Kay Ball is a Perioperative Consultant and an Adjunct Professor of Nursing at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.

Kay received a PhD (Health Related Sciences) from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA and has maintained certification as CNOR since 1981.  She’s also CMLSO (Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer).   In 1997, Kay was honored to be inducted as a Fellow in the prestigious American Academy of Nursing (FAAN).

Kay served as the 1992-93 President of the national Association of periOperative Registered  Nurses (AORN) and the President of the AORN Foundation (2000-2001). Kay received AORN’s highest award, the Award for Excellence, in 2003, and in 2020, Kay received the AORN Jerry G. Peers Distinguished Service Award.

Kay served as the 1993 and 1994 Vice-Chair of the ANA Nursing Organization Liaison Forum that represents over 75 specialty nursing organizations.  During this time, Kay worked for a 3-month assignment at the Clinton White House during the tumultuous healthcare reform activities.  Later Kay helped create the Ohio Nurses Assn Alliance, representing nursing organizations and agencies within the state.

Along with many articles and chapters, Kay has authored 4 editions of her book, Lasers:  The Perioperative Challenge.  After the 1^st edition, Kay planned and assisted with the first laser surgery on a dolphin at Sea World.  Kay continues to lecture worldwide on the hazards of surgical smoke exposure quoting her research from 2010 and 2022.

Kay continues to be active in the MidOhio District Nurses Association (Board of Directors member and Chair of the MODNA Legislative Committee).  Kay also chairs the Ohio Nurses Association Health Policy Council.  In her specialty organization, AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses), Kay is on the Award for Excellence Selection Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of AORN of Central Ohio.  She also authors the Legislative Corner for the Ohio local chapter newsletters.