Association of Surgical Technologists

Arkansas State Assembly

Association of Surgical Technologists
Association of Surgical Technologists

October 4, 2025

Title:
Harvesting Credits: Reap Knowledge and Refine Skills
CE Credits:
6


Event:
Annual Business Meeting
Location:
Center for Economic Development-University of Arkansas Fort Smith (Bakery District)
70 S 7th St, Suite D
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Contact:
Tamara Morgan
479-414-6720, [email protected]

Online Registration - https://ar.ast.org



SAVE THE DATE:
2025 Fall Workshop and Business Meeting 
October 4, 2025
Fort Smith, AR



Highlights from the 2025 Spring Workshop


Spring Workshop Board Pic

ARSA Board honored the memory of past AST President, Kevin Craycraft, who passed away on March 3, 2025, by wearing bow tie pins specially made by Treasurer Cindy Lewis.  Kevin was recognizable by his bow tie and his smile. 


Cindy and Rachel
ARSA Treasurer Cindy Lewis and ARSA Secretary Rachel Clark collaborated to provide background information on the registration process through the Arkansas State Medical Board and emphasized the importance of registration.

Scholarship winners 2025
The winners of the 2025 Daniel Castleberry Memorial Scholarship were Drew Logsdon (UA-Fort Smith) and Sydney Stephenson (UA-Fort Smith).

  The winner of our spa day raffle was Debbie Adair. 


Our supported local charity for the 2025 spring workshop was the Jackson House in Hot Springs, AR.
Assistant Director of the Jackson House, Tammy Jones, expressed her gratitude for everything that was donated by our ARSA Board, members, and students. 

Spring 2025 (Jackson House)                                Spring 2025 (Jackson House 2)




 

Highlights from the 2024 Fall Workshop and Business Meeting

Following the elections at our 2024 business meeting in Ft. Smith, a new secretary (Rachel Clark) and three new directors (Ashley Jones, Debra Morgan, & Angela Smith) were voted onto the Arkansas State Assembly of Surgical Technologists Board. 

Fall, 2024 Workshop (Photo 1)
2024-2025 ARSA Board 
Front Row (left to right): Secretary Rachel Clark, Treasurer Cynthia Lewis, Vice President Tammy Schaefer, President Tamara Morgan 
Back row (left to right): Director Debra Morgan, Director Kacie Denham, Director Ashley Jones, Director Angela Smith

Fall, 2024 Workshop (Photo 2)
The ARSA Board was privileged to host Peggy  Varnado, Vice President of the AST National Board, at our workshop & business meeting. 

Fall, 2024 Workshop (Photo 3)
The ARSA Board presented Nicole Walton, the founder of Monarch 61, with donations from our fall workshop.

Fall, 2024 Workshop (Photo 4)
Leftover food from the workshop was donated to the Ft. Smith Ronald McDonald House. Carolyn Allen, of RMH, accepted the donated food from Treasurer Cynthia Lewis 

Fall, 2024 Workshop (Photo 5)
Angela Smith won the prize from the raffle that benefits the ARSA Daniel Castleberry Memorial Scholarship Fund. 


Highlights from the 2024 AST National Conference
 
The ARSA Delegates for the 2024 AST National Conference in Denver, CO
In the picture: The ARSA Delegates for the 2024 AST National Conference in Denver, CO included (from left) Treasurer Cindy Lewis, CST, FAST, SA-C, ST-R; Secretary Kendra Thompson, CST, FAST, ST-R; President Tamara Morgan, CST, FAST, ST-R; Vice President Tammy Schaefer, CST, CSFA, FAST, ST-R.
 
ARSA attended the 54th Annual AST National Conference held in Denver, CO in late May. We sent four delegates to the conference.
 
President Tamara Morgan presents the gift card donation to AST.
In the picture: President Tamara Morgan presents the gift card donation to AST.
Kendra Thompson (left) and Tamara Morgan (right) became the newest ARSA members to receive the FAST title.
In the picture: Kendra Thompson (left) and Tamara Morgan (right) became the newest ARSA members to receive the FAST title.
 

ARSA contributed gift cards to the AST 2024 Conference Charity for the Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, CO. The gift cards will be used as part of the outreach partnership with AST for the military families that are stationed at Base. From ARSA to you, thank you for your service.

Tamara Morgan and Kendra Thompson became the newest ARSA members to receive the FAST title. The FELLOW OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS (FAST) designation is awarded to recognize those individuals who have upheld the highest professional, ethical and moral standards and traditions of the surgical technology profession, and whose professional activity has been devoted to the advancement of the profession toward improving the quality of surgical patient care.
 
ARSA FAST members attending the 2024 FAST reception in Denver, CO
In the picture: ARSA FAST members attending the 2024 FAST reception included (from left) Tamara Morgan, Cindy Lewis, Tammy Schaefer, and Kendra Thompson.
 
The eight ARSA members that hold the title FAST and the year awarded, Rachel Clark (2011), Katie Bishop (2015), Ashley Smith (2019), Deb Adair (2019), Cindy Lewis (2020), Tammy Schaefer (2023), Tamara Morgan (2024), and Kendra Thompson (2024).
 

Highlights from the 2024 Spring Workshop
 
The ARSA Board is shown with items that were donated to the event charity, the Dorcas House in Little Rock.
In the picture: The ARSA Board is shown with items that were donated to the event charity, the Dorcas House in Little Rock.
 
The Arkansas State Assembly (ARSA) held its Spring, 2024 workshop at the CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Main Auditorium in Little Rock on April 27th. There were a variety of topics presented including congenital hip dysplasia surgery, latissimus flap reconstruction, interventional management of chronic pain, everything endoscopic, and organ, tissue, and eye procurement. Toward the end of the workshop, there was a fascinating presentation (by the Sherwood Police Department) involving measures to take in the operating room when there is an active shooter (using a real case at a local hospital in 2022).
 
Some of the Dorcas House residents are pictured accepting donations from ARSA Treasurer Cindy Lewis (far left) and Director Kacie Denham (third from right).
In the picture: Some of the Dorcas House residents are pictured accepting donations from ARSA Treasurer Cindy Lewis (far left) and Director Kacie Denham (third from right).
 
The workshop not only benefitted attendees, it also provided much needed items to the Dorcas House, our event local charity. This is a division of the Union Mission, and provides emergency services, food, shelter, clothing and crisis intervention to more than 400 women and children annually.
 
 
Recipients of the 2024 ARSA Daniel Castleberry Memorial Student Scholarships were (from left) Aimee McGee (Baptist Health College in Little Rock), Nathaly Artero (University of Arkansas-Fort Smith), and Amanda Ensminger (Baptist Health College in Little Rock).
In the picture: Recipients of the 2024 ARSA Daniel Castleberry Memorial Student Scholarships were (from left) Aimee McGee (Baptist Health College in Little Rock), Nathaly Artero (University of Arkansas-Fort Smith), and Amanda Ensminger (Baptist Health College in Little Rock).
 
Three ARSA Daniel Castleberry Memorial Student Scholarships were awarded during the event. The recipients of the scholarships were Aimee McGee (Baptist Health College in Little Rock), Nathaly Artero (University of Arkansas-Fort Smith), and Amanda Ensminger (Baptist Health College in Little Rock). Congratulations ladies!
 
Jackie Kenner was the winner of the event raffle. A huge thank you to all of the speakers at the workshop. Not only did they share their time and knowledge, but each speaker donated items that were made into a large gifted duffel bag. This basket/duffel bag was raffled off with all proceeds benefiting the ARSA Daniel Castleberry Memorial Scholarship Fund. Jackie Kenner was the lucky holder of the winning ticket.
In the picture: Jackie Kenner was the winner of the event raffle.