First Case Podcast

First Case Podcast

Clock in, scrub up, and join us behind the red line. We are First Case – an operating room podcast bringing you exciting interviews, engaging discussions, and innovative solutions that are changing the way patients receive surgical care. Each episode we talk to frontline staff, perioperative leadership, and nursing entrepreneurs from across the country as they share their stories, experience and expertise on an industry we love. From the back table to the board room, from wheels in to wheels out. -- we tackle the real-life issues affecting the OR. Whether you’re tuning in for surgical service education or inspiration, we’re glad you're here. And now, it’s time to roll back, and start the First Case…

Episodes

October 17, 2025 49 mins

In the fast-paced world of ophthalmology, efficiency shouldn’t come at the cost of best practice. The good news? There are proven solutions that eliminate risky practices while still keeping up with high case volumes.

In this First Case Vendor Spotlight™, we sit down with Barbara Ann Harmer, Vice President of Clinical Services with ONE TRAY®/IST, to talk about ophthalmology, toxic anterior ...

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When was the last time you stepped outside your service line? 

In this week’s Articles on the Go, Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, shares her story of working outside her cardiac specialty, and the unexpected lessons that came with it. From scrubbing a gallbladder case to circulating a robotic procedure, Lindsey reminds us that s...

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Is a cold OR really better for patient infection prevention, or is it just another myth we’ve been holding onto for too long? 

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Garret Hollenbeak, System Infection Preventionist at Bon Secours Mercy Health and Editor-in-Chief of our sister podcast, Trans...

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“You can’t cover your back table!” or can you? 🤔

For years, many of us were taught that covering a back table was never allowed. But AST and AORN guidelines say otherwise, as long as it’s done correctly.

Join Melanie Perry and Chris Blevins as they kick off a brand-new season of

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Surgeons are often seen as unshakable figures in the OR, but behind the scalpel lies a human story of triumphs, challenges, and compassion.

In today's Articles on the Go, Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, reviews Brain and Heart: The Triumphs and Struggles of a Pediatric Neurosurgeon by Dr. David...

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Have you experienced bullying in your department? Whether you’ve witnessed it or experienced it...

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How can we help children have a positive surgical ...

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When you have a Spanish-speaking patient, do you know how to communicate with them? Can you ask them basic questions, or do you freeze up and hope you can find someone who speaks Spanish who can help you out? In today’s episode we’re discussing the importance of communicating with Spanish-speaking patients with Meghan Codd, Spanish communication coach for healthcare providers and founder of Mi Vida Spanish. Meg...

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September 10, 2025 10 mins

In 2011, an EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri, destroying St. John’s Regional Medical Center and claiming 158 lives. Lindsey Joyce narrowly missed being there that day, and now she’s sharing her story, along with five critical tornado preparedness tips every OR team should know.

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What is the secret to happiness? The answer, according to Dr. Michael Redler, Orthopedic Surgeon at Connecticut Orthopedics, is great communication. Communicating effectively sets the tone for our whole day in the Operating Room. Do we have the supplies needed for a case? Did the right grafts or implants get brought in? Was everyone in the room treated with respect and recognized as a valuable contributor to th...

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“It’s on backorder.” How many times have you heard that answer when you asked why a needed supply wasn’t on the shelf? Wouldn’t it be better if your team knew ahead of time that items weren’t available, and they knew what steps were already being taken to resolve the issue? In today’s interview with Suzi Collins, Market Director of Supply Chain at Steward Healthcare, we’re going to be talking about the relation...

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August 27, 2025 4 mins

We’ve all heard it: “Nursing is a calling.” It sounds noble, but this romanticized language has a hidden price. It can normalize burnout, justify unsafe staffing, and excuse inadequate pay, all under the guise of dedication.

In this eye-opening episode, Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, challenges the “calling” narrative and m...

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August 25, 2025 42 mins

It’s the Season 16 finale of First Case! We're wrapping up the season with a conversation you don’t want to miss. We sit down with Matt Lowe, Clinical Programs Director for SSIs at Medline, to explore how we can make OR education engaging, relevant, and effective. From gamification and escape-room style learning to the vital role of unit champions, Matt shares s...

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August 24, 2025 50 mins

On this episode of StreetClothes, we speak with a clinician with a passion for chasing waves and finding rhythm in the ocean’s tide. From early-morning paddles to the rush of a perfect swell, this surfer blends patience, balance, and energy into every ride.

Tune in to hear how Eric Price paddles past the daily grind and chases the thrill of the waves…

If you like this s...

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Behind every AORN Guideline is a team of experts, years of research, and a commitment to safe, evidence-based perioperative care.

In this week’s interview, we sit down with Erin Kyle, Editor-in-Chief of the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice, to uncover exactly how these guidelines are created, vetted, and implemented. Erin takes us inside the process, cle...

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August 13, 2025 3 mins

Remember playing telephone as a kid? We always laughed with when the message got mixed up. But in the OR, miscommunication can change everything, and even lead to cancelled surgeries or patient safety issues. In this episode, Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, shares a real-life call-back story that turned into a powerful lesson on why “closing the loop” in communication is essential for patient care, e...

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August 11, 2025 31 mins

Are you preparing for the CNOR exam, or helping others get ready? This week we’re joined by Wendy Zander, founder of Zander Perioperative Education, to share expert insight on how to approach CNOR certification with confidence.

From study tips and testing strategies to understanding learning styles and building long-term retention, Wendy breaks it all down with p...

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August 10, 2025 44 mins

On this episode of StreetClothes, we speak with a healthcare professional whose passion for style and connection comes to life behind the salon chair. From precision cuts to perfect color blends, this licensed cosmetologist blends artistry and care into every look she creates.

Tune in to hear how Dr. Raynetta Stansil brings her signature style to helping people look and feel their best—one ...

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August 4, 2025 35 mins

Death a heavy topic, and one we don’t talk about nearly enough.

In this episode, Lindsey Joyce, CVOR nurse and First Case content creator shares her firsthand experiences with patient death in the operating room. From the emotional toll of trauma cases to the quiet aftermath of organ procurement, she offers insight, compassion, and practical advice for managing g...

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July 28, 2025 37 mins

Are you preparing for the CST exam or supporting someone who is? This week, we’re joined by Michelle Payne, President of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), for an in-depth look at what it takes to succeed.

Join us as Michelle breaks down what the CST exam really measures and how the questions are developed. We'll also disco...

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