Mission To enhance the profession of surgical technology and ensure quality patient care. Company Overview The Association of Surgical Technologists was established in 1969 by members of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). With more than 36,000 members, AST is the oldest and most widely-recognized professional organization for surgical technologists and surgical assistants. AST's primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists and surgical assistants have the knowledge and skills to administer patient care of the highest quality.