Nominating Committee (Three to be Elected)

Read Candidate Q&A

Joanne D. Muyco, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, is a nurse scientist at Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Houston, Texas; and a Bachelor of Science in nursing, Master of Science in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing practice from The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.

Muyco has been a perioperative nurse for 11 years and a member of AORN for 11 years. She is a member of

• AORN of Greater Houston (2014-present),
• the Texas Council of periOperative Registered Nurses (2022-present),
• the Leadership Specialty Assembly (2020-present),
• the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2022-present), and
• the Nurse Scientist Specialty Assembly (2023-present),

Muyco has attended Congress five times in the past 10 years, two times as a delegate.

Muyco has received

• a Spirit Award from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Cizik School of Nursing (2019);
• a Good Samaritan Foundation Excellence in Nursing Bronze Award (2019, 2023); and
• an Empirical Outcomes Award from Houston Methodist Hospital, Magnet Interprofessional Fair (2021).

Highlights of Muyco’s service to AORN include that she is

• a member of the AORN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Membership Committee (2022-present);
• a member of the Atmospheric Disruptors Member Task Force (2021-present);
• the professional development coordinator for the Nurse Scientist Specialty Assembly (2023-present);
• a member of the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly Education Committee (2022-present);
• a member of the AORN of Greater Houston Board of Directors (2022-present);
• co-chair of the AORN of Greater Houston Mentorship Committee (2021-present); and
• co-chair of the AORN of Greater Houston Education Committee (2021-present).

She has been

• a mentor through the AORN Member Mentor Program (2021-2022),
• a podium speaker at AORN Expo (2022, 2023), and
• a poster presenter at AORN Expo (2019, 2020).

In other leadership roles, Muyco is

• a member of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (2023-present),
• a guest lecturer on perioperative nursing at the University of St. Thomas School of Nursing (2021-present), and
• chair of the Clinical Inquiry Council at Houston Methodist Hospital (2023-present).

She has been

• a manager of the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Operating Room (2018-2022) and
• chair of the Perioperative Council at Houston Methodist Hospital (2017-2021).

In her community, Muyco is

• a participant in and fundraiser for Autism Speaks (2023-present) and
• a participant in and fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (2014-present).

She has been

• a member of the Houston Community College Surgical Technology Program Advisory Committee (2018-2021).

Election Statement

Perioperative nurses are in a prime position to make their mark in health care—we can change the landscape of perioperative nursing through evidence-based practice change, collaboration, engagement, mentorship, and advocacy. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be given the opportunity to make my mark as a candidate for AORN’s Nominating Committee.

I have been a perioperative nurse for over 11 years and have worked in numerous roles from scrub nurse to circulating nurse, clinical educator, and nurse manager. As a nurse scientist, I guide, mentor, and support nurses in identifying ways to improve our clinical practice and promote optimal outcomes. My experiences in AORN have provided me with a deep understanding of the needs of our frontline perioperative nurses. I have had the opportunity to share my knowledge through national presentations and I have advocated for perioperative nurses by serving on committees such as the AORN DEI Membership Committee and the Clinical Nurse Educator and Nurse Scientist Specialty Assemblies. These experiences have allowed me to collaborate and connect with nurses to better understand where we can improve and how we can engage members who will ultimately advance AORN’s mission by becoming the future leaders of the organization.

The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying perioperative leaders who are representative of the voice of the membership and the needs of the greater organization at large. If given the opportunity to serve, I will continue to advocate, collaborate, share, and connect with perioperative nurses to advance our profession forward.