NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CERTIFYING AGENCIES (NCCA) RENEWS ACCREDITATION FOR NBSTSA’S SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS’ CERTIFICATIONS
LITTLETON, CO (July 2, 2025) – The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) announced Rebecca Music CST, CSFA, FAST and Peggy Varnado, CST, CSFA, FAST have joined their board of directors. Both will work closely with NBSTSA Board President Michelle Payne, MAEd, CST, FAST, the executive board and the examination review committees to continue the organization’s 51-year legacy of preparing surgical technologists and surgical first assistants, validating they have met educational and training requirements through the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®) and Certified First Assistant (CSFA®) exams and are prepared for the demands of the job.
“This is one of the strongest board of directors our organization has had,” said NBSTSA CEO Robin Jenkins CAE, ICE-CCP. “We are proud to have a board that not only reflects the diverse pathways one can take to become a surgical technologist but also one that advocates for a high bar in professional standards and competency for our industry.”
Rebecca Music CST, CSFA, FAST
Rebecca is a full-time Certified Surgical Technologist and Certified First Assistant currently employed as an Internal Travel Surgical Technologist at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. She started her career while in the U.S. Navy and has experience as a surgical technology instructor and clinical coordinator, a surgical device representative, and has practiced within an organ and tissue procurement organization. In addition, she has served on the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) state assembly boards as well as NBSTSA’s Exam Review Committee and Item Writers group.
Rebecca holds surgical technology degrees as well as a master’s in business administration. She is also a recognized Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists (FAST). She is a sought-after speaker in military surgical technology programs, and author of several articles for surgical technology publications.
Peggy Varnado, CST, CSFA, FAST
With more than two decades of experience in the surgical field, Peggy has worked in a variety of settings and held multiple positions that have served as her catalyst for leadership positions. She began her career as a CST in 1996 and currently works at the North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, Louisiana as the ENT/Neuro/Plastics Team Leader. As a passionate advocate for her patients, Peggy finds the most fulfillment in knowing that her work contributes to the best possible surgical outcomes and experiences.
A graduate of Our Lady of the Lake College of Nursing Allied Health with an associate’s degree from Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting, Peggy holds both the CST and CSFA and is a distinguished Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists (FAST). She is also a member of AST, where she served on the national board of directors and held additional elected positions (treasurer, and vice president).
Peggy’s dedication to advancing the field extends to her participation in medical mission trips, particularly those focused on pediatric ophthalmology, where she has made a profound impact on the lives of children by helping to improve their vision. During her medical mission trips, she is especially humbled by the actions of the parents who have lined the sidewalks with applause and hugs of gratitude, after their children’s vision was improved through the medical expertise and service of the team.
Rebecca and Peggy begin their X-year term on the NBSTSA Board of Directors, which includes representatives from NBSTSA, AST and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) – the full roster includes:
- President: Michelle Payne, MAEd, CST, FAST (AST) / China Grove, NC
- Vice President: Julie LeBlanc, CST, FAST (NBSTSA) / Aurora, CO
- Secretary: Margaret Rodriguez, M.Ed, CST, CSFA, FAST (AST) / El Paso, TX
- Treasurer: Jessica Elliott, RN, CST, FAST (AST) / Grenada, MS
- Nancy Ahluwalia, MBA, MS, BA (NBSTSA) / Clermont, FL
- Krista Haines, DO, MABMH (ACS) / Durham, NC
- Libby McRae, CST, FAST (AST) / Yakima, WA
- Carlos Navarro, CST (NBSTSA) / Wildomar, CA