PRESIDENT: Janice Lovekamp
Janice lives in Decatur, IL. She graduated from Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, NE in 1994 with an AAS Degree in Surgical Technology and with a BS in Workforce Education and Development from SIU Carbondale in 2013. Janice has been a member of AST and a CST since 1994 and a CSFA since 2006 and was recently named a Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists (FAST). Janice is the Surgical Technology Program Director at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL and also is PRN at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, IL. She has been active in the profession by serving as a Technical Reviewer for AST's textbook Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist: A Positive Care Approach, is an accreditation site visitor for the ARC/STSA and has presented at the AST National Conference. Janice has served as a delegate, served on numerous committees, two terms as a Board of Director and is serving her second term as President for the ISA.
Janice lives in Decatur, IL. She graduated from Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, NE in 1994 with an AAS Degree in Surgical Technology and with a BS in Workforce Education and Development from SIU Carbondale in 2013. Janice has been a member of AST and a CST since 1994 and a CSFA since 2006 and was recently named a Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists (FAST). Janice is the Surgical Technology Program Director at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL and also is PRN at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, IL. She has been active in the profession by serving as a Technical Reviewer for AST's textbook Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist: A Positive Care Approach, is an accreditation site visitor for the ARC/STSA and has presented at the AST National Conference. Janice has served as a delegate, served on numerous committees, two terms as a Board of Director and is serving her second term as President for the ISA.
VICE-PRESIDENT: Stacie Chaney
Stacie lives in Park Forest, IL. She has been a CST for going on three years. Stacie works at the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Mokena, IL and at Prairie State College as a Clinical Evaluator. Stacie also serves on the Exam Review Committee for the NBSTSA. Stacie was recently appointed to the AST Bylaws, Resolutions and Parliamentary Procedures Committee for a 2 year term. You might say "Wow" that's a lot of involvement, but Stacie would say she is still looking for more. She loves this profession and makes it a point to try and get others involved as well. When she was a student, she went to the AST National Conference not knowing anyone. She wanted to get involved even as a student so she ran for a national student officer position and was elected Secretary. Here is a little known fact about Stacie: She used to be a Sheriff and worked at the Cook County Jail for ten years before going to school to be a Surgical Technologist. Stacie has served the ISA for two terms as Treasurer and as a delegate to the AST National Conference.
Stacie lives in Park Forest, IL. She has been a CST for going on three years. Stacie works at the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Mokena, IL and at Prairie State College as a Clinical Evaluator. Stacie also serves on the Exam Review Committee for the NBSTSA. Stacie was recently appointed to the AST Bylaws, Resolutions and Parliamentary Procedures Committee for a 2 year term. You might say "Wow" that's a lot of involvement, but Stacie would say she is still looking for more. She loves this profession and makes it a point to try and get others involved as well. When she was a student, she went to the AST National Conference not knowing anyone. She wanted to get involved even as a student so she ran for a national student officer position and was elected Secretary. Here is a little known fact about Stacie: She used to be a Sheriff and worked at the Cook County Jail for ten years before going to school to be a Surgical Technologist. Stacie has served the ISA for two terms as Treasurer and as a delegate to the AST National Conference.
TREASURER: Chante Yearby
Chante lives in Romeoville, IL and graduated from Bryman College in Phoenix, AZ with an AAS Degree in Surgical Technology in 2001 and relocated to the Chicago area in 2004. She has earned a BS degree in Psychology from Lewis University and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governor's University in Salt Lake City. Chante is employed at Rasmussen College as a Program Director and previously was at Advocate Healthcare and Adventist Hinsdale Hospital within the orthopedic and neurosurgery specialties. She has served as a preceptor for students and as a member and chair of the OR's Unit Based Council. In the spirit of giving back to the profession, Chante has served as a delegate and currently serves as a member of the National Examination Review Committee for the NBSTSA. She has served the ISA as a delegate, Board of Director and is currently in her first term as the Treasurer.
Chante lives in Romeoville, IL and graduated from Bryman College in Phoenix, AZ with an AAS Degree in Surgical Technology in 2001 and relocated to the Chicago area in 2004. She has earned a BS degree in Psychology from Lewis University and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governor's University in Salt Lake City. Chante is employed at Rasmussen College as a Program Director and previously was at Advocate Healthcare and Adventist Hinsdale Hospital within the orthopedic and neurosurgery specialties. She has served as a preceptor for students and as a member and chair of the OR's Unit Based Council. In the spirit of giving back to the profession, Chante has served as a delegate and currently serves as a member of the National Examination Review Committee for the NBSTSA. She has served the ISA as a delegate, Board of Director and is currently in her first term as the Treasurer.
SECRETARY: Marsha Brook
Marsha lives in Morton, IL and graduated from Illinois Central College in 1996 with her Certificate in Surgical Technology and an Associates in General Education in 1998. She has been a CST and member of AST for nearly 22 years. Marsha has extensive surgical experience and started the pediatric surgery team at Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. Marsha is employed at OSF St. Francis hospital in the GI lab and has been employed at OSF for 22 years. She has also been a Clinical Instructor for the ICC Surgical Technology program and enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her two beautiful boxers. Marsha has served the ISA on numerous committees, planned many seminars and meetings, served as a delegate, a Board of Director for two terms, as President for two terms and was very involved in the Registration Act legislation for Illinois Surgical Technologists.
Marsha lives in Morton, IL and graduated from Illinois Central College in 1996 with her Certificate in Surgical Technology and an Associates in General Education in 1998. She has been a CST and member of AST for nearly 22 years. Marsha has extensive surgical experience and started the pediatric surgery team at Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. Marsha is employed at OSF St. Francis hospital in the GI lab and has been employed at OSF for 22 years. She has also been a Clinical Instructor for the ICC Surgical Technology program and enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her two beautiful boxers. Marsha has served the ISA on numerous committees, planned many seminars and meetings, served as a delegate, a Board of Director for two terms, as President for two terms and was very involved in the Registration Act legislation for Illinois Surgical Technologists.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Tiffany Allen
Tiffany lives in Taylorville, IL and graduated from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL with her AAS in Surgical Technology and her AA in General Education and Liberal Arts in 2014. She has been a member of AST and a CST since 2014. She has a 13-year-old son and two dogs. Tiffany has been a clinical site assistant for LLCC's surgical technology program and currently works at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL on the Plastics, Burn and Neurosurgery team. Tiffany is serving the ISA in her first term as a Board of Director and she is looking forward to working hard to get CST's recognized through further legislation.
Tiffany lives in Taylorville, IL and graduated from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL with her AAS in Surgical Technology and her AA in General Education and Liberal Arts in 2014. She has been a member of AST and a CST since 2014. She has a 13-year-old son and two dogs. Tiffany has been a clinical site assistant for LLCC's surgical technology program and currently works at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL on the Plastics, Burn and Neurosurgery team. Tiffany is serving the ISA in her first term as a Board of Director and she is looking forward to working hard to get CST's recognized through further legislation.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Phyllis Biever
Phyllis lives in Minier, IL and graduated from a surgical technology program in Evansville, IN in 1983. She has been a CST and member of AST for 35 years. Phyllis has experience in many different specialties, including vascular, general surgery, Labor and Delivery and been a member of several open heart teams. Phyllis also has been a clinical instructor at a community college where she discovered a passion for working with ST students. She is currently employed at Unity Point in Peoria, IL where she is a member of the general surgery team and serves as a clinical preceptor for ST students and as a mentor for new employees. She also works with the clinical educator ensuring employees are current in departmental in-services and performs audits for continued quality in patient care within the surgery department. Phyllis has served the ISA as a delegate, two terms as the Treasurer and is currently serving a second term as a Board of Director.
Phyllis lives in Minier, IL and graduated from a surgical technology program in Evansville, IN in 1983. She has been a CST and member of AST for 35 years. Phyllis has experience in many different specialties, including vascular, general surgery, Labor and Delivery and been a member of several open heart teams. Phyllis also has been a clinical instructor at a community college where she discovered a passion for working with ST students. She is currently employed at Unity Point in Peoria, IL where she is a member of the general surgery team and serves as a clinical preceptor for ST students and as a mentor for new employees. She also works with the clinical educator ensuring employees are current in departmental in-services and performs audits for continued quality in patient care within the surgery department. Phyllis has served the ISA as a delegate, two terms as the Treasurer and is currently serving a second term as a Board of Director.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Tanisha Bonner
Tanisha lives in Chicago, IL and after graduating from high school, she enlisted in the United States Army and trained as an Operating Room Specialist. After serving 6 years in the Army, Tanisha went on to complete her BS degree in Biology from Chicago State University in 2011. Tanisha is currently employed at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago, IL. She loves travelling and spending time with her family. Tanisha hopes to encourage more students and current surgical technologists to get involved in the state assembly and become certified. Tanisha served as a delegate to the 2017 AST national conference and is currently serving as a Board of Director for the ISA.
Tanisha lives in Chicago, IL and after graduating from high school, she enlisted in the United States Army and trained as an Operating Room Specialist. After serving 6 years in the Army, Tanisha went on to complete her BS degree in Biology from Chicago State University in 2011. Tanisha is currently employed at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago, IL. She loves travelling and spending time with her family. Tanisha hopes to encourage more students and current surgical technologists to get involved in the state assembly and become certified. Tanisha served as a delegate to the 2017 AST national conference and is currently serving as a Board of Director for the ISA.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Julie Wedster
Julie lives in Alsip, IL and graduated from the Surgical Technology program at Prairie State College Phi Theta Kappa and became a CST in 2010. Julie has also earned a BS in Psychology. She has experience in open heart and cardiovascular surgery and was employed at the University of Chicago Hospital in the plastic surgery service. Julie has been an adjunct instructor at Prairie State College and in 2013 became the Surgical Technology Program Coordinator. She enjoys teaching and bringing new "children" into this profession. Julie believes we should be proud of what we do because as CSTs we are giving the best of our abilities to our patients on a daily basis. Julie has served the ISA as a delegate, as the Secretary and is currently serving her second term as a Board of Director.
Julie lives in Alsip, IL and graduated from the Surgical Technology program at Prairie State College Phi Theta Kappa and became a CST in 2010. Julie has also earned a BS in Psychology. She has experience in open heart and cardiovascular surgery and was employed at the University of Chicago Hospital in the plastic surgery service. Julie has been an adjunct instructor at Prairie State College and in 2013 became the Surgical Technology Program Coordinator. She enjoys teaching and bringing new "children" into this profession. Julie believes we should be proud of what we do because as CSTs we are giving the best of our abilities to our patients on a daily basis. Julie has served the ISA as a delegate, as the Secretary and is currently serving her second term as a Board of Director.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR: Keesha Watts
Keesha lives in Country Club Hills, IL and graduated from the Surgical Technology program at Prairie State College in 2004. She has been scrubbing for almost 13 years. Her first job following graduation was at Little Company of Mary for seven years and up until recently was working agency around the Chicagoland area. Keesha is currently employed by Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, IL where she is the only leader of the ENT department. Earlier in her career she worked in the orthopedics and ENT specialties. Keesha hopes to bring more light to the profession by continuing to encourage her co-workers, comrades and future techs to be proud ST's and CST's, to get involved and get in the know. When Keesha is not scrubbing she can be found at her second job working the lanes, bowling that is! Keesha currently serves as a Board of Director for the ISA.
Keesha lives in Country Club Hills, IL and graduated from the Surgical Technology program at Prairie State College in 2004. She has been scrubbing for almost 13 years. Her first job following graduation was at Little Company of Mary for seven years and up until recently was working agency around the Chicagoland area. Keesha is currently employed by Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, IL where she is the only leader of the ENT department. Earlier in her career she worked in the orthopedics and ENT specialties. Keesha hopes to bring more light to the profession by continuing to encourage her co-workers, comrades and future techs to be proud ST's and CST's, to get involved and get in the know. When Keesha is not scrubbing she can be found at her second job working the lanes, bowling that is! Keesha currently serves as a Board of Director for the ISA.