SPC faculty member joins Association of Surgical Technologists National Board of Directors

Kristie Cole, director of South Plains College’s surgical technology and sterile processing program, was elected to the Association of Surgical Technologists National Board of Directors during the organization’s national conference early this month in Seattle, Washington.

During the annual conference, current members elect industry professionals to the board, which is responsible for conducting association 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 said. “I believe education, advocacy, leadership and evidence-based practice are essential to advancing our profession and ensuring the highest standards of patient safety.”

Cole’s time in SPC’s surgical technology program began when she was a student in 2006, and she has since dedicated parts of her doctoral education to researching how structured surgical technology orientation programs influence workforce readiness. With over 15 years of experience as an SPC educator, she continues to focus on advancing healthcare education and the surgical technology profession while improving outcomes for patients and surgical teams.

Along with her SPC duties, Cole is the president of the Texas State Assembly of AST and serves on AST’s national Education Professional and Standards Committee.

“Investing in education and empowering our members ultimately strengthens the surgical team and enhances patient care,” she said.

For more information about SPC’s surgical technology and sterile processing program, visit the College’s website or contact Cole at kcole@southplainscollege.edu.