Arlene Bush Reflects on HSPA Presidency Ahead of 2026 Conference: Advocacy, Certification, and the Future of Sterile Processing

As Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL, SME, DSMD, CRMST, prepares to pass the gavel at the upcoming 2026 Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Annual Conference being held in Baltimore, Maryland, from April 25 to 28, she chats one final time as president with the lead editor of Infection Control Today^® (ICT^®), and her final reflections offer a candid, deeply personal look at a presidency defined by advocacy, collaboration, and steady progress in sterile processing.

“This has been the privilege of my career,” Bush said, reflecting on her time leading HSPA. “It’s been extremely rewarding to serve the membership.”

Over the past year, Bush has emphasized visibility for sterile processing professionals, both within health care systems and on a national stage. One of the most defining moments of her presidency, she said, came not from her own actions, but from the collective work of the organization.

“The proudest moment of my presidency was seeing our association on the front line on Capitol Hill,” Bush said. “When we testified for required certification, that was huge for our profession.”

That advocacy effort reflects a broader push within HSPA to elevate standards and recognition for sterile processing professionals. For Bush, required certification is not just a policy goal, but a patient safety imperative.

“You keep hearing about surgical site infections or dirty instruments somewhere across the nation,” she said. “We’re really trying to prevent that from occurring, and it takes a certified, skilled technician to do that work.”

Beyond advocacy, Bush’s presidency has also focused on strengthening internal systems, including updates to certification criteria and fellowship programs. These changes were designed to make advancement more accessible while maintaining rigor.

“We wanted to make it achievable for people applying,” she explained. “Not just writing a thesis but doing work that truly impacts the profession.”

As she reflects on the year, Bush consistently returns to one theme: collaboration. Her recent experience attending the 2026 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo (AORN26) in New Orleans, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Global Surgical Conference, reinforced the importance of bridging gaps between sterile processing and perioperative teams.

“We’re stronger together than we are divided,” she said. “They can’t do it without us, and we can’t do it without them.”

That message resonates as health care becomes increasingly complex, requiring tighter integration across disciplines. Bush noted that sterile processing is gaining greater visibility in perioperative conversations, a shift she sees as both encouraging and necessary.

“It was refreshing to hear that sterile processing was part of so many conversations,” she said.

Still, the role has not been without challenges. Like many leaders, Bush acknowledged moments of frustration, particularly when changes were misunderstood or met with resistance.

“You can’t please everybody,” she said candidly.

Instead, she has focused on transparency, listening, and ensuring that decisions align with the organization’s mission and strategic plan.

“I hope people felt like I was accessible, that I listened, and that we made movement as an association,” Bush said.

Her leadership style has also been shaped by real-world experiences beyond the boardroom. Drawing on her background managing through crises, including natural disasters, Bush emphasized the importance of empathy in leadership.

“You don’t always know what people are dealing with at home,” she said. “Sometimes you have to approach people differently and give them the option, not just the expectation.”

As she prepares to step down, Bush is quick to highlight the role of mentorship in sustaining the organization’s momentum. HSPA’s leadership model, she said, ensures continuity while preparing future leaders.

“It’s mentorship, even within our own ranks,” she explained. “You’re prepared to sit in the presidency because you have people to reach out to.”

Looking ahead, Bush expressed confidence in incoming leadership, including the next president and president-elect, who will continue advancing the association’s strategic goals.

“Be steadfast. Remember why you’re in the seat,” she advised. “Enjoy the time—it goes so fast.”

The upcoming conference in Baltimore will serve as both a celebration and a transition. In addition to educational sessions and networking opportunities, the event will feature a charity initiative supporting a local organization, reflecting HSPA’s commitment to giving back.

“It’s a way to give back to the conference city,” Bush said. “That’s always important to us.”

For Bush, the conference also represents something more personal: a chance to reconnect with colleagues and celebrate a shared mission.

“It’s like a family reunion every year,” she said. “You’re in a room with people who are all there for patient safety.”

As her presidency comes to a close, Bush’s legacy is defined not by a single initiative, but by a collective movement—one rooted in advocacy, collaboration, and a commitment to elevating the profession.

“Our work’s not done,” she said. “But we’re in a really good place.”