American Society for Healthcare Central Service Professionals (ASHCSP) Announces Award Winners

CHICAGO -- The American Society for Healthcare Central Service Professionals (ASHCSP) of the American Hospital Association announces its slate of award winners at the Society's annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, in October. The awards, part of ASHCSP's national recognition program, were distributed at its awards luncheon, sponsored by STERIS, Inc., and honor achievements made throughout the year in several areas - education, publications, professional service, and chapter growth and development.

The 2002 awards ceremony was marked by an inaugural event, as ASHCSP announced a new category for lifetime achievement. Margaret J. "Peggy" Ryan, RN, was honored as the award's first recipient. Ryan was chosen for this distinction for her years of leadership to central service and sterile processing personnel, her unwavering dedication to meeting the challenges that faced the field over several decades, and her steadfast commitment to advancing the profession. In her acceptance speech, Ryan, a past president and lifetime member of ASHCSP, reminisced about earlier days in central service and remarked on progress the industry has made over the span of her professional career.

The prestigious Leonard Leipus Award, the society's highest honor, was conferred upon Arlene Carlo, RN, BSN, CPM, FCSP, in recognition of her years of service to ASHCSP and her significant contributions to the central service and sterile processing profession. Carlo is a former board and committee member of ASHCSP and continues to work as a consultant to the CS industry.

Other awards were as follows:

Educator of the Year - Rose Seavey, RN, MBA, CNOR, ACSP

Technician of the Year - Carol Scharpenberg

Chapter Founder Award - Cheryl Ellerbrook/Ohio Valley Central Service Professionals

Chapter Membership Growth (for chapters with membership under 100) - Central Service Association of Iowa

Chapter Membership Growth and Newsletter of the Year (for chapters with membership over 100) - North Carolina Association

Newsletter of the Year (for chapters with membership under 100) - Western Kentucky Association

Affiliated Chapter Educational Achievement (for chapters with membership under 50) - Central Florida Association

Affiliated Chapter Educational Achievement (for chapters with membership over 50) - North Carolina Association

The American Society for Healthcare Central Service Professionals is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Hospital Association whose mission is to provide education, networking, recognition, membership advocacy, and professional practices to promote innovative ideas toward the future direction and growth of the central service/sterile processing profession.