March 10, 2012

Dear Florida State AST Members,

I would like to bring an update you on the work of your Board and Officers. In March, Max Obando, Vice President and Luis Melendez, Treasurer sponsored a workshop with excellent presentations on arthroscopy, trauma orthopedics, arthroplasty, Infection Control, Professionalism in Action, and medical errors that impact our functionality in the OR. We had 58 participants and the location was awesome. We have 6 delegates for the Washington DC Convention in May. However, we need 6 more. If you are going and are interested in acting as a delegate alternate, we have a $200 stipend for you. Stipends are given after the vote process during the last business meeting. Contact me immediately if you are interested. Next Meeting is in Orlando @ the Rosen Plaza Hotel, August 3rd & 4th. Hope to see you there.

The legislative session ended yesterday. We went up to 11 PM last night hopeful that our bill would be successful in passing on to the governor. I regret to inform you we did not clear the final vote, time ran out. Our bill was passed in the senate, added to another bill that had already passed the house, and we had hopes that it could be approved by the senate yesterday. The good news is that we have a bill with wording that is acceptable to all organizations involved in the negotiations. Our lobbyist is already seeking multiple sponsors for next year and seeking confirmation that they will facilitate the bill early in the session. We are encouraged that the bill will go forth next year since we have negotiated the major sticking points this year. Since it is an election year though, we will still have some challenges to overcome.

In the meantime, what can you do to facilitate the recognition by our state legislators that this is a profession just like nursing and not “unlicensed assistive personnel” who assist other professions?

1. Contact your local legislator representatives who are running for office, let them know that this is an important issue to you and your profession. Tell them you want confirmation of their support for a similar bill to HB425 or SB362 next year. Vote for the one who will give you that confirmation.

2. Ask your local representatives to cosponsor the bill and/or commit to getting it out of committee early. Let us know if you have someone in your area that is willing to work with us. Committees will not be appointed till after the November election, so if we talk to all…we can start covering our bases early.

Finally, I would like to take this time to confirm to those of you who are not certified, that we understand your concerns and have worked to incorporate grandfather clauses which will protect you. In addition, there are avenues such as the Accelerated Alternate Delivery Program for those of you who are young to expand your opportunities within the profession by getting certified. In the State of Florida, a requirement to be certified is considered the same as “licensure”. Becoming board certified and licensed can greatly enhance your credibility and your status with the operating room team.

Respectfully submitted

Libby McNaron, Florida State Assembly President

Libby(Mary) McNaron, CST, RN, CNOR, BSN, MSN, MSHRM
Elected Term: August 2011 – August 2013

Please feel free to call or look me up any time that I can be of assistance to you. lmcnaron@gulfcoast.edu,
850-873-3551 or 850-773-8350.