Guidelines Workshops

Sarah L. Griffin, BSN, RN, CNOR

Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Management

Sarah Griffin serves as the Perioperative Clinical Coordinator at Boston Children's Hospital, where she guides a team of 45 direct reports, overseeing daily ambulatory surgery clinical and administrative operations.

Karen White-Edwards, MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives of the Year Award

Karen Edwards (White), BSN, RN, MBA, CNOR, is a high-performing, strategic-thinking professional with more than 14 years’ experience in the management of Perioperative Services.

Doreen Wagner PhD RN, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN

Outstanding Volunteer Leadership

Dr. Doreen Wagner is a Professor, Nurse Scientist, and the Assistant Director of Research and Scholarship at the Kennesaw State University, WellStar School of Nursing, in Kennesaw, Georgia, where she has taught nursing students for over 16 years.

Nancy Do, BSN, RN

Rising Star Award

Nancy Do, BSN, RN, stands as a trailblazer in her family, achieving the significant milestone of becoming the first-generation college student by earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northeastern University in August 2022.

Ashish Mathur, Ph.D

VP Innovation & Technology

David A. Wyatt

PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN, CEO/Executive Director

Wyatt served as AORN President, 2020-2021. He led the Board of Directors & staff to respond to the COVID19 pandemic & initiated the Comprehensive DEI plan. In 2015 he received the AORN Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing.

Sharon Ann Van Wicklin

PhD, RN, CNOR, CRNFA(E), CPSN-R, PLNC, ISPAN-F, FAORN, FAAN

Van Wicklin’s exhaustive collection of scholarly work as an author, researcher, and presenter reflects her ongoing contribution to conducting perioperative research and translating research findings into recommendations for evidence-based practice.

Christopher Stucky

PhD, RN, CNOR, CSSM, CNAMB, NEA-BC, FAORN, FAAN

Stucky is internationally renowned for his innovative and comprehensive perioperative research portfolio to improve surgical care quality and safety and for extensive advocacy supporting the growth and excellence of the perioperative nursing profession..

Kenneth Romito

DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CNOR, CSSM, FAORN

As an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist with a specialty preparation in perioperative nursing, Romito is committed to advancing patient advocacy and improved outcomes through evidence-based practice and nursing professionalism.

Cassendra A. Munro

PhD, BS, RN, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN

Munro has been a perioperative nurse for over 26 years and is a practice expert with emphasis on pressure injury prevention. She is a Nurse Scientist at Stanford Health Care, CA. She also received the 2023 AORN Excellence in Periop Nursing Award.

Brenda G. Larkin

MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CNS-CP, CSSM, CNOR, FAORN

Brenda is an accomplished Clinical Nurse Specialist with over 20 years of advanced practice experience. She has led evidence-based practice improvement projects in health systems, which have improved patient outcomes and perioperative nursing practice.

Larry L. Asplin

MSN, RN, CSSM(E), CNOR(E), FAORN

Asplin received the top 100 Distinguished Nursing Alumni awards for his local & national involvement with perioperative patient safety. He received the 2023 AORN Outstanding Volunteer Award & is the President of the AORN Foundation.

Holly S. Ervine

MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CNOR, FAORN

Ervine’s passion for perioperative nursing & AORN is evidenced by her advocacy, education and leadership. She is an educator at her core & has invested a portion of her nursing career in the professional development of other nurses, educators and leaders.

Donna J. Doyle

DNP, RN, CNOR, NE-BC, FAORN

Doyle’s leadership impact, as an author, researcher, and extensive lecturer, in mentoring, recruitment, retention, and succession planning, is foundational for global mentorship and academic partnership development.

J.D. Buchert, MSN, M.Ed., MS, RN, CNOR, CPHQ

Board Member

J.D. Buchert is a Workforce Safety Manager at Parkland Health, Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Travis Reece-Nguyen, MD, MPH, FAAP

Medical Director | Gender Recognition and Affirmative Care through Education (GRACE) Team

Rani Morrison Williams, MS, MSW, LCSW, FACHE, CDE

Chief Diversity and Community Health Equity Officer, UI Health

Ms. Williams currently serves as the first Chief Diversity and Community Health Equity Officer at University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System (UI Health) leading efforts towards improving diversity, inclusion, and health.

Paula M. Neira JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN

Motivational Speaker

Paula M. Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN, is the Johns Hopkins Medicine Program Director of LGBTQ+ Equity and Education in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity.

NaKeisha “Nikki” D. Washington, MSN, MBA, RN, CNOR

Director of Surgical Services, St. Joseph’s Medical Center

NaKeisha “Nikki” D. Washington, MSN, MBA, RN, CNOR is a Director of Surgical Services at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, CA.

Dr. Joanne Muyco DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNOR

Perioperative Registered Nurse

Dr. Joanne Muyco is a perioperative registered nurse with over 10 years of nursing experience.