2003 slate of candidates - Candidates

AORN Journal,  Jan, 2003  

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I have been privileged to be involved in several AORN strategic directions. My involvement in activities that connect our universe of perioperative nursing include promoting and representing perioperative nurses' and RN first assistants' interests in state and federal legislation and regulatory policy that is imperative for future viability. As chair of the Recommended Practices Committee, we began to incorporate current evidence-based research in our process. My participation in planning national education opportunities provides diverse, timely, up-to-date information. These activities provide me a chance to give back a small amount of what I have received.

The opportunities, afforded by AORN have advanced my personal life and career. I am committed to helping AORN and perioperative nursing create our preferred future for perioperative practice. I value these opportunities and look forward to partnering with you to create new dimensions in perioperative nursing.

MARY JO W. STEIERT, RN, CNOR, is a gynecological OR staff nurse at Swedish Medical Center/ Health One, Englewood, Colo. She earned her diploma in nursing from Mercy School of Nursing, Denver.

Steiert has been a perioperative nurse for 30 years and a member of AORN for 25 years. She was Secretary (2000-2002), a member of the Board of Directors (1996-2000), and chaired the Bylaws Committee (1997-1998). She also was a member of the Finance and Audit (2001-2002), Policy (1998-1999), Bylaws (1995-1996), Nominating (1993-1995), and Legislative (1993) Committees. She also chaired the Board and Nomination Structure Task Force (2002), and she was a member of the Portable Perioperative Course (2001-2002), Name Update (1998-1999), Logo Update (1999-2000), and Presidential Reimbursement (2001-2002) Task Forces.

Steiert is a member of the Ambulatory Surgery (1995-present), Leadership (2002-present), and RN First Assistant (1995-present) Specialty Assemblies. She was a Board liaison (1999-2002).

She is a member of AORN of Denver, where she was the parliamentarian (1999-2000). She was a member of the ways and means (1992-2002), bylaws (1999-2001; 1993-1995), research (1999-2000), education (1998-2000), legislative (1993-1996), awards (1993-1996), budget/finance (1993-1995), and scholarship (1993-1994) committees.

Steiert is a member of her state nurses association (1993-present), the Colorado State Council of Operating Room Nurses (2001-present), and the Nurses in Reproductive Medicine Professional Group (2002-present). She has attended 10 Congresses in the past 10 years, nine as a delegate and one as an alternate.

Election statement. While celebrating our 50th AORN Congress, reflecting on past successes, and creating our legacy as a premier nursing organization, we must consider our future. Behind us we see great achievements, and before us we see greater possibilities. I approach it with hope and expectation, filled with excitement at what lies ahead and absolute determination to make the most of those opportunities. I believe we must take a responsible and balanced approach.