Graduate Certificate Adult Education, Western Kentucky University, 2018 Graduate Certificate Emerging Diseases, St. Joseph’s College CT, 2010 MS, St. Joseph’s College CT, 2010 BS, Loyola University New Orleans, 2007
Director of IONM Training Program, SpecialtyCare Inc, 2015-present Surgical Neurophysiologist, SpecialtyCare Inc, 2012-2015 Surgical Neurophysiologist, The Neuromatrix Group, 2007-2012
WILENT, B., TESDAHL, E., TROTT, J., TASSONE, S., HARROP, J., KLINEBERG, E., SESTOKAS, A. 2021. Impact of inhalational anesthetic agents on the baseline monitorability of MEPs during spine surgery: a review of 22,755 cervical and lumbar procedures. The Spine Journal Nov21(11): 1839-1846.
WILENT, B., TROTT, J., & SESTOKAS, A. 2021. Roadmap for motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring for patients undergoing lumbar and lumbosacral spinal fusion procedures. The Neurodiagnostic Journal, 61:1, 27-36.
AAACE, American Association for Adult and Continuing Education ASNM, American Society for Neurophysiologic Monitoring ASET, The Neurodiagnostics Society
Developed and led a day program for public high school juniors and seniors to visit the SpecialtyCare training facilities and learn about healthcare careers
2005-2007: Raintree Children and Family Services New Orleans
Developed and led fundraising events to service a group home for young women
Why do you want to serve as a trustee? Serving on the board of trustees will allow me to learn more about the inter-workings of ASET as an organization, as well as allow me to use my talents and perspectives in helping ASET grow. I am motivated and well-positioned in my workplace to promote and contribute excellence to the field of Neurodiagnostics, and serving as a board member will leverage and broaden my opportunities to do so.
How would you define your role as trustee? As a member of the board, I would look forward to serving in any capacity necessary, advocating for excellence in the field and promoting and protecting the best interest of ASET, as well as utilizing my experience to provide insight about current trends in the field.
How would you define the role of the Board of Trustees? I’m interested in learning more about the role of ASET’s board of trustees. From my current perspective, the ASET board of trustees seems primarily in place for three main reasons: first, to take direction and work alongside the ASET staff in carrying out necessary tasks associated with the functioning and well-being of the organization; secondly, the board of trustees should review the decisions, updates, and new developments of the ASET staff and provide input and perspective in adherence with the “power of one” policy; and ultimately, the board of trustees is collectively tasked with surveillance of all projects and planning within ASET, certifying alignment with its agreed-upon missions and vision.
Describe any experience or skills you have gained in a leadership role with other organizations that you think will assist you as an ASET board member? In my current role as director of the IONM training program for SpecialtyCare, I have gained experience with organizing projects, development of adult educational curriculum, collaboration and contribution to clinical practice guidelines, overseeing university recruiting, and management of relationships with outside entities that validate our program curriculum, such as ASET, ABRET, and the Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program.
What qualities do you have that would make you a good trustee? I am an adaptable leader in a variety of circumstances. I can be innovative in achieving goals when resources are sparse or when conditions are suboptimal. I am articulate and transparent yet respectful in handling critical communications. I am experienced as a leader in visualizing the “bigger picture” and assessing alignment with a project or group’s overall mission.
What are your goals for ASET if elected? ASET is a well-established organization comprised of many leaders from which I can learn and develop. As a potential new board member, I would plan to establish personal goals after first listening and learning in order to decipher where my contributions, perspectives, and experience can be valuable.
What, specifically, are the changes taking place in the profession that ASET should be attentive to and what role can/should the Society take?
The field of Neurodiagnostics continues to be challenged by a shortness of technologists in the field, straining employers and creating pressure to expedite and cut corners on training. The society can/should:
Promote the industry as a positive career choice, and highlight opportunities for growth, while advocating for strict adherence to educational standards of those working as technologists in the field.
Provide relevant, robust, and updated educational resources for development and continuing education of technologists in the field.
Particularly in intraoperative neuromonitoring, patient-billing practices and unethical surgeon relationships are an ongoing issue. Professionals in the industry carry the responsibility to educate themselves in regard to the compliance and practices of the organizations for whom they represent. The society can/should:
Provide education and advocacy for fair and ethical billing of patients, compliance with anti-kickback laws (and other important statutes that promote the integrity of American healthcare programs) in transparent communications.
