Beyond Assisting

This is why checking blue wrap matters.

Before a wrapped tray can be considered sterile, it must be inspected for holes, tears, or punctures. Even a tiny hole can compromise the sterile barrier, meaning the tray can no longer be considered sterile and shouldn't be used for surgery.

In this video, I found a hole. Once that happens, the tray is no longer good for the case.

It's one of many extra steps that comes with blue wrap and one more reason innovations in sterile storage are changing the conversation.

Nobody prepares you for the moment you take your baby to college and then have to leave her there.

It didn’t seem to hit me completely until I got home and she wasn’t there. Thankful for wonderful kids that are there for me in these moments with no shame or embarrassment.

It means more than they know. ❤️

Every scrub has had that moment.

You realize something isn't on your back table... and the case is already underway.

Do you freeze?
Do you stay quiet?
Or do you speak up?

Confidence in the OR isn't about never making mistakes. It's about recognizing problems early, communicating clearly, and solving them before they become patient problems.

The best surgical professionals aren't perfect.

They're prepared to adapt.

Today they held instruments. Tomorrow they might save lives.

Career Day is about so much more than talking about jobs. It's about introducing students to careers they may have never known existed and helping them see themselves in those roles. If one student left this inspired to pursue a job in the operating room, then it was a successful day.

The future of surgery starts with education.

Behind every polished video is... whatever this is. 😂

I spend a lot of time filming by myself, so if I can't laugh at myself, I'd lose my mind. These are the moments that don't usually make the final cut, but honestly, they might be my favorite.

Life's too short to take yourself too seriously. Have fun, be a little ridiculous, and enjoy the bloopers!

For decades, the operating room has been one of the most misunderstood places in healthcare.

The people behind the sterile field have always been experts. We just haven’t had a platform.

That’s changing.

SurgFluencers was built to bring together authentic voices from across the OR to educate, inspire, and show the world what really happens behind the red line.

Some forward-thinking brands have already recognized the opportunity to partner with the people who use their products every day.

The question isn’t whether SurgFluencers will change how the OR is represented.

It’s who will be next to see the opportunity.

One of the questions Dr. Meneghini asked me really made me stop and think:

Why aren't more people taught to think this way in the OR?

Too often, we're taught what instrument comes next or what step comes next. While that's important, it only gets you so far.

What truly builds confidence is understanding "why" we are doing things.

When you understand the reason behind the procedure, you're no longer just memorizing. You're anticipating. If the case suddenly changes or something doesn't go as planned, you can think critically, adapt, and stay one step ahead instead of feeling lost.

That's the difference between simply following a case and truly understanding surgery.

Do you think we spend enough time teaching the why in surgical education , or are we still too focused on memorization?

One of the biggest concerns I hear from surgical first assistants is, "What about billing?"

That's exactly why I wanted to ask Melissa, who works with All-Stars Surgical Assist on a consistent basis.

In this interview Melissa shares why she enjoys using All-Stars Surgical Assist, from the flexibility to choose when she wants to work to not having to deal with the billing herself. She simply submits the case information, and All-Stars handles the commercial insurance billing process in eligible states.

For many first assistants, that means less time spent on administrative tasks and more time focused on patient care.

If you're a surgical first assistant, what's your biggest question about working independently? I'd love to hear it in the comments!

Sponsored by All-Stars Surgical Assist. All opinions expressed are my own.

One of the most humbling skills in the OR?

Adjusting the OR lights.

It looks easy... until it's your turn to try. There's definitely a technique to it, and every experienced scrub knows exactly what I'm talking about.

Newbie vs Experienced

Be honest... what OR skill humbled you the most when you first started? 👇️