Congratulations to the recipients of the 2017 AAST (American Association of Sleep Technologists) award winners. The winners received their awards in a presentation during the AAST Meeting in Boston, which was colocated with SLEEP 2017.
Robyn Woidtke, MSN, RN, RPSGT, CCSH, won the AAST Leadership Award, which was established in 1995 to honor Peter A. McGregor, RPSGT, who was instrumental in forming the AAST in 1978. It is given to one AAST member a year who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities through commitment to the growth and development of the AAST. Woidtke has been a sleep medicine professional since 1985 and is currently acting VP of clinical innovation and a consultant with emerging technology company Metamason. “Having leadership qualities means you’re open to exploration, which led me to work with Metamason,” Woidtke told Sleep Review after the award ceremony. Metamason is in the process of gaining FDA clearance for a custom CPAP mask line that incorporates 3-D scan, print, and fit solutions for a precise fit. Woidtke’s professional motto is, “Make sleep inquiry an ‘always event.'”
Joanne Hebding, RST, RPSGT, won the AAST Service Award, which was established in 1984 to honor Elliot D. Weitzman, MD, who provided a tremendous amount of support and encouragement to the development of the AAST. This award honors and recognizes an AAST member who has made significant contributions to the growth and development of the sleep technology profession.
Steven Lenik, RST, RPSGT, CCSH, won the AAST Professional Development Service Award, which was established in 2002 to honor Sharon A. Keenan, PhD, RPSGT, a pioneer in training, education, and professional development for sleep technologists who served as AAST president from 1983 to 1991. This award honors and recognizes an AAST member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to advancing education in sleep technology.
Tamara Sellman, RPSGT, won the AAST Literary Award, which was established in 2002 to recognize a member of the AAST for an original published article. This award honors and recognizes an AAST member for an original published article, paper, or textbook chapter that represent excellence in technical literary writing by a sleep technologist.
Megan Mackay, RPSGT, won the AAST New Technologist Award, which was established in 1997 to honorGerman Nino-Murcia, MD, a leading researcher in sleep medicine who championed education and credentialing for technologists. This award honors and recognizes an accredited sleep technology education program graduate who has passed the American Board of Sleep Medicine or Board Registered Polysomnographic Technologists credentialing examination and attained the RST or RPSGT credential within the past one year.
