Embracing Change: OR Manager Conference Expands Its Reach

Editor's Note

This year, the annual OR Manager Conference proudly added preconference workshops to its educational offerings with expert advice from Beverly Kirchner, BSN, RN, CNOR, CASC, and Rose Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. Designed to provide nurse leaders with the skills they need to take their careers to the next level, Kirchner’s ASC Administrator Course and Sherman’s Perioperative Leadership Course got attendees off to a great start on Sunday, September 16.

On Monday, September 17, attendees enjoyed an exceptionally full day that began with a timely breakfast presentation by Lois Schick on making marijuana usage a component of patient assessments.

Monday evening kicked off OR Manager Conference’s first ever Surgical Robotic Showcase to feature leaders in robotic surgery and technology. Forerunners in robotic surgery answered attendees’ questions and gave them a touch-and-feel experience with the equipment. Eleanor Martin-Markle of MountainView Hospital led a presentation on embracing the robotic revolution in perioperative suites.

Keynotes included:

• Ridley Barron, author of Twist of Faith, shared his journey to remind us that in coasting through our work, there is the potential to lose sight of the good we do. Everyone came away from this session prepared to promote a culture of safety within their teams to avoid those costly “half-second” mistakes.
• Craig Deao, MHA, of the Studer Group touched on the pressures to increase quality and lower costs—pressures that have changed and will continue to change the way ORs are managed. Deao advised the audience on ways to own their future rather than be disrupted by it.
• Former OR nurse Meg Soper, RN, took a humorous approach to coping with day-to-day stresses while being an efficient leader. By using both sides of our brain, we can create a positive environment through our interactions with others, thus mastering emotional intelligence.

Breakout sessions included clinical, ambulatory surgery center/outpatient, business management, masters series, new manager, leadership/administration, trending topics, general interest, and PACU management topics. View the full schedule of sessions online.

The Exhibit Hall featured a full schedule of events (www.ormanagerconference.com):

• Poster sessions
• Continuing education programs in exhibitors’ booths
• Hybrid OR Town Hall: Developing a Hybrid Suite that Transcends Change
• Product demonstrations within the Interactive Hybrid OR and Surgical Robotics Showcase.

Awards were presented honoring the OR Manager of the Year, Emerging Leader, and Ambulatory Services Achievement.

Day 2 concluded with an offsite networking event, OR Manager’s Night Out: Rock n’ Roll Reception at the Musicians Hall of Fame. Attendees enjoyed live music, dinner, drinks, and making their own music videos!

Jane McLeod, MSN, RN, opened Wednesday morning’s program by addressing burnout commonly experienced by perioperative leaders. By sharing her personal experience of a loss of resiliency in a job she loved, she inspired attendees to increase awareness of this problem and to find solutions for dealing with common stressors. With the ever-changing healthcare landscape, we all must become more mindful leaders.