CONCORD — Michelle Gay was awarded the highest honor of fellow at the June 2 Association of Surgical Technologists 47th National Conference in San Diego. The Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists designation is awarded to recognize those individuals who have upheld the highest professional, ethical and moral standards and traditions of the surgical technology profession, and whose professional activity has been devoted to the advancement of the profession toward improving the quality of surgical patient care.

The award selection panel considers the following in conferring the award:

• Participation in local, regional, state and/or national activities that are related to the association.
• Demonstrated influence on surgical technology through national professional roles.
• Participation in community, regional or national volunteer activities that are not necessarily related to the surgical technology profession.
• Demonstrates outstanding knowledge and expertise in the practice, education, research or management areas of the surgical technology profession.
• Recognized by peers as an outstanding leader in the profession of surgical technology.
• Recognized by peers as being of the highest professional and ethical character.

Gay is chair for the college’s surgical technology program. She has served on the board of the N.C. Association of Surgical Technologists’ State Assembly since 2011 and has served as president of this body since 2013. She also is a member of the national AST’s education and professional standards committee and serves as a site reviewer for the accreditation review council on education in surgical technology and surgical assisting.