2026 Spring Seminar

KSU Center
3333 Busbee Drive Northwest
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 7:00am ET - 4:30pm ET

Posted by Georgia Council of AORN

3333 Busbee Drive Northwest, Kennesaw, GA 30144

Info

Topic

BEE-Lieve in Your Impact: Empowering nurses to recognize their influence on patient care and the profession

Credits Offered

This event offers 6.0 CNE credits to attendees.
Accreditation Info: Wellstar Health System.

Attachments
Additional Information

This full day seminar offers a great variety of speakers from all over the U.S. We hope you will join us!

Speakers

Stella Yau
Stella Yau MSN, RN, CNOR
Jamie Ridout
Jamie Ridout MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, CASC

System Vice President, Perioperative Nursing Practice

System vice president for perioperative nursing practice and Central Sterile at Geisinger Health System, Central, North Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania. She earned a BSN from West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia; an MSN from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; and an MBA from Elon University, Elon, North Carolina. Ridout has been a perioperative nurse for 33 years and a member of AORN for 33 years. She is a member of Capital North Carolina (2018-present) the North Carolina Council of Operating Room Nurses (2016-present) the Ambulatory Surgery Specialty Assembly (2016-present) the Leadership Specialty Assembly (2016 present) the Perioperative Nursing Informatics Specialty Assembly (2016-present) the Sterile Processing/Supply Chain Management Specialty Assembly (2016 present) Ridout has attended AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 10 times in the past 10 years, each time as a delegate. Ridout has received North Carolina Council of Operating Room Nurses Perioperative Nurse of the Year (2017) Highlights of Ridout’s service to AORN include that she is Vice President of AORN (2024-present) a member of the Perioperative Explications for the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements Committee (2025 present) a member of the Finance and Audit Committee (2024-present) a member of the Compliance Committee (2022-present) chair of the Board Chapter Visits Committee (2025-present) PRESIDENT-ELECT (ONE TO BE ELECTED) She has been a member of the Nominating Committee (2018-2020) Secretary of AORN (2022-2024) a member of the Felowship Selection Committee (2023-2024) a member of the AORN Values Committee (2022-2024) a member of the Jerry G. Peers Committee (2023-2024) In other leadership roles, Ridout is a member of the Cardinal Advisory Board (2024-present) She has been president of the North Carolina Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (NCASCA; 2021 2024) a member of the NCASCA Board of Directors (2017-2022) ELECTION STATEMENT education chair of the NCASCA (2017-2022) responsible for assisting her former ASC become the #1 Ambulatory Surgery Center in North Carolina as recognized by Newsweek (2021-2023) In her community, Ridout is a volunteer for TABLE NC, North Carolina (2024-present) a volunteer for Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (2023-present) She has been a volunteer for Texas Health Action Kind Clinic (2023) a volunteer for Wildflower Lane Farm, North Carolina (2024) a volunteer for Strings for Hope, Tennessee (2024) AORN is more than an organization. It’s a community built by perioperative nurses who care for the future of our profession and patient safety. AORN has always been a guiding light, offering resources, education, advocacy and connection. This spirit of service—members supporting members—has sustained AORN for decades, and it’s this same spirit that wi l carry us into the future. As a multigenerational community, each member contributes unique insights. Veteran nurses offer wisdom born of experience; our newest members bring fresh ideas and energy. As your President, I’m committed to fostering a culture where a l members feel valued, where ideas are welcomed, and where differences become a source of innovation rather than division. Beyond budgets and policies, serving is about heart. I am, first and always, a perioperative nurse. Throughout my 33 years in perioperative nursing, I’ve had the privilege of standing shoulder to shoulder with coleagues, facing the daily chalenges of patient care and celebrating the triumphs that come with teamwork and passion. I know the pride that comes with mentoring a new nurse, the exhaustion that comes with staffing shortages, and the resilience it takes to return the next day and give everything again. Looking ahead, our task isn’t only to meet today’s chalenges but to envision a stronger tomorrow. As your President, I’ l affirm AORN is an organization where perioperative nurses feel connected, supported, and empowered. I want members to have resources at their fingertips, mentorship opportunities that inspire growth, and a sense of belonging that reminds them they are part of something larger than themselves. I want chapters to thrive as places of community and innovation. I’m excited about the future of AORN and energized by the vision of what we can achieve together. I pledge to keep you—the members—at the heart of every decision. AORN isn’t about me, or even about the Board. It’s about you. It’s about us. It’s about our profession. I ask for your support and your vote, not simply to hold a title, but to continue to carry forward a mission that I deeply believe in, to serve and represent you, and walk beside you as we build the future of perioperative nursing. Let’s step into the future with confidence. Let’s lift each other up, share our knowledge, and build a stronger profession. My name is Jamie Ridout. It’d be my honor to serve as your next President.

Cassendra A Munro
Cassendra A Munro PhD, BS, RN, RNFA, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN

Stanford Health Care, Office of Research, Patient Care Services

Expert in perioperative practice with over fifteen years of clinical research experience as primary investigator using innovative methodologies and multi-site studies. Has a Doctor of Philosophy - PhD focused in Nursing from Azusa Pacific University. Clinical scholarship activities directed toward global impact and novel solutions for prevention of pressure injuries. Experienced nurse leader with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry. Previously managed patient satisfaction in Care Experience, the Magnet Journey to nursing recognition, and caregiver Professional Practice. Currently, a Nurse Scientist at Stanford Healthcare and Perioperative Practice Expert at Munro Consulting. Skilled in Public Speaking, Healthcare Management, Healthcare, Leadership, Clinical Research, and Nursing.

James "Jay" Bowers BSN, RN, CNOR, TNCC
Teshieka Curtis-Pugh
Teshieka Curtis-Pugh MSN, RN, CMSRN, RN-BC, NPD, CRRN

Executive Director| Public and Motivational Speaker|Nurse Leader

Experienced Nursing Executive with a demonstrated history of successful outcomes in the hospital & health care industry. Skilled in Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Adult Education, Hospitals, Healthcare, Staff Training and Nursing Leadership. Strong professional with a MSN,Ed. Certified in Medical Surgical Specialties, Rehabiltation Nursing, and Nursing Professional Development. State and Regionally recognized as a motivational speaker and nursing advocate.

Register For This Event

2026 Spring Seminar Registration

Registration includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

$75.00