MSA is about quality patient care;  MSA is about our profession;  MSA is about you!

President’s Letter

AST 41st National Conference

Every year National Conference holds multiple educational experiences that prove to be exciting, enlightening and invigorating! AST membership has reached new heights with close to 30,000 members-an increase of 35% over the last 4 years. This year’s opening speaker, Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happiness, reminded us that the path to reaching our dreams is not necessarily clear of obstacles and may require multiple sacrifices. Each year we are challenged to move forward, to pursue our dreams, to become the best that we can. One goal of AST is that all states pass legislation that will provide Safe and Quality Patient Care by requiring education and certification of all practicing surgical technologists. This legislative effort is taking place in multiple states.

This year the delegates voted on changes to the AST By-Laws as well as elections to office.  The AST By-Law changes will be available at www.ast.org.  The election results are: The position of Secretary was filled by Roy Zacharias CST from Texas; the four board of director positions were filled by Kathy Demitras CST-CVS from Florida, Maranda Mazyck CST from South Carolina, John D. Ratliff CST from South Carolina, and Rebecca Hall CST/CSA from Michigan!
Please join Kathy, Laurie, Kris, Chris, Donovan, Eileen, Jean, Jeanine and I in Congratulating Rebecca Hall! MSA is proud of Rebecca and her desire to serve Surgical Technology at the National level.  This is truly an exciting moment for the state of Michigan!

Cathy Sparkman met with MSA members on Saturday, May 29th at 4:00 p.m. encouraging us to continue our efforts to have HB 4834 passed. We each can make a difference! Brad Comment, our lobbyist, continues to identify and direct us in our pursuit. This effort is not just the responsibility of the officers and board members, but it is the membership that will make the difference by obtaining the support of the surgeons that we stand next to every day.  The legislative effort is about patient safety! By requiring Surgical Technologists to meet an educational standard, to be credentialed, and to maintain continuing education, all members of the surgical team will equipped to provide the best possible patient care. It is time that “the best practice standards” include every member of the surgical team!
You can obtain MSA-AST Talking points by clicking on this link. Make a copy of the letter from the American College of Surgeons (on our website) urging the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Surgeons to support our efforts! A copy of a letters of support for surgeons, nurses, and administrators are available on the website and must be submitted on letterhead. Please submit these letters via email to me at MSA-AST or fax copies of the letter to 517-485-9408, attention Lynda Custer or mail it to 1000 W. St. Joseph Hwy. Lansing, MI 48915, attn: Lynda Custer or you can e-mail me.

Skip into Spring

Skip into Spring on April 17, 2010 was a pleasant spring day where MSA-AST members came together to participate in an excellent educational workshop.  The day was filled with conversation, proved to be relaxing, and consisted not only of great speakers but a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing and elections.
MSA-AST welcomes Donovan Traverse to the position of Board of Directors and Kris El-Chemor to the position of Secretary!  Thank you to both Jeanine Cupp and Eileen Kortes who agreed to complete a 2nd term on the Board of Directors.   “Thank you” to Rebecca Hall, who had completed 2 terms on the board and for remaining on as the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, and to Julie Jackson who has stepped down as Chair to the Education Committee for her service over the last 3 years. Julie will continue to coordinate the student membership.

Tech to Tech

Tech to Tech, the MSA Fall workshop will be held in Mackinaw City on September 25, 2010 at the Mackinaw Beach and Bay All Suites Resort.
929 South Huron Avenue | P.O. Box 518 | Mackinaw City, MI  49701
(231) 436-8621 | (800) 468-7736
Come enjoy the beautiful sites of Mackinaw City, the Bridge and Mackinaw Island. Or Grab a coffee and a sweatshirt and relax from your lakefront suite while enjoying Lake Huron.
“Tech to Tech” is an excellent opportunity not only to learn from your peers, but to share your knowledge! Already we have had experienced MSA techs and assistants willing to provide insight into their area of expertise.
Laurie Johnson CST & Jean Chester CST – Medical Missions
Brenda Mae Chilcote CST – DaVinci © Update
Rebecca Hall CST/CSA – Sterile Conscience and Ethics
Paula Hayes CST – Avoiding Injury on the Job and Stress Management
Every one of us has something to offer. Due to changes in AST credits, you may want to discuss a portion of a topic for 30 minutes.  If you think that you might want to present or you are interested in presenting please contact me! Watch over the next few months as the speaker list grows!

Delegates and Elections

Remember, we are asking those interested in attending the 42nd National Conference in San Francisco delegates to complete their forms and submit them during the Fall Workshop; no consent to serve will be considered after January 1, 2011 unless there are still vacancies. There are specific duties required of all delegates. Any form of reimbursement is dependent upon meeting the required duties.

The following positions for office will be voted upon at the Annual 2011 Business Meeting:
President, (must have served 1 complete term on the board of directors) Vice – President, Treasurer, and 2 board of director positions. Please submit your consent to serve by January 1, 2011 in order to have your information published on the website and in the newsletter. This information must be submitted to Eileen Kortes, Chair of the Election Committee.

MSA-AST

I recently had a conversation about MSA. It was during this conversation that I started thinking about MSA and what it means to me. I thought about naming everyone that I have had the opportunity to meet, talk to, or work with over the last 10 years, but I would miss someone and then the focus would be on who I missed and not the point that I want to make.  MSA has been the avenue to meet and to grow and to develop many relationships that have enriched my life not because we agree on everything, but because we share a love of our profession.

MSA-AST is a state assembly with rich resources and talents! MSA is for all surgical technologists, assistants and students, not just a few people! As of May 2010, MSA reached more than 1000 members! MSA is about the practice of surgical technology and ensuring quality patient care!
The Biggest and Largest Challenge that MSA ever faced as a state assembly was the Mock Total Knee procedure in Lansing. This event did not just happen. It was the effort on the part of many members from ALL OVER MICHIGAN and took commitment, dedication and many man hours to plan, to coordinate and to present!  MSA was successful in kicking off HB 4834.
MSA is like any family or organization: MSA needs all of its members to grow and to be strong. MSA is about coordinating our efforts and goals and providing continuing education; MSA is about networking and professionalism.
MSA is about quality patient care; MSA is about our profession; MSA is about you!

 

Lynda Custer, CST, MA, Ed
President, MSA-AST