Goad receives clinical educator award

Deborah Goad of Fort Smith, clinical coordinator of the Surgical Technology Program at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, has been named 2010 Clinical Educator of the Year by the Association of Surgical Technologists.

The AST presents the yearly award to recognize outstanding educators who devote their lives to the surgical technology field. Educators are nominated by their peers and selected by the Foundation for Surgical Technology.

Candidates were chosen from among 450 accredited programs across the nation by way of nomination. Dr. Sydney Fulbright of Fort Smith, executive director of surgical technology at UAFS, nominated Goad for the prestigious award in March.

Fulbright said Goad’s duties include acting as a liaison between the UA Fort Smith surgical program and local hospital staff, administration and medical staff to promote good will and learning opportunities for students.

“Deborah is innovative in her teaching methods, constantly thinking of new ways to teach skills,” Fulbright said.

Fulbright told the AST nomination board that Goad goes beyond her duties to supervise, instruct and evaluate students in on-campus laboratories and clinical area experiences, helping students in any way she can — such as assisting with garage sales and candy sales and attending students’ required community service projects.

Goad said receiving the AST award for Clinical Educator of the Year was a delightful surprise.
 
“Dr. Sydney Fulbright mentioned nominating me at some point early in the spring semester,” Goad recalled. “I expressed my appreciation, but soon forgot about the conversation. I was completely surprised and delighted when I received notification — I had been chosen.”