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IAHCSMM
Welcomes Natalie Lind as Educational Director
The
IAHCSMM Executive Board is pleased to announce it has named Natalie
Lind, CRCST, CHL, as the Association's educational director. Lind, a
25-year Central Service veteran and seasoned educator of 11 years, is
aptly prepared to assume the newly created position.
Her experience in the field is extensive, having served as a technician, department manager, professional educator, consultant and author. Lind has taught CS techniques at numerous conferences and workshops throughout the United States, and has even partnered with facilities in Russia and Saudi Arabia to provide valuable sterile processing training. Her travels to healthcare systems throughout the U.S. as a part of speaking and writing tours has given her broad exposure to different types of materials management systems, and has enhanced her ability to assess systems and work with a wide variety of people in unique settings.
Lind's ongoing passion for the profession has spurred an impressive career: She currently manages the Central Processing Department for Saint Cloud Hospital in Saint Cloud, MN; publishes e-CSPD, an online education portal for sterile processing professionals; authors articles for numerous publications; and operates Lind Consulting Services in Sauk Rapids, MN.
Her contributions and accomplishments with IAHCSMM are equally impressive. Lind earned the International CS Educator of the Year Award in 1993 and 2000, the Excellence in Technical Education Award in 1993 and IAHCSMM's President's Award in 1994, 1995 and 2003. She is a charter member and past-president of IAHCSMM's Northern Lights Chapter and currently authors Communiqué's Technician Exchange column.
So how does Lind feel about adding yet another title to her already long list? "I'm absolutely thrilled to have been given this unique opportunity," she said. "I am honored to be part of IAHCSMM and able to serve in such an important role."
Identifying
Goals
Those who know Lind may not be surprised to learn that when it comes to her
imminent and future goals as the Association's Educational Director, her wheels
are already spinning.
Although specific timelines and agendas have yet been officially determined, she is hoping to focus her attention on several key areas, including:
- Working on accreditation and developing partnerships with technical and community colleges to facilitate the development of CS programs. Lind has significant experience in this area, having designed, developed and implemented curriculum for a 31-semester credit CSMM program at Northwest Technical College in East Grand Forks, MN (she obtained international, state and NCA accreditation for the program). She also developed and implemented a satellite CSMM program for Northwest Technical College in Moorhead, MN;
- Fostering more effective partnerships and information-sharing initiatives between other key industry organizations, including the Association of Surgical Technologists, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, among others.
- Promoting and encouraging the value of certification for CS technicians. Lind, who has served as Program Director for Minnesota State College and University System, and Mentor Instructor at Northwest Technical College, is hoping to create a network or mentoring program whereby technicians can ask questions, share concerns and obtain valuable feedback from those who are already certified.
"I believe each of these is extremely important to the success of the CS profession," she said, adding that whichever endeavors she embarks upon first, IAHCSMM members can be confident in knowing they will center on enhancing professional knowledge and career growth, and promoting the value of the profession.
"The
Executive Board and I will be collaborating on focus areas and continually
working on ways to strengthen educational development within the profession.
Although we are just embarking on this process, we're confident that
the future will hold many exciting opportunities for IAHCSMM members."
