CBSPD Reorganizes for the Future, Welcomes New Executive Director

At the annual meeting of the board of directors of the Certification Board for Sterile Processing & Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD) changes in the administration of the organization were unanimously approved by the board. Nancy Chobin, RN, CSPM, founder, has retired from the position of executive director of the CBSPD. 

"The past 25 years have been the most rewarding experience of my professional career," says Chobin. "I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity of starting a program that has grown to be world recognized as the leader in competency-based certification programs for personnel providing reprocessing services."

One of the most fulfilling accomplishments was achieving accreditation for the CBSPD's technician, supervisor and manager exams through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The technician examination has been accredited since 1993 and the CBSPD announces the technician exam has been awarded re-accreditation through 2018.  The Manager and Supervisor certification examinations were merged last fall. The CBSPD will be completing application for accreditation of the new Management credential in 2014.

Over the past four years, Karen Swanson, LPN, CSPM, sterile processing team leader at Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford, Conn. has been training to assume leadership of the CBSPD.  This change became effective on Nov. 1, 2013.  Swanson has been a long-time CBSPD supporter and for the past five years has chaired the CBSPD Item Review Committee. 

I know the CBSPD will continue to be an influential organization in healthcare," says Chobin. "Karen is prepared to meet whatever challenges lie ahead for the CBSPD and healthcare in general." Chobin will be an advisor to the board and assist with item writing and item review.

"It has been a privilege to work closely with Nancy since 2000 when I first became an item writer and board member," says Swanson.  "Nancy has devoted her life to this organization and I am honored to have been chosen to follow in her footsteps. Going forward we all will face many challenges in healthcare. The CBSPD will continue to be in the forefront providing competency-based certification to those who are responsible for the safety of the patients we serve.

Source: CBSPD