Celebrating 35 Years of VACS Excellence:
A Look Back at Our Landmark Conference

The Virginia Association of Central Services (VACS) recently concluded its two-day milestone educational conference, "Celebrating 35 Years of VACS Excellence: Pioneering the Future in SPD."

This year’s event was a true testament to the strength, dedication, and growth of our sterile processing community over the last three and a half decades. Across two packed days of education and collaboration, sterile processing professionals from across the region gathered to discuss the latest standards, emerging technologies, and critical strategies for enhancing patient safety and departmental efficiency.

Heartfelt Thanks to Our Community

An educational event of this magnitude is only possible through the collective dedication of our members, industry partners, and leaders. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making our 35th-anniversary celebration an outstanding success.

To Our Attendees: Thank you for your passion, curiosity, and unwavering commitment to sterile processing excellence. Your active participation in discussions and networking sessions brought this conference to life. We hope you returned to your facilities with actionable insights and renewed inspiration.
To Our Speakers: Thank you to the industry experts who took the stage to share their groundbreaking research and technical expertise. Your presentations provided invaluable toolkits that will help elevate our profession and improve daily practices in departments everywhere.
To Our Sponsors: We are incredibly grateful for the continuous support of our corporate sponsors. Your investment in VACS allows us to provide premier professional development and high-quality educational resources to sterile processing professionals year after year.

Honoring Our Conference Contributors

Our Distinguished Speakers

Saturday: Sarah Antonelli (Solventum), Kevin Anderson (Healthmark), Jim Schlosser (Hospital Safety Solutions), and Hope Byer-Everd (Advanced Sterilization Products).
Sunday: Pamela Carter (Steris), James Stewart (ChemDAQ), Jennifer Lynch & Lindsay Mansfield (Karl Storz Endoscopy), and Butch & Penny Kirms (B&P Medical).

Our Corporate Sponsors

Preferred Sponsors: Getinge, Solventum, Steris, Medline, ReadySet Surgical, UVA Health, Aesculap, and Aspen Surgical.
Standard Sponsors: Karl Storz, B&P Medical, Acuity Medical, Pure Processing, Case Medical, Advanced Sterilization Products, Censis, DSI Direct, and Karras Medical.
Break Sponsors: Getinge, Solventum, and Depuy Synthes.

As we look toward the future, VACS remains committed to supporting sterile processing professionals through education, advocacy, and community. Thank you for celebrating 35 years of excellence with us, and we look forward to pioneering the future of SPD together for many years to come!

📅 Save the Date: Our Next Event!

Keep the momentum going! Join us for our next VACS educational gathering:

Date: April 10, 2027
Location: Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital | Richmond, VA

Registration details and program information will be available soon. We hope to see you there!

About the event

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About Us

Virginia Association of Central Services

About VACS

Virginia Association of Central Services (VACS) came into being as a means of identifying and unifying Central Services personnel professionally within the Commonwealth of Virginia. VACS' goal is to work as an advocate for the promotion of educational and professional growth to members and associates.

During the year, we offer seminars and vendor fairs with continuing educational value to Central Service personnel. We strive to meet the needs of Central Service professionals to promote their status as technical professionals in a rapidly evolving field of health care. Please take this opportunity to learn about us as an association and of upcoming events. We hope you will find our services beneficial to your personnel professional needs.

Our Mission

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To identify and unify Central Services personnel professionally within the Commonwealth and to promote personal education and provide guidelines for professional growth.

Our Mission

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Healthcare Sterile Processing Association Virginia Chapter

Board Members

Our Board Members

Board members are selected for two year terms during the April annual meeting. The Board meets prior to and after the Annual Spring meeting and at least one other time during the year. The president can call special Board meetings with the Board's approval.