David Wyatt, PhD, RN, vice president of Perioperative Enterprise at Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital, has been named president-elect of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN). He will serve as president beginning in March 2020.
Founded in 1949, AORN unites and empowers leading surgical nurses, health care organizations and industry in working together to define standardized practice in the operating room. As the world’s largest professional association for perioperative nurses, the association’s evidence-based guidelines, continuing education and clinical practice resources lead to optimal outcomes in patient care. Currently, the association has approximately 44,000 members.
“Vanderbilt University Medical Center has always been known as a place that leads the nation in nursing talent and leadership on a broad scale,” said Mitch Edgeworth, MBA, CEO of Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital and Clinics. “Dr. Wyatt continues that tradition with his impressive election as president-elect of AORN. We could not be prouder of his accomplishments and know that the AORN is in very good hands under his leadership over the next two years.”
Wyatt joined VUMC in 2010 as administrative director of Clinical Perioperative Services. In 2014, he was named associate operating officer and associate nursing officer, and he was responsible for administrative and clinical leadership for the Adult Surgery Patient Care Center. In October 2018, Wyatt was named to his current role in which he is responsible for the overall operational and strategic leadership of the Perioperative Enterprise.
Wyatt was previously elected to serve on the AORN board of directors from 2008-2012. In 2015, he received the AORN Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing, the highest individual award given by the association in recognition of contributions made in research, education and leadership.
“The selection of Dave in this incredibly influential role is a well-deserved honor and shines a bright light on the Vanderbilt peri-operative community,” said Robin Steaban, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Vanderbilt University Hospital and Clinics. “AORN sets the standards for peri-op nursing practice, establishes the professional development and improvement agendas for ORs in this country and internationally, and facilitates the development of peri-op nursing leaders. There is none better to lead this work. We are thankful that the excellence of Vanderbilt will inform that work and that through cutting-edge work with others, Dave will continue to bring a positive influence back home to Vanderbilt.”
“It’s a great honor to be chosen by my fellow members to serve as president of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses,” said Wyatt. “AORN ensures the voices of front-line nurses are heard when it comes to critical issues that impact patient care and the practice of nursing in the perioperative setting. The organization is an invaluable resource for advancing the knowledge and skills of nurses in evidence-based practice.