AORN Executive Director Tom Cooper Announces Retirement

DENVER -- Tom Cooper, executive director and CEO of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), has announced his retirement from the association, effective this fall.

"AORN is a tremendous organization doing great work in healthcare. It has been a privilege for me to serve the association as its executive director," said Cooper.

On behalf of the AORN board of directors and perioperative nurses, AORN president Paula Graling thanked Cooper for his leadership and devotion to AORN.

"Tom has provided exceptional leadership for AORN in the perioperative community and has built many important relationships to position AORN as a healthcare leader that will serve the association well for years to come."

During his tenure, Cooper was responsible for implementing many key strategies to support perioperative nurses and their patients, including AORN's Patient Safety First initiative and Industry Partners for Patient Safety. Cooper also launched National Time Out Day and played a significant role in forming the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety, a consortium of perioperative organizations working together to improve patient care.

Cooper will continue to represent the association throughout the summer -- on the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety and the Nursing Organizations Alliance -- and will work with the association board to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.

Source: AORN