Board of Directors (Three to be Elected)

Read Candidate Q&A

Rebecca K. Vortman, DNP, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, Associate Editor for AORN’s The Stitch, and a perioperative education consultant for AORN. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Illinois College, Jacksonville; an associate degree in nursing from Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, Illinois; a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Master of Science in nursing from Benedictine University, Springfield, Illinois; and a Doctor of Nursing practice-nursing administration from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Vortman has been a perioperative nurse for 12 years and a member of AORN for 11 years. She is a member of

• AORN of Central Illinois (2014-present),
• eChapter (2021-present),
• the Illinois Council of Perioperative Registered Nurses (2019-present),
• the Leadership Specialty Assembly (2014-present),
• the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2016-present), and
• the Ambulatory Surgery Specialty Assembly (2017-present).

Vortman has attended Congress seven times in the past 10 years, each time as a delegate.

Vortman has received

• a Young Professional Voice Award, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (2022);
• an AORN Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education Award (2021);
• an AORN Forty Under 40 Award (2017);
• an AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo Clinical Innovation poster award (2019); and
• an Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Award (2020).

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

• a member of the Board of Directors (2022-present),
• Board liaison to the AORN National Research Committee (2022-present),
• Board liaison to the AORN Nursing Clinical Practice Committee (2023-present),
• Board liaison to the Sterile Processing/Supply Chain Management Specialty Assembly (2023-present), and
• a member of the eChapter Board of Directors (2022-present).

She has been

• a member of the Taskforce to Define the Role of the DNP in Perioperative Services (2020-2021),
• a member of the AORN National Research Committee (2021-2022),
• chair of the Leadership Specialty Assembly Education Council (2019-2021), and
• president of AORN of Central Illinois (2016-2017).

In other leadership roles, Vortman is

• the associate department head for the Department of Population Health Nursing Science, University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing (2022-present);
• an executive member of the Canadian Standards Association Perioperative Safety Technical Committee (2023-present);
• a member of the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing DNP Curriculum Revision Committee (2023-present); and
• a member of the University of Illinois Chicago Advisory and Search Committee (2019-present).

She has been

• co-leader of Illinois-based grassroots coalition for passage of surgical smoke plume evacuation legislation (2020-2021).

In her community, Vortman has been

• a volunteer for COVID-19 symptom screening, Our Savior’s Lutheran School, Springfield, Illinois (2020);
• a volunteer for “Hands on Healthcare” perioperative nursing career day for high school students, Springfield, Illinois (2018); and
• a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran School Sports Boosters Board of Directors, Springfield, Illinois (2021-2022).

Election Statement

Advocacy drives change—it’s the heartbeat of our profession and the essence of AORN. As perioperative nurses, we hold the power to reshape the status quo, and we have the voices to uplift the members.

I believe in the strength of our collective voice. Two years ago, I stood at the mic urging for chapter rebates, challenging the norm to give back to our membership. We need more advocacy—nurses speaking up, driving progress, shaping the future.

Your engagement at the grassroots level is one of AORN’s greatest strengths. You are catalysts for change, and I’m here to listen and amplify your voice. As an AORN Board member, I’ve been committed to focusing on membership growth, engagement, and nurse advocacy. I’ll continue championing our community, securing growth despite challenges.

My goal and promise to you is clear. I will make it my priority for every perioperative nurse to become an AORN member, and every member passionately promote and engage in our profession, leveraging opportunities like artificial intelligence (AI) in our workplaces. Envision AI advancing care. Let’s lead, securing our profession’s future at AORN and health care’s forefront.

Advocacy isn’t just a word; it’s the foundation of our influence. Advocacy gives our voices the ability to influence care. Let’s seize the moment to redefine patient care, elevate practice, and strengthen AORN. You are the power of perioperative nursing, and the heartbeat of AORN. I humbly ask for your vote, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving you.