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A Farewell Letter from Former President Fernando Mendoza, CST, FAST

October 9, 2021

 

Dear CA-SA members:

 

Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve you during these last four years as your president. Through this journey not only did I have the chance to meet new members and expand my professional network, but also enjoy the opportunity to work and gain experience with a strong and dedicated Board of Directors. My goal has always been to give my 100% each day, to work together in order   to enhance our profession and help The Association of Surgical Technologists achieve the best educational outcomes for the membership. During this my last term as president not only was it hard, but also challenging. COVID- 19 reminded us how important it is to learn to improvise and still be able to give 100% care to our patients, family, friends, coworkers and our jobs. Zoom became the “new normal” for our meetings. The pandemic made us more resilient, more aware of our value as healthcare workers, front liners, and essential people… we incorporated that word “Essential” in today’s CA-SA Conference.

 

As part of the Board of Directors for CA-SA, I had the opportunity to represent you as a Delegate of California to the AST Conference in Las Vegas. We worked hard with AST to continue towards the legislation efforts for Recognition of the Profession and the requirement of the CST credential for employment. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 we had to put this effort on hold. It hasn’t been forgotten and we are not giving up!

 

As I move forward with my professional development, holding different positions on the Board of Directors for 8 years, I have a passion and desire to serve and do more. My involvement with AST and CA-SA has empowered me to fulfill my promise to become more present, to promote the profession more, to learn about our different organizations much more

 

I am honored to announce that AST has re-appointed me to the Board of Directors of the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants (NBSTSA). Upon the end of my term as Treasurer, I was elected to the Secretary position last week during our Spring Board meeting.

 

I will continue to serve the membership and assist the new Board of Directors to be elected today as they feel necessary.

 

 

Once again thank you for the great opportunity to serve as your president and for your trust in my ability to lead this organization. I wish the new Board of Directors much success, I feel the candidates are ready to continue the work and I know the membership as always will respond and be ready to lend a hand when call upon.

 

Let’s have a great Conference today. Let’s pray for a healthier and peaceful 2022. Let’s commit to our profession. Let’s commit to our education. Let’s commit t to the students, who are the future of our profession. Let’s commit to be more patient, more thankful, more energized to continue serving our patients with a Servant Heart.

 

Peace to All and Aeger Primo (Patient First)

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