AORN Expo’s Opening Ceremony Hits the Mark

The 2024 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo in Nashville kicked off with an opening ceremony Saturday that focused on the 75th anniversary of the storied perioperative nursing association and the theme of this year’s event, “Make Your Mark.”

Thousands of periop pros have taken over Nashville for four days of learning, networking and celebration. Expo runs until Tuesday.

The ceremony began as AORN’s board of directors slinked and shimmied their way into the packed auditorium to the sounds of an original song — a tune bolstered by a humorous homemade video with lots of unique dance moves displayed on the giant screens in the background. It ended with keynote speaker Chad E. Foster’s inspiring keynote presentation. The energy never faltered in between.

AORN President Elizabeth Pincus, MSN, MBA, RN, ACNS-BC, CNS-CP, CNO, opened the conference by welcoming attendees to the event and proved to be a formidable MC, mixing heartfelt gratitude with well-timed quips. Ms. Pincus thanked attendees in every area of AORN, shouted-out all active and veteran military AORN members in attendance and welcomed this year’s platinum sponsors -- Johnson & Johnson Medtech and Stryker.

Ms. Pincus also presented this year’s President’s Award to her boyfriend Adel Benatmane. The demanding role of AORN president, says Ms. Pincus, requires a constant juggling of commitments to AORN, your job and your family. “Without this person, I could never have survived this past year,” says Ms. Pincus.

The conference’s opening day ended with Mr. Foster’s keynote. The motivational speaker, author and sales-finance leader explained to attendees how losing his eyesight in his early 20s forced him to rethink and relearn everything. His talk, which alternated between inspirational anecdotes and self-deprecating one-liners, included Mr. Foster telling attendees that seemingly unsurmountable challenges can be conquered with a change of perspective and by telling yourself different stories. As he put it, ““Happiness is a decision you make every day when you wake up.” OSM