JANUARY 2012

January 23, 2012

Greetings to all or our members and visitors to our site.

Plans are underway for the workshop in October. The date and location will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. We would appreciate input from our members in regard to the content of this event. Last year, we had a record number of attendees. The number of students attending was a record as well, and another pleasure to see. Students are very important to us, as they are the future of the Assembly, and the field of Surgical Technology. So please, if you are a student, and have a specific desire for a program, feel free to give your input as well.

Now, I will go onto a different subject. Many know that the career of surgical technology involves a great deal as far as personal sacrifice, dedication to and concern for the surgical patient. To be duly certified, and maintain such, also requires additional aspects of perseverance regarding upkeep of certification through the educational process. This field requires hours of work and call. It also requires hours away from family and family events. All of us “veterans” realize it involves giving up many things in order to devote time to our patients. Each and every one of us who have been doing this for any length of time realizes that these things become a part of and integrated into our lives.

In spite of these “detractions” from our personal lives, many of us have chosen to remain in this field for many years. Why have we done so? Well, probably the answers to that question are as varied as the number of people themselves; but, once in a while, it is nice to recognize those who have demonstrated a dedication to this profession of caring. In this months “Journal,” many are listed for their years of service.

I have taken the list of those from Arizona, and am presenting them here. Recognition is a good thing, and these members have earned the right to be recognized. Congratulations to all of the following Technologists for their years of service, dedication and patient care as a very important member of the surgical team:

20+ years
Ann Marie Fisher
Heather Geronimi, CST
Jill Gibson, CST
Corey Hinton, CST
Roy Keller, CST, CSFA
Donna Mitchell, CST, CSFA (AZSA Vice-President)
Leann Williams, CST, CSFA

21+ years
Danita Bennett, CST (AZSA Board of Directors)

22+ years
Paula Bagby, CST
Clinton Cervi, CST

23+ years
Sharon Clark, CST
Brenda McQuaid, CST

26+ years
Kathleen Brauchla, CST
Mary Suffolk, CST

27+ years
John Houck, CST
Sharon Pickard, CST

28+ years
Margaret Potesta, CST

29+ years
Diane Barnes, CST
Monica Cervi, CST (AZSA Board of Directors)
Ed Kircher, CST, CSFA, SA-C, BS (AZSA President)

33+ years
Mimi Conway, CST (AZSA Secretary)
Catherine Hamann, CST
Linda Morey, CST

38+ years
Ernest Garcia, CST

39+ years
Christine Bernstead, CST
Elizabeth Edgar, CST

41+ years
Margarethe May, CST, FAST (Past President, AST National)


Again, congratulations to those listed above that have been on the “cutting edge” of patient care for many years. Should I have missed anyone, please let me know at: president@azsa-ast.org.

To our students, you can see there are some big shoes to fill but we know you can step up to the plate and take a place of honor as well. We have that faith and confidence in you.

Aeger Primo

Ed Kircher, CST, CSFA, SA-C
President
Arizona State Assembly of the AST