PRESIDENT: Brooke Oliver, M.Ed., CST
Brooke lives in Decatur, IL and graduated from Richland Community College with an AAS degree in Surgical Technology. She earned her BS in Organizational Leadership from Millikin University and her her master's degree in Allied Health Education from Widener University. She has been a Professor of Surgical Technology at Richland Community College since 2010 and became Program Director in June of 2021. Prior to becoming an educator, Brooke was employed at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL in the CVOR. Brooke has served on numerous committees at Richland, including the BETA Committee, Employee Relations and Development Committee, AQIP Strategy Forum team, and is chair of Academic Standards. She has served the ISA as a delegate, Board of Director, Secretary, and Vice President. In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband, eighteen year-old son, and four dogs. Brooke is an avid yogi and enjoys swimming, volleyball, and traveling.
Brooke lives in Decatur, IL and graduated from Richland Community College with an AAS degree in Surgical Technology. She earned her BS in Organizational Leadership from Millikin University and her her master's degree in Allied Health Education from Widener University. She has been a Professor of Surgical Technology at Richland Community College since 2010 and became Program Director in June of 2021. Prior to becoming an educator, Brooke was employed at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL in the CVOR. Brooke has served on numerous committees at Richland, including the BETA Committee, Employee Relations and Development Committee, AQIP Strategy Forum team, and is chair of Academic Standards. She has served the ISA as a delegate, Board of Director, Secretary, and Vice President. In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband, eighteen year-old son, and four dogs. Brooke is an avid yogi and enjoys swimming, volleyball, and traveling.
VICE PRESIDENT: Sonya Conton, CST
Sonya Marie Conton has been a member of AST for 12 years. She has served on the Board of Directors for the ISA, and is chairman for community outreach. Her background includes employment at Hy-Vee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, -Environmental Science and Engineering, and Caterpillar, though the most rewarding job is being mom and raising her children. She is presently employed as a Registered Certified Technologist with Unity Point Health and as an adjunct faculty member with Illinois Central College Health Careers Department instructing classes in surgical technology. Her community service includes memberships in several local and national organizations such as Tri-County Urban League Guild, NAACP, and my church. Acting as Community Outreach Chairman has given her significant insight into the needs and solutions for our community. To help maintain a balance in her life she enjoys reading, learning new hobbies, and traveling. With her children spread throughout the country successfully pursuing their graduate and post graduate career goals she is looking forward to new and varied challenges within the organization, including meeting new people, developing working relationships to meet our goals.
Sonya Marie Conton has been a member of AST for 12 years. She has served on the Board of Directors for the ISA, and is chairman for community outreach. Her background includes employment at Hy-Vee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, -Environmental Science and Engineering, and Caterpillar, though the most rewarding job is being mom and raising her children. She is presently employed as a Registered Certified Technologist with Unity Point Health and as an adjunct faculty member with Illinois Central College Health Careers Department instructing classes in surgical technology. Her community service includes memberships in several local and national organizations such as Tri-County Urban League Guild, NAACP, and my church. Acting as Community Outreach Chairman has given her significant insight into the needs and solutions for our community. To help maintain a balance in her life she enjoys reading, learning new hobbies, and traveling. With her children spread throughout the country successfully pursuing their graduate and post graduate career goals she is looking forward to new and varied challenges within the organization, including meeting new people, developing working relationships to meet our goals.
TREASURER: Jennifer Jordan, CST
Jennifer is from Marion, Illinois. She has been a CST for 12 years, graduating from Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market Surgical Technology Certificate program. She has since continued her education receiving an Associates of Science at John A. Logan College (Carterville, Illinois) in May 2018 and her Bachelors of Science at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, Illinois) in December 2019. She is currently the Surgical Technology Program Director at the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM), in Herrin, Illinois. Jennifer really enjoys teaching and preparing her students for a career as surgical technologists. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She has a husband, two sons and two daughters. Jennifer and her husband are active parents in their children’s lives and enjoy attending all their activities and sporting events. When she is not at a softball game/tournament, she enjoys camping, boating, kayaking, hiking, family cruises or simply having her family together for dinner.
Jennifer is from Marion, Illinois. She has been a CST for 12 years, graduating from Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market Surgical Technology Certificate program. She has since continued her education receiving an Associates of Science at John A. Logan College (Carterville, Illinois) in May 2018 and her Bachelors of Science at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, Illinois) in December 2019. She is currently the Surgical Technology Program Director at the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM), in Herrin, Illinois. Jennifer really enjoys teaching and preparing her students for a career as surgical technologists. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She has a husband, two sons and two daughters. Jennifer and her husband are active parents in their children’s lives and enjoy attending all their activities and sporting events. When she is not at a softball game/tournament, she enjoys camping, boating, kayaking, hiking, family cruises or simply having her family together for dinner.
SECRETARY: Tanisha Bonner, CST, CSFA
Tanisha started her career in the U.S. Army in 2001 as a surgical technologist. She served 6 years in the military and went on to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Biology. While working as a CST, Tanisha also decided to pursue her CSFA. She is currently working on a Master's degree in Mathematics. She has been a part of AST for over 7 years. She has been with ISA for 6 years and has been on the Board of Director, delegate, and served as Secretary. She is currently working as a CST/CSFA at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago and looks forward to serving the members and students as Secretary of the Illinois State Assembly.
Tanisha started her career in the U.S. Army in 2001 as a surgical technologist. She served 6 years in the military and went on to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Biology. While working as a CST, Tanisha also decided to pursue her CSFA. She is currently working on a Master's degree in Mathematics. She has been a part of AST for over 7 years. She has been with ISA for 6 years and has been on the Board of Director, delegate, and served as Secretary. She is currently working as a CST/CSFA at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago and looks forward to serving the members and students as Secretary of the Illinois State Assembly.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Melissa Jensen, CST
Melissa lives in Rockford, Illinois and graduated with honors from the Parkland College Surgical Technology program. She is currently employed at the Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center. She is a mom of two and enjoys sharing her love of surgery with her kids and those around her. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her French Bulldogs, reading, and most of all spending time with family. Melissa is a fairly new CST but is looking forward to being involved with the state assembly. Working in the operating room has always been her dream, and she is excited to have the opportunity of educating others about our profession.
Melissa lives in Rockford, Illinois and graduated with honors from the Parkland College Surgical Technology program. She is currently employed at the Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center. She is a mom of two and enjoys sharing her love of surgery with her kids and those around her. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her French Bulldogs, reading, and most of all spending time with family. Melissa is a fairly new CST but is looking forward to being involved with the state assembly. Working in the operating room has always been her dream, and she is excited to have the opportunity of educating others about our profession.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Kayla Sternbergh, CST
Kayla lives in Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Richland Community College with an AAS in Surgical Technology in 2017. She has been employed at Memorial Medical Center in the CVOR since graduation and absolutely loves it! She is currently being trained to first assist on open heart, thoracic, and vascular procedures, and will soon be harvesting great saphenous vein endoscopically for CABGs. She is currently pursuing her BSN. She hopes to have the credentials of FARN-CST in 5 years. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her daughter and family. She also loves being outside and exploring with her dogs.
Kayla lives in Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Richland Community College with an AAS in Surgical Technology in 2017. She has been employed at Memorial Medical Center in the CVOR since graduation and absolutely loves it! She is currently being trained to first assist on open heart, thoracic, and vascular procedures, and will soon be harvesting great saphenous vein endoscopically for CABGs. She is currently pursuing her BSN. She hopes to have the credentials of FARN-CST in 5 years. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her daughter and family. She also loves being outside and exploring with her dogs.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Bridget Hoffenkamp, CST, BSHS
Bridget lives in Homewood, IL and has been a member of the AST for 16 years. She graduated from the Surgical Technology program at Prairie State College in 2007. She was employed at Ingalls Memorial Hospital for 9 years and enjoyed working with the neuro team there. She joined Prairie State College as an adjunct lab instructor in 2011 and became the program clinical coordinator in 2014. She also taught a sterile processing class in 2017. She then worked as clinical coordinator of the Surgical Technology program at Rasmussen College Romeoville campus. Bridget received her bachelor degree in Health Science in 2017 and is a CPR BLS instructor with the AHA. She is currently the program director of the Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing and Distribution programs at Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL. Bridget enjoys sharing her knowledge of aseptic technique with her students and is eager to help prepare them for their surgical technology/sterile processing career. Being an educator and sharing knowledge in regards to helping save lives and ensuring quality patient care is very fulfilling to her. She has two adult sons with one working at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL and the other attending an HBCU in Columbia, SC where he plays for their baseball team. During her free time, Bridget enjoys traveling, trying cuisines from other cultures, cooking, attending or watching live stand-up comedy, attending or watching Chicago football and baseball games, and most often enjoys relaxing weekends at home. She is excited to give back to the community and the surgical technology profession by serving as an active member of the Illinois State Assembly of the AST.
Bridget lives in Homewood, IL and has been a member of the AST for 16 years. She graduated from the Surgical Technology program at Prairie State College in 2007. She was employed at Ingalls Memorial Hospital for 9 years and enjoyed working with the neuro team there. She joined Prairie State College as an adjunct lab instructor in 2011 and became the program clinical coordinator in 2014. She also taught a sterile processing class in 2017. She then worked as clinical coordinator of the Surgical Technology program at Rasmussen College Romeoville campus. Bridget received her bachelor degree in Health Science in 2017 and is a CPR BLS instructor with the AHA. She is currently the program director of the Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing and Distribution programs at Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL. Bridget enjoys sharing her knowledge of aseptic technique with her students and is eager to help prepare them for their surgical technology/sterile processing career. Being an educator and sharing knowledge in regards to helping save lives and ensuring quality patient care is very fulfilling to her. She has two adult sons with one working at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL and the other attending an HBCU in Columbia, SC where he plays for their baseball team. During her free time, Bridget enjoys traveling, trying cuisines from other cultures, cooking, attending or watching live stand-up comedy, attending or watching Chicago football and baseball games, and most often enjoys relaxing weekends at home. She is excited to give back to the community and the surgical technology profession by serving as an active member of the Illinois State Assembly of the AST.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Emily Gregg, CST
Emily lives in St Joseph, IL and graduated from Parkland community college with an AAS degree in Surgical Technology. She earned her BS in Organizational Professional Development from Eastern Illinois University. She has been employed at Carle Health in Urbana, IL since 2008 and employed as adjunct faculty for Parkland college since 2010. Emily works as a CST, ST/SA Educator and OMFS/ENT service line coordinator at Carle. In her free time, Emily enjoys hunting, canoeing and spending time outdoors with her husband, 3 year old son and her yellow lab.
Emily lives in St Joseph, IL and graduated from Parkland community college with an AAS degree in Surgical Technology. She earned her BS in Organizational Professional Development from Eastern Illinois University. She has been employed at Carle Health in Urbana, IL since 2008 and employed as adjunct faculty for Parkland college since 2010. Emily works as a CST, ST/SA Educator and OMFS/ENT service line coordinator at Carle. In her free time, Emily enjoys hunting, canoeing and spending time outdoors with her husband, 3 year old son and her yellow lab.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Becca Good, CST, CSFA, FAST
After graduating Trinity School of Surgical Technology, Moline, Illinois in 1996, Becca worked for 2
years in the Quad Cities. Her family then moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she began her 20 plus years of volunteer work with the students doing their clinicals. Precepting became a passion for
her. After speaking at the 2012 TN state meeting, she began her path of involvement in the state
assembly. Serving on the Advisory Board to two Nashville colleges was rewarding and gave her great insight to their needs in the clinical setting. In 2015 Becca was honored to be asked to serve on the NBSTSA Exam Review Committee for the CSFA Exam. Over the past 10 years Becca served the Tennessee State Assembly as a BOD 2 terms, Secretary 1 term and Treasurer for 2 terms. In her spare time she enjoys antiquing, thrifting and restoring old furniture. Becca's grandchildren make life fun. Becca is blessed to be momma to 4 awesome adults.
After graduating Trinity School of Surgical Technology, Moline, Illinois in 1996, Becca worked for 2
years in the Quad Cities. Her family then moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she began her 20 plus years of volunteer work with the students doing their clinicals. Precepting became a passion for
her. After speaking at the 2012 TN state meeting, she began her path of involvement in the state
assembly. Serving on the Advisory Board to two Nashville colleges was rewarding and gave her great insight to their needs in the clinical setting. In 2015 Becca was honored to be asked to serve on the NBSTSA Exam Review Committee for the CSFA Exam. Over the past 10 years Becca served the Tennessee State Assembly as a BOD 2 terms, Secretary 1 term and Treasurer for 2 terms. In her spare time she enjoys antiquing, thrifting and restoring old furniture. Becca's grandchildren make life fun. Becca is blessed to be momma to 4 awesome adults.