CCI Announces New Leadership to Steer Future Initiatives

Byrne is currently an Associate Professor of Nursing at North George College and State University in Dahlonega, GA. She has been a CNOR since 1993 and has more than 24 years experience in perioperative nursing. Dr. Byrne has been a member of the CCI Board of Directors since 2006 and has served as the Chairperson of the Research Committee and the Board Liaison to CCI’s Think Tank programs.

Since 2006, Asplin has served as a member of the CCI Board and as CNOR Test Development Liaison.  He is currently the Clinical Director, Surgery and Central Processing, for St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. He has been a CNOR since 1991 and has more than 22 years of experience in perioperative nursing. In addition to his service on the Board, he is on the Finance Committee and has previously volunteered for the CRNFA Item Review Committee and the CNOR Item Writer Committee.

Joining Byrne and Asplin are Gorgone and Sones, both serving in their first leadership roles with CCI.  Their extensive experience will complement the current composition of the Board. 

“I feel that by having been in management and leadership positions in various settings, and now functioning as a staff nurse with leadership responsibilities, I’m able to give a global view of the perioperative nurse in today’s healthcare environment,” Gorgone said. 

Gorgone, a 22-year member of the perioperative nursing community, currently works as a Perioperative Staff Nurse Level III in the Main Operating Room at Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA.  She has also worked as a clinician, preceptor, Magnet Champion, member of the Perioperative Peer Review Committee, Evidenced-Based Practice Committee and the hospital-wide Professional Advancement Committee. Last year, she completed a two-year term as Co-Chair of the Children’s Hospital Staff Nurse Council. She has been certified for 17 years and is currently working toward a Master’s degree in nursing administration that she hopes will provide another perspective for the perioperative nurse in the academic environment.

“It’s imperative that the standard of excellence that has been established by CCI is upheld,” she said. “Making the correct decisions and recommendations can have an impact on this.”

The CCI Board will also rely on the broad knowledge that Sones brings as Public Member to ensure their decisions are in the best interest of the ultimate consumer—the patient. 

“I would like to be a bridge between CCI and the hospitals where CCI-certified nurses work,” Sones, who has served as a Board member for a large regional hospital that places a high priority on patient safety and quality care, said. “I also hope to raise awareness of the credentialing process and its value to hospitals.”

Sones’ career has focused on public and community service. He has been a board member for national organizations such as the Municipal Waste Management Association, part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.  He also has experience in credentialing having been a representative of the Credentialing Committee of his local hospital, a position that gave him valuable insight into the value of quality certification programs.

“I look forward to working to improve the quality of the care and safety of the patients served by CCI-certified nurses and helping to expand the certification process to many more hospitals across the country,” Sones said.
           
The new directors and officers will begin their service following the AORN Congress, March 30 to April 3, 2008 in Anaheim, CA. Byrne will serve as President Elect through 2009 and will then serve as President through 2010.