.

We have grown into an organization I have been proud to be a part of, and thankful to have previously had the opportunity to represent you as secretary. I look forward to continuing to represent our profession as the next treasurer. With membership numbers reaching over 1450, the profession of Surgical Assisting has the opportunity to grow even more during these changing economic and health care reform times. Many conversations are taking place at the local and national level and initiatives for change are constantly underway.

I have been proud to practice as a Certified Surgical Assistant for the past 14 years and educate future surgical assistants the past four. During my career, I have been fortunate to serve in leadership positions that have placed me to be an advocate, and allowed me to see the “big picture” in order to make decisions based on information not emotions. This has driven me to seek the office of treasurer. The anticipation of seeing our organization grow into such a respected part of the surgical team is very rewarding! I look forward to the possibility of serving you, the membership of ASA as treasurer. Thank you in advance for your support.

What are your priorities for ASA?

A very important priority is to strengthen the organization. We can do this by fostering a sense of identification through educating the public as to who we are and what we do. One way is for us to establish a ‘National Surgical Assisting Week’. This will give us tools to help educate the public as well as give recognition to our profession. Also, by ensuring ASA is committed to its members, there will be an increase of member satisfaction. By promoting what ASA can do for its membership will encourage our certified FAs to become members, stay members and get involved in the direction the future of the organization will take.

How will you utilize your personal experience to benefit surgical assisting?

I have been involved in our state assembly since 2000 and have been active in AST at a national level and ASA for the past several years. I will bring all these experiences to the ASA board table when making decisions for the benefit of our membership. My role as an educator in surgical assisting enables me to bring that perspective to the table as well to ensure we move forward requiring our standards and guidelines protect the patient and give clear guidance to assistants working in the field.

Define the biggest challenges and identify some solutions for the profession.

The biggest challenge our profession faces is a clear distinction between the role of the surgical technologist and the surgical assistant. This line is often blurred in the operating room. Working with risk management in hospitals and educating them to the legal issues of allowing a tech to work outside their scope of practice should help us with recognition for our skill set in the hospital setting. We should also visit more state assemblies to introduce the organization to FAs that are attending their state assembly workshops. Having a presence at state assemblies will allow us to offer resources to FAs in that area and may aid us in increasing membership numbers. It is our strength in numbers that will enable us to pursue our strategic goals for our organization.

My name is Brandy Farrington. I am currently a cardiothoracic and vascular first assistant at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. I began my career as a surgical technician in 1992 in the Air Force. I became a first assistant in 2009 when I was presented with the opportunity to assist with cardiac surgery. I am an active member of ASA, having instructed and attended several conferences. I have recently become involved with the Nevada State Assembly and plan to use this to help expand our profession in Nevada.

What are your priorities for ASA?

Through hard work and dedication, I plan to increase membership and participation in ASA, as well as increase awareness of our profession.

How will you utilize your personal experience to benefit surgical assisting?

My unique knowledge and skill base in cardiac surgery and endoscopic vein harvesting will help assistants grow in this highly specialized field.

Define the biggest challenges and identify some solutions for the profession.

Increasing membership and participation is challenging.

Reaching out to people and helping them to understand the importance of being involved will help growth.

Professional recognition is huge. ASA's efforts in this area are already successful and I plan to continue to help achieve this goal nationwide.

I am running for election as a representative on the Board of Directors for a second term. The profession is evolving and growing every day. As the chair of the education committee, we have seen great progress over the past two years regarding core content, the communication between the surgical assistant programs and the work completed on the core curriculum. Our work is not finished, so a 2nd term will allow us to continue that work providing documents that can be used by our members such as the Job description and position statements already published. I ask for your vote and value your input regarding educational standards, continuing education and the needs of our membership. Please feel free to provide your views, concerns, and recommendations to me anytime. It is through consensus and continuous communication that progress is made.

What are your priorities for ASA?

In every issue we face, there is an element of education to establish “realistic expectations”. Areas of Priority:

• Continuing Education online opportunities specifically designed for the SA.
• Position/Guideline statements such as a clinical ladder guideline and the rationale for single role assignments (First Assist or Scrub; no dual roles) for the CST/CSFA member to use.
• A core textbook outlining the professional body of knowledge, principles of action, and skills that are expected.
• Guidelines to best practice that are evidence based to support our practice.
• Papers or Position statements to support our position on critical issues.

How will you utilize your personal experience to benefit surgical assisting?

My personal experience as an educator, program director, and manager includes the development of presentations, reports, and policy; meeting deadlines, building consensus, being open-minded, and working as a team player. In addition, familiarity with the core curriculum provides a foundation in surgical assisting principles, techniques and skills. All of these skills improve efficacy ensuring development of our written resources which in turn, provide guidelines for hospitals and related entities such as insurance or politicians. We will continue to accomplish progress in each area of development as outlined above while being flexible to address new needs as they arise.

Define the biggest challenges and identify some solutions for the profession.

Recognized as a player at the OR table. Having a Voice that represents surgical assisting.

• Increasing membership numbers as our representative body.
  1. We need to actively market to all “surgical assistants”.
  2. Provide low-cost benefits of value to surgical assistant members when they join or renew.
  3. Develop recognition program to meet “levels” of achievment.
• Increasing revenue by increasing resources available such as online CE bundles, online textbook chapters, and other branded promotional items.
• Providing resources on line that facilities and legislators can use as guidelines; become the “go to” website for anything regarding surgical assisting.

I am running again to hold an elected position with the ASA as Director. I believe in a consistent forward motion to drive an organization toward success. This first year while being Director has served as a great foundation for me to better the members of the ASA. I am looking forward to making my case on why I should be elected for another term as Director.

What are your priorities for ASA?

1. Legislative and marketing campaign, that has a focus of licensing & required credentialing for all Surgical Assistants.
2. Creating pathways for credentialing for those surgical assistants that have been practicing for over 10 years.
3. Increasing membership and membership activity within the ASA.

How will you utilize your personal experience to benefit surgical assisting?

• My personal experience in the field of surgical assisting can benefit those that are employed by hospitals or work as independent. Having the insight along with enjoying both settings will allow me to be a mentor and a resource. There are trends that are going on right now in the field of surgical assisting. My professional peers are looking at compensation, benefits, work/life balance and job satisfaction when making the decision on what setting will ultimately fit their needs.

Define the biggest challenges and identify some solutions for the profession.

• One of the biggest challenges for the profession of Surgical Assistants are those that are working out of there scope of practice. Describe your solutions to these challenges.
• Those of us that are credentialed really need to continue to set ourselves apart from those that are not credentialed. A great way to do this this is though active participation in the ASA. I believe in higher learning, education, hands on workshop and networking.