The AAST Call for Volunteers and Director Nominations will open in January of 2014. In the weeks leading up to this event, the AAST Directors-at-Large will each be sharing their personal stories of what encouraged them to get involved in volunteering for this organization. This week's Director Spotlight features Joanne Hebding, RPSGT, RST. Joanne is currently serving her second term as an AAST Director-at-Large. Read Joanne's story below! Joanne Hebding

Joanne Hebding

I went to college majoring in marine biology but like many current college students, my life course changed when I was hired by a prominent neurology group in the Chicagoland area as a Research Study Coordinator (working on the drug protocol that is currently marketed as Ticlid™) and Neurodiagnostic Tech.

In 1987, the hospital in which I was born (Little Co. of Mary, Evergreen Park, IL) opened a 2-bed Sleep Center and I was hired as the first technologist. I was trained for two weeks in sleep by the Chief Tech at the University of Chicago, Diane Nummey. I sat for the old RPSGT boards (both written and practical) and achieved my registry in 1992.

I moved to take a job as the Chief Tech at the University of Miami/Miami VA Medical Center in Miami, Florida. I was exposed to research and was first published on PTSD with Dr. Thomas Mellman. The UM lab was the first of four labs I helped to secure AASM accreditation. I transitioned to Baptist Hospital of Miami in 1996 as the Manager of the Sleep Center, EEG and Bladder Center.

During the UM - Baptist days, I began to network with a regional sleep society: SE/SW RAPT where I held office for several years. With the encouragement of Theresa Shumard, past editor ofbeplay体育app ios, I began writing articles for the magazine. Speaking at different meetings, APSS, state and regional meetings, brought another skill set. I became involved with several APT-AAST committees as a volunteer and was encouraged by many to run for a position on the AAST Board of Directors. I worked for XLTEK for several years. I currently am the Manager of Tallahassee Memorial Sleep Center, a 12-bed center.

I have been a Director-at-Large several times and am currently serving in that position today. I have met many wonderful sleep professionals in my 25+ sleep years, and am always looking to meet many more new ones in the future.