Nearly all of us will come in contact with some type of Ophthalmic surgical instruments at some point in our careers. But a few of us may end up on the patient side of those instruments as well. On our final episode of Season 19, "The Surgeons We Serve," Lindsay Brown joins us as a cohost for a special interview as we speak with Jill Melicher, MD, Ophthalmic Plastic, Orbit and Reconstructive Surgeon at Minnesota Eye Consultants to discuss the life-saving procedure Dr. Melicher performed on Lindsay in the summer of 2022. Tune in as we talk about the journey Dr. Melicher took to become an Ophthalmic surgeon, the nuances of surgical instruments used in eye procedures, and Lindsay's personal surgical experience to where Dr. Melicher removed cancer from one of her eyes. How do surgeons approach procedures like this? What part do Sterile Processing technicians play in these life-saving moments? Join us this week to find out!

Data makes the world go 'round when it comes to investment in Sterile Processing for staffing, equipment, and other resources. But what kind of data do we even get out of our surgical suites? What do our surgeons know about instrument data and what do they need to know? On this Season 19 episode of "The Surgeons We Serve," a season focused on spotlighting the intersection of surgeons & surgical instruments, we are joined by Dr. Martyn Knowles, Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at UNC Health Care, to discuss data gaps and opportunities when it comes to the surgical instruments coming through our departments. Join us as we chat about how the absence of data impacts instrument flow, what it looks like to bring data up the chain of command in a healthcare setting, and what your Sterile Processing team can be doing today to work towards a world where clean surgical data is a reality. We hope you can join us!

When tiny lives are in the Operating Room, the superhero partnership between Sterile Processing and pediatric surgery makes a truly lifelong difference. On this Season 19 episode of "The Surgeons We Serve," a season focused on spotlighting the intersection of surgeons & surgical instruments, we are joined by Dr. Erik Pearson MD FACS, Pediatric Surgeon and founder of CITIZENSURGEON, to discuss the guardianship that comes from providing care in a patient’s first moments. Dr. Pearson describes how surgeons form partnerships with both parents and patients, explains how the accuracy of tray assembly saves lives, and highlights how pediatric surgery energizes the professionals in our industry. In this impactful episode, we connect the unique nature of pediatric surgery with moments that have defined our careers. This is one conversation that, for the sake of the kids, will inspire you to take your knowledge and skills to the next level. Make sure to check out and subscribe to Dr. Pearson's CITIZENSURGEON on YouTube. Or you can connect with him directly on LinkedIn.

"The residents are coming! The residents are coming!"  How does your Sterile Processing team feel when you hear those words? Are you prepared? Are your instruments? On this Season 19 episode of "The Surgeons We Serve," a season focused on spotlighting the intersection of surgeons & surgical instruments, we are joined by Allison M. Hunter, MD, Orthopaedic Hand, Elbow & Upper Extremity Surgeon at Baldwin Bone & Joint to discuss this resident's perspective on the early days of interacting with surgical instruments.  Tune in as we talk about the human side of residency, the impact of Sterile Processing errors on young surgeons, and building a collaborative educational approach and culture to bringing our two teams together from day one. What does it take to build healthy relationships with your residents? And why is this time so formative for instilling trust in SPD? Join us this week to find out!

How does Sterile Processing remove the drama from trauma? Whether it is locating that one-of-a-kind set or turning over trays on the tightest timelines, trauma cases can spark chaos for both the operating room and central sterile. On this Season 19 episode of "The Surgeons We Serve," a season focused on spotlighting the intersection of surgeons & surgical instruments, we are joined by Dr. Derek Donegan, Orthopaedic Trauma surgeon, to discuss the best way to provide exceptional patient care in unexpected circumstances. Dr. Donegan shares unique insights on how a surgeon’s educational background can impact your inventory needs and walks us through the collaborative efforts that happen behind the drape. If you’ve ever wondered why every instrument, and the kitchen sink, are called for in trauma cases, this is the episode for you. Join us as we discuss creative ways to overcome inventory shortages, how to leverage your vendor partnerships for the optimal outcome, and what data points are necessary for successful demand planning. It’s a new era in trauma surgery, with partnership between surgeons and Sterile Processing professionals taking our trauma capacity to the next level! 

What's going on in the minds of our surgeons when the patient rolls in, and they take hold of the scalpel for their first incision? If we better understand the burdens of life & death they bear with each procedure, will that help how our Sterile Processing teams can effectively serve them? On this Season 19 premiere of "The Surgeons We Serve," a season focused on spotlighting the intersection of surgeons & surgical instruments, we sit down with Dr. Bryan Sagray, DPM, FACFAS, foot & ankle surgeon, artist, and writer, to dive into his insights on the art & science of surgery. Tune in as we discuss the creative side of surgery, confronting the reality of surgical complications, and the need for greater understanding among all members of the perioperative team. For many of you this may be the first time you've ever heard a surgeon directly speak about Sterile Processing, so if you want to hear more, make sure to connect with Dr. Sagray directly on LinkedIn to let him know what you thought.  We hope you enjoy the show!

What’s at the center of all the washing, assembling, and sterilizing in an SPD that keeps patients safe and surgeries moving forward? People. Skilled technicians who manage to get the job done regardless of the stressors, work environment, or available tools. As an industry, how do we recognize these sterilizing superheroes and help get them the tools and support they need? Dr. Peter Nichol, Pediatric Surgeon and industry advocate, joins us to discuss the general lack of peer-reviewed research in the Sterile Processing industry and what he is doing to change that. Discover how Dr. Nichol’s Sterile Processing research could change the industry, and what you can do to get your surgeon partners involved in the conversation.

Ever heard the phrase, "It takes one to know one?" Well, in the case of Dr. George Cybulski, Associate Professor Of Surgery at St. George's University, "It takes one to teach one." You see, Dr. Cybulski isn't your average neurosurgeon and medical school professor -- he also happens to hold his Sterile Processing CSPDT certification. 

On this Season 19 episode of "The Surgeons We Serve," a season focused on spotlighting the intersection of surgeons & surgical instruments, we got to sit down with "Dr. George" to hear how our surgeons get introduced to and come to learn about the surgical instruments we are so familiar with in Sterile Processing.  Dr. George highlights the process young surgeons go through during their training, speaks to the tremendous insight he's gained on reprocessing through pursuing his certification, and provides practical takeaways for how to get your own surgeons more involved in education surrounding your surgical trays. We hope you can tune in to this unique episode!