Earlier this month, Kristie Cole, the director of South Plains College’s surgical technology and sterile processing program, was elected to the Association of Surgical Technologists’ (AST) National Board of Directors.
Cole was elected during AST’s national conference in Seattle, Washington, by representatives of the organization’s constituent state assemblies.
AST was established in 1969 and is one of the oldest and most widely recognized professional organizations for surgical technologists. Its mission is primarily to ensure that surgical technologists possess “the knowledge and skill sets to administer the highest quality of care to every patient.”
The National Board of Directors consists of 11 individuals, including the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and seven directors and is charged with “the overall responsibility of conducting the affairs of the association according to the Bylaws and as mandated by the House of Delegates in the best interest of the membership,” according to ASL’s website. The board is responsible for conducting the association’s affairs.
Cole said she is “proud to represent SPC and looks forward to serving surgical technologists across the nation.”
“It is an incredible honor to serve on the AST National Board of Directors,” she added. “I believe education, advocacy, leadership and evidence-based practice are essential to advancing our profession and ensuring the highest standards of patient safety.”
Cole is also currently the president of the Texas State Assembly of AST, which offers various programs and events throughout the year, including workshops and educational programs that offer Live CE credits, as well as access to a network of professionals within your area.
Additionally, she serves on AST’s national Education Professional and Standards Committee, which is responsible for developing strategies that enhance entrylevel surgical technology education, reviewing the production of educational material and ensuring the adequacy of the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology.
Cole has been involved in SPC’s surgical technology program since 2006, when she began as a student. She has since “dedicated parts of her doctoral education to researching how structured surgical technology orientation programs influence workforce readiness,” according to a press statement by SPC.
She has worked as an educator at SPC for over 15 years and continues to focus on improving healthcare education, the surgical technology profession and patient and surgical team outcomes.
Cole said she believes that “investing in education and empowering our members ultimately strengthens the surgical team and enhances patient care.”