AORN Holds Town Hall and Special Business Meeting

AORN members approved two position statements during the Virtual Town Hall and Special Business meeting held February 19, 2025.

The 278 members participating in the live virtual meeting learned about and voted to approve the AORN Position Statements on:

• Managing Disruptions, Distractions, and Noise During Perioperative Patient Care
• Environmental Responsibility

The new and updated position statements are posted.

President Nakeisha Tolliver, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, CSSM, started the meeting with a heartful thank you to outgoing AORN CEO/Executive Director Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN, highlighting Ms. Groah’s immeasurable contributions to perioperative practice and patient safety during her 18-year tenure at AORN.

President Tolliver then welcomed AORN’s new CEO/Executive Director David Wyatt, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN. Dr. Wyatt shared his extensive involvement in AORN chapters, committees, board and leadership over the past 30 years, and his experience as the elected President of AORN during the COVID pandemic in 2020. Dr. Wyatt shared his excitement, honor and commitment to building on the legacy of Linda Groah to lead AORN in the coming years.

Chamberlain University’s Danika Bowen then presented the university’s Specialty Focused® Nurse Education Model and the great success it has had in providing education and specialty training for student nurses in the perioperative specialty. Nurses and educators interested in more information about Chamberlain’s perioperative-focused education opportunities can review more information and contact Chamberlain or contact AORN’s Nursing Education department.

Town Hall attendees also learned about all the continuing education and professional networking opportunities at the upcoming AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2025 in Boston starting April 5. This year’s theme – Together we Rise – is a promise to support and uplift one another, to celebrate our successes, and navigate our challenges. United by a common purpose, nurses can overcome adversity, emerging stronger as a cohesive team.

Members then heard from AORN Past President Holly Ervine, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, FAORN, who is leading AORN’s chapter engagement task force. Ms. Ervine encouraged members to take a survey to help AORN learn what members need and want in connection with their chapter and local professional needs. The survey will be live through Expo and closes on April 14. The survey was sent to all members and is available here if you have not yet provided your feedback.

AORN nursing practice staff Zach Swartz, MHI, BSN, RN, EBP-C, CNOR, presented recent updates to the AORN position statement on Environmental Responsibility.  Mr. Swartz reiterated AORN’s belief in prioritizing sustainability during all processes of construction, including design, construction, maintenance and renovation. Mr. Swartz reminded members of the need to be proactive to minimize impact on the patients and communities we serve. Members voted overwhelmingly to approve the position statement.

Next, members then heard from AORN nursing practice staff Renae Wright, DNP, RN, NI-BC, CNOR, on recent updates to AORN’s position statement on Managing Disruptions, Distractions and Noise during Perioperative Patient Care. The updated position statement adds music volume as a type of distraction, and notes that personal electronic device use should be limited to clinical applications, recognizing that these devices can contribute positively to patient care when used appropriately, but can also serve as a source of distraction. Members again voted overwhelmingly to approve the position statement.

President Tolliver reminded attendees of the importance of voting for their elected leaders and expressed her excitement at seeing everyone soon in Boston at Expo 2025.

 If you missed it, you can watch the February 19, 2025 Town Hall here.