AccredX 2026 Speakers

Chris Belvins, BS, AAS-ST, CST, FAST

We’re All in This Together: Strengthen Your Program Through Institutional and Community Support

Discover how to effectively harness the support of administration, sponsors, PACs, and Communities of Interest to improve the strength of your program and secure resources.

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Ron Kruzel, MA, CAE, CST, FAST

ARC in Action: Continuous Improvements to Better Support Educators and Programs

Join ARC/STSA staff as they share information on accreditation process improvements, outreach initiatives, collaboration with partners and expanded educational opportunities.

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Melanie Graves, MBA, AAS, CST

Curriculum Mapping with Purpose: Aligning Objectives, Syllabi, and Student Success

Learn how to effectively connect curriculum standards to classroom instruction and clinical application while maintaining consistency across courses and instructors.

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Kristy Pierce, BS, CST

ARC in Action: Continuous Improvements to Better Support Educators and Programs

Join ARC/STSA staff as they share information on accreditation process improvements, outreach initiatives, collaboration with partners and expanded educational opportunities.

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Matthew LaPorta, DO, FACS

Accreditation Advocacy with the ACS: Strengthening the Voice of Accreditation with the American College of Surgeons

Learn about the Committee on Interprofessional Education and Practice’s current work and the ACS's efforts to advocate for surgical technologists and surgical assistants.

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Mona Bourbonnais, MSc, BSEd, CST, FAST

Technical Standards, Accessibility and Accommodations: The What, Why and How

Examine reasonable accommodations in higher education and learn how to develop Essential Functions, Qualifications, and Technical Standards that support both student success and the entry-level requirements of surgical technology and surgical assisting careers.

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Alicia Buck, MS, BAAS, CST

The Clinical Continuum: Bringing the Community and Classroom Together

Explore ways to build strategic alliances that support the community, the hospital, and your educational program.

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Krista M. Vylasek, MHS, CST

Skills Are Just the Start: Professionalism & Accountability in the OR

Learn how to utilize different behavior-based tools to effectively prepare students for professionalism and accountability in the OR.

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Kathie-Ann P. Joseph, MD, MPH, FACS

Accreditation Advocacy with the ACS: Strengthening the Voice of Accreditation with the American College of Surgeons

Learn about the Committee on Interprofessional Education and Practice’s current work and the ACS's efforts to advocate for surgical technologists and surgical assistants.

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Crystal Shea, BA, CST

Compliance Is a Byproduct. Culture Is the Work.

Explore how intentional relationship-building with internal and external constitutes can help create a program culture that produces continuous improvement and accreditation readiness.

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Christy Baily-Byers, MBA, APR

ARC in Action: Continuous Improvements to Better Support Educators and Programs

Join ARC/STSA staff as they share information on accreditation process improvements, outreach initiatives, collaboration with partners and expanded educational opportunities.

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Jamey Watson, BAS, CST, FAST

The Clinical Continuum: Bringing the Community and Classroom Together

Delve into ways to develop strategic alliances to support the community, hospital, and your educational program.

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Pre-Conference Workshop Speakers

Kristie Cole, EdD(c), M.Ed., BAS, CST, FAST

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Paul Landsman, AAS, BAS, CST

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Gabrielle Muzina, AS, CST

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Christy Baily-Byers, MBA, APR

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Ron Kruzel, MA, CAE, CST, FAST

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Kristy Pierce, BS, CST

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Jamey Watson, BAS, CST, FAST

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Jerad Claytor, MSHE, CST

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Shea Coleman, CST, BS, FAST

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Alicia Buck, MS, BAAS, CST

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Melanie Graves, MBA, AAS, CST

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