In this week's episode, we're changing our focus, and seeing the operating room through the eyes of the patient. Becca Kinney—a former sterile processing technician, medical sales representative, and now entrepreneur—joins us to share her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor.

With a clinical background and firsthand experience undergoing multiple surgeries, Becca offers a unique and deeply moving perspective on surgical care. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges of her diagnosis and treatment, the value of clear communication and compassionate care, and how even the smallest gestures from caregivers can have a lasting impact.

Her story is a powerful reminder that behind every procedure is a person who is scared, vulnerable, and in need of connection. Tune in for an episode that underscores the importance of empathy, anticipatory guidance, and truly seeing our patients as people.

#operatingroom #perioperativenurse #surgicaltechnologist #perioperative #FirstCasePodcast #BreastCancerAwareness #PatientExperience #PerioperativeCare #SurgicalTeam #HealthcareProfessionals #SterileProcessing #EmpathyInMedicine

On this episode 3 of our brand new StreetClothes human-interest podcast series, we talk to two healthcare professionals who have a passion project that's far from fowl play! Not only have they created their own backyard flock of feathered friends, they've also cracked the code for beating those sky-high egg prices!

Tune in to hear how Sean Weir & Stacey Gielen became known as the "Chicken Tenders" and how these quirky birds bring sustainable joy to their lives outside the hospital...

If you like this series OR have an interesting side-hustle, passion project, or hobby you do outside of your hospital day job that keeps you inspired, refreshed, and motivated, we'd love to hear from you! Message Hank Balch on LinkedIn for a chance to come on the show and share it with the world! 

#StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

In this week's article, we're diving into the power of purposeful teaching with “Intentionality in Surgical Technology Instruction” originally written by First Case co-host Chris Blevins, CST, FAST.

From creating hands-on, realistic lab experiences to flipping the classroom for deeper engagement, this episode highlights how surgical technology educators can shape confident, competent future CSTs through intentional and reflective instruction.

Whether you teach in the lab or lecture in the classroom, this one's for you. Don’t miss these insights that go beyond skill-building to foster professionalism, critical thinking, and advocacy for our surgical tech students.

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Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#SurgicalTechnology #PeriopEducation #FirstCasePodcast #OREducation #CST #SurgTechInstructor #ArticlesOnTheGo

Implicit bias - it’s unconscious, it’s uncomfortable, and it affects patient care more than we may realize.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Darlene Murdock, Staff Nurse at Memorial Hermann Hospital, to explore how our own hidden biases can lead to unequal treatment, impact patient outcomes, and create barriers to compassionate care. Darlene shares real-life stories, eye-opening stats, and actionable steps to help us become more self-aware and patient-focused in the OR and beyond. Tune in now to take the first step toward understanding your own implicit bias!

#operatingroom #perioperative #perioperativenurse #implicitbias #surgicaltechnologist #scrubtech #podcast

What happens when you combine collaboration, efficiency, and standardization in the OR with strategic relationships and data-driven decision-making? You have a success story of operational transformation! Join us in this First Case Vendor Spotlight™ with Randy Subramany, Director of Supply Chain at New York Presbyterian, as we uncover the process that revolutionized procedural supply management.

New York Presbyterian, with its expansive network of 10 acute care centers and over 450 locations, collaborated with Cardinal Health™ Presource® Solutions to tackle inefficiencies in procedural supply standardization. The result? A streamlined custom kitting program that reduced redundant SKUs, minimized waste, and significantly improved clinician satisfaction. As a result, the organization eliminated unnecessary variation while enhancing patient care.

Throughout the discussion, Randy highlights the critical role of supply chain leaders in driving value-based care, reducing waste, and optimizing workflows. He shares insights into how Cardinal Health™ Presource® has been an essential component in this process, providing robust data analysis, standardization tools, and hands-on collaboration to ensure seamless implementation.

From reducing case setup times to improving emergency preparedness, this episode sheds light on how custom kitting solutions can transform perioperative efficiency. If you're looking to streamline supply chain processes, enhance clinician experience, and ultimately improve patient outcomes, Cardinal Health™ Presource® Procedural Pack Solutions is ready to help.

Reach out to your Cardinal Health Presource® representative to explore tailored kitting solutions that meet your OR’s needs, or request more information on their website.

#FirstCase #CardinalHealth #VendorSpotlight #OperatingRoom #Efficiency #Workflows #SupplyChain #PatientCare #CustomSurgicalKits

Welcome to the Season 15 premiere of First Case! We’re kicking off this season with guest JD Buchert, and diving into the importance of understanding our patients beyond their procedures.

In this episode, we explore the importance of seeing patients as individuals rather than just cases. Our conversation covers the role of culturally competent care, how personal experiences and backgrounds shape patient interactions, and the need for improved communication and empathy in the perioperative setting. We’ll also discuss how unconscious bias can impact care and what we can do to foster a more inclusive and patient-centered approach.

Join us as we uncover strategies for building trust, enhancing patient interactions, and ensuring every patient feels seen, heard, and respected. This is a conversation that can transform how we care for those who entrust us with their health, so don't miss it!

#operatingroom #perioperativenurse #perioperative #surgicaltech #scrubtech #podcast

On this episode 2 of the StreetClothes podcast, we talk to a well-known voice in the medical device space about bending strings and making his guitar "talk." If you're like many Americans, you've probably got a guitar in a closet somewhere. Some of you may even use your guitar as a much-needed tool to unwind your mind after a crazy day at the hospital. Whether you're a "picker" or a "grinner", if you appreciate the power of music to deeply impact people, you'll find a lot of value in this episode. 

Tune in to hear how and why Kevin Brown jams out when he's outside of scrubs...

If you like this series OR have an interesting side-hustle, passion project, or hobby you do outside of your hospital day job that keeps you inspired, refreshed, and motivated, we'd love to hear from you! Message Hank Balch on LinkedIn for a chance to come on the show to share it with the world! 

#StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

On this episode 1 of our brand new, human-interest “StreetClothes" podcast series, we talk to a clinician who moonlights as a personal chef in between his travel assignments. Don't listen to this interview on an empty stomach as the smell, taste, and passion for food is strong from beginning to end. But like any good recipe, even this story has a little twist — this personal chef isn't whipping up meals for the rich and famous.

 Tune in to hear this wonderful story about what Vinny Stancarone does outside of scrubs.

If you like this series OR have an interesting side-hustle, passion project, or hobby you do outside of your hospital day job that keeps you inspired, refreshed, and motivated, we'd love to hear from you! Message Hank Balch on LinkedIn for a chance to come on the show to share it with the world! 

#StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

The AORN Expo is not just another conference—it’s an immersive, high-energy event packed with education, networking, and hands-on learning opportunities! As thousands of perioperative professionals prepare to gather in historic Boston from April 5–8, 2025, making the most of this experience requires some strategic planning.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned Expo veteran, these ten tips will help you navigate the busy schedule, maximize learning opportunities, and ensure an unforgettable experience. From utilizing the Expo app to networking with industry leaders, voting in AORN elections, and staying comfortable throughout the event, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to make the most of AORN Expo 2025? Let’s dive in!

#operatingroom #perioperative #ornurse #perioperativenurse #aornexpo

While we wait for Season 15 to begin, here's a throwback to a great episode from Season 6! 

Let's be real. There's a lot of..."stuff" that can hold us back. Even stuff we aren't aware of. Today’s interview with Lindsay Brown, VP of Sales and Marketing at Beyond Clean, will be an exploration of common limiting mindsets that prevent personal and professional growth. What IS a limiting mindset? How do our thoughts limit our progress? And how does all of this relate to our professional growth? Find out what’s holding you back in this exciting 3rd episode of Season 6!

Love our show? Download our First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G

#OperatingRoom #Surgery #Perioperative #ProfessionalGrowth #Mindset #Professional Development