Rebecca Vortman, DNP, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Associate Department Head, Population Health Nursing Science
Department of Population Health Nursing Science
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Contact
Building & Room:
SAB 60J
Address:
One University Plaza, SAB 23, Springfield, IL 62703
Office Phone:
Email:
CV Download:
About
Dr. Rebecca Vortman is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago teaching Doctor of Nursing Practice courses for the Population Health Nursing Science department and serves as a Perioperative Education Consultant, and Associate Editor for the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Novice Nurse Digital Publication.
Dr. Vortman has over twelve years of experience in perioperative nursing, education, and leadership. She is recognized as an international, national, and regional leader and expert in perioperative nursing and is a national board member for AORN.
Her policy focus is on workplace safety initiatives and surgical plume evacuation practices. She has disseminated her scholarly work through publications and presentations at the local, regional, and national levels. She co-led an Illinois-based grassroots coalition to successfully pass a surgical plume evacuation law in Illinois.
She received a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Illinois Chicago. She is certified as an operating room nurse (CNOR) through the Competency and Credentialing Institute and holds a nurse executive advanced certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Selected Publications
Vortman, R. (2020). Using simulation-based education to improve team communication during a massive transfusion protocol in the OR. AORN Journal, 111(4). 393-400.
Vortman, R., Bergren, M.D., Baur, K., & Floyd, V. (2019). Nurse retention in the operating room after perioperative core curriculum completion. ORNAC: Operating Room Nurses Association Canada, 37(3). 13-19.
Vortman, R., McPherson, S., & Wendler, M. (2021). State of the science: A concept analysis of surgical smoke. AORN Journal, 113(1). 41-51.
Vortman, R. (2021). Meeting DNP Essentials through a journal club clinical experience. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. 52(3), 123-129. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20210216-06
Vortman, R., & Thorlton, J. (2021). Empowering nurse executives to advocate for surgical smoke free operating rooms. Nurse Leader Journal. 19(5), 508-515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2020.10.004
Vortman, R., & McPherson, S. (2021). The state of the perioperative nursing specialty workforce: A concern for executive nurse leaders. Nurse Leader Journal. 19(3), 281-288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2020.11.004
Vortman, R., Wendler, M., & McPherson, S. (2021). A Delphi technique study to understand nurses’ knowledge and concerns regarding surgical smoke. Perioperative Care and Operating Room Management Journal, 24, 100193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcorm.2021.100193
Wendler, M.C., Vortman, R., Rafferty, R., & McPherson, S. (2021). What do novice faculty need to successfully transition to the nurse faculty role? An integrative review. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship. 18(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnes-2021-0095
Vortman, R., Stogis, S., & Kirkbride, G. (2022). Envisioning the new essentials in a competency-based DNP strategic and financial business planning course. Journal of Professional Nursing. 42, 231-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.07.011
Stucky, C., & Vortman, R. (2022). Nurse-led strategies to decrease preoperative patient anxiety. Nursing, 52(12), 10–11. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000891956.74320.3b
Service to Community
Professional Leadership
Co-leader in Illinois based grassroots coalition to advocate for surgical smoke plume evacuation legislation in Illinois (SB3753; SB1908). SB1908 enacted into law on 8/20/2021, N/A
Member of the AORN National Taskforce to Define the Role of the DNP in Perioperative Services, 2020-2021, AORN
Member of the AORN National Research Committee member, 2019-2020; 2021-2022, AORN
AORN National Board of Directors, elected position, AORN
AORN National Taskforce to Define the Role of the DNP in Perioperative Services, AORN
Notable Honors
2017, Forty Under 40, AORN
2020, 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader, Illinois Nurses Foundation
2021, Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education, AORN
2022, Young Professional Voice Honoree, AONL
Education
Doctorate of Nursing Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL
Masters of Science in Nursing, Benedictine University
Lisle, IL
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Benedictine University
Springfield, IL
Bachelor of Arts, Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
Licensures and Certifications
- Registered Nurse, Illinois, expires May 31, 2024 (041384521)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center, Board Certified in Nurse Executive, Advanced, #2021014813, 2021-2026
- Competency and Credentialing Institute, Certified nurse in operating room nursing, #1644115, 2013-202
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification since 2020
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification since 2016
- TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer certificate, March 2015
Professional Memberships
2020-present, Association for Leadership Science in Nursing
2020-present, Sigma Theta Tau International, Nu Pi at Large Chapter and Alpha Lamda Chapter
2018-2019, American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
2017-present, American Organization of Nursing Leadership
2013-present, Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders
2012-2017, Sigma Theta Tau International, Nu Pi at Large Chapter
2012-present, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
2012-present, American Nurses Association Affiliate member
Selected Presentations
PRESENTATIONS (senior author underlined, student *, invited **
National
Vortman, R., (2022, March). The road less taken: Leading the way to clean air in the
operating room. (Podium presentation) Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Global Surgical
Conference and Expo, New Orleans, LA.
Vortman, R., & McPherson, S. (2021, August 7-September 30). Applying the Delphi methodology to build consensus on surgical smoke exposure and practices among operating room nurses. (Podium presentation) Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Virtual Global Surgical Conference and Expo.
Vortman, R., Worley, K., Wheeler, K., & Bartlett, K. (2021, August 7-September 30). Our shared purpose: Succession planning for our future. (Podium presentation) Leadership Specialty Assembly. Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Virtual Global Surgical Conference and Expo.
Vortman, R. (2020, May 1- July 31). Using simulation-based education to improve team communication during a massive transfusion protocol in the OR. (Podium presentation). Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Virtual Global Surgical Conference and Expo.
Vortman, R., Worley, K., Wheeler, K., & Bartlett, K. (April 2020) Succession planning: A 20/20 vision for perioperative leaders. (Podium presentation). Leadership Specialty Assembly, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Global Surgical Conference and Expo, Anaheim, CA. (Conference cancelled)
Local/Regional
Vortman, R., & Smalley, P. (2022, November) Implementing the new Illinois surgical plume evacuation law: Are you ready? (Podium presentation) Illinois Council of Operating Room Nurses, Fall Conference, Bloomington, Illinois.
**Vortman, R. (2022, April). Are you ready to take control of surgical plume? From awareness to action. (Podium presentation) Indiana Federation of Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Carmel, Indiana.
**Vortman, R., & Smalley, P. (2022, January). A new Illinois law on surgical smoke plume: Advocacy, interpretation, and implementation in healthcare facilities. (Virtual podium presentation) AORN Chicago Chapter 1401, Chicago, Illinois.
**Vortman., & Smalley, P. (2022, January). Leading the way in Illinois to the successful passage of a surgical smoke plume evacuation legislation. (Virtual podium presentation) AORN North Texas Chapter, Dallas, Texas.
**Smalley, P., & Vortman, R. (2021, September). A new Illinois law on surgical smoke plume: Advocacy, interpretation, and implementation in the ASC. Illinois Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, Annual Meeting. Lisle, IL.
**Vortman, R., & Thorlton, J. (2021, September, webinar). Supporting surgical smoke evacuation through a policy analysis. Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA.