The Surgical Assistant Podcast

John and Kelly
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to "The Surgical Assistant podcast," a podcast crafted by surgical assistants, for surgical assistants, where professionalism meets passion. Dive into a world dedicated to enhancing your career with episodes that emphasize the importance of continuing education and staying ahead with the latest clinical pro tips and tricks. Explore the exciting opportunities of traveling as a surgical assistant, while we candidly discuss the unique challenges faced in the field. Stay informed with updates on legislation that impacts your profession, and discover new product spotlights.

  1. Sep 25

    Interview With Amy Burton from ASP and Surgfluencers

    John and Kelly welcome surgical first assistant and advocate Amy Burton to discuss pathways into first assisting, the legal and patient-safety risks of “dual rolling” as both first assistant and scrub tech, and why malpractice coverage, documentation, and courtroom scrutiny make it unsafe despite staffing pressures. Amy shares her career shift from banking to CST, early transition into first assisting, independent practice challenges, and later stability with a surgical services group across Texas and Florida, noting differences in certification, licensure, and professional respect. She describes how a retained lap case led to expert witness work and increased advocacy through ASA involvement, social media content, and her role as COO of Surgefluencers to raise awareness of assistants’ value beyond “camera holding.” The conversation covers misconceptions about the role, professionalism, networking, conferences, the need for legislation and certification, and building trust with surgeons through teamwork, humility, and patient-focused leadership. https://www.surgfluencers.com/ https://www.instagram.com/assist_this/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-burton-csfa-lsa/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BopZ%2BdlKURGOaNlzvlJ0ItA%3D%3D https://www.linkedin.com/company/vytalentsolutions/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3Btkaor2YzSZWBFitjLR8%2F2g%3D%3D https://allstarssurgical.com/ 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:54 Dual Role Debate 02:13 Legal and Safety Risks 03:43 Understaffing and Boundaries 05:31 Amy’s Career Path 08:56 Advocacy and Social Media 09:57 Expert Witness and Surgefluencers 12:07 Public Awareness and Career Outreach 16:18 Challenges Facing Assistants 18:24 Misconceptions About the Role 24:22 Professionalism and Networking 26:02 Earning Surgeon Trust 31:29 Earning Surgeon Trust 32:43 Quiet Leadership in the OR 35:43 Advocating for Patients 36:55 Humility and Lifelong Learning 39:38 Owning Mistakes Protecting Team 41:06 Future of the Profession 42:44 Legislation and ASA Membership 46:32 Conferences and Continuing Education 52:04 Where to Find Amy 53:46 Final Wrap Up

  2. Sep 9

    Rep Rap_ M-Close Port Site Pain Management Closure System with James Romero

    John and Kelly welcome James Romero from New Wave Endo for a product spotlight and demonstration of the MClose Port Site Pain Management Closure System used in laparoscopic and robotic port closure. James explains how MClose deploys two needles simultaneously for consistent 1 cm, 180-degree suture placement, enables local anesthetic delivery to the nerve plane via a first “click,” and improves safety by avoiding exposed needles and reducing risk near bowel. They cover kit contents, wire loading, the three-click workflow, common troubleshooting (missing the second click, thin-patient skin capture, plunger retraction), and techniques for large defects (apex-to-apex, multiple sutures). The group discusses reduced dimpling, less pain and opioid requests, learning curve, use cases (8 mm and larger), and pricing around the $80 range, plus how to request demos, trials, and training via New Wave Endo. Videos Mentioned by James:  step-by-step instruction video:https://vimeo.com/1088939567?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci https://youtu.be/4W0h883TJWk?si=tfWM3KjOlI1eAooZ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17666655/ https://europepmc.org/article/MED/17666655 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:44 Meet James Romero 02:01 Why MClose Exists 03:12 Kit Contents Overview 04:29 Reloading the Wire 05:32 Consistent Safe Needle Placement 06:19 Trocar Through-Trocar Technique 07:10 Three Click Workflow Demo 10:07 Suture Loading and Removal 13:23 Clinical Benefits and Outcomes 14:51 Thin Patient Tips 16:48 Training and Demo Kits 17:44 Cost and Value Comparison 22:10 Learning Curve and OR Adoption 23:13 Bleeding Case Evidence 23:57 Three Clicks Troubleshooting 25:34 Speed and Handling Tips 27:37 Closing Large Defects 29:58 Cost and Value Pitch 31:43 Safety and Pain Benefits 34:36 Port Size Guidelines 38:37 Wrap Up and Resources

  3. Aug 11

    Interview With Chrsitopher Sweebe of Precision Surgical Resources

    On the Surgical Assistant Podcast, John and Kelly interviewChristopher Sweebe, CSFA and founder/CEO of Precision Surgical Resources, about helping surgical assistants transition from W2 employment to independent 1099practice without getting overwhelmed by business operations. Sweebe explains PSR’s “fractional back office” model and partnerships (including All Starz anda long-time billing company) that support LLC setup, insurance, taxes, credentialing, collections, and facility contracting, while emphasizing that market factors like payer mix and state rules can determine whether independence is viable. He highlights common reimbursement barriers and a key documentation “pearl” for avoiding denials: the op note must include the assistant’s name and credential and clearly state why they were needed and what they did. The episode also covers PSR’s 20% fee, Weekly Fridaypayments,transparency, lack of non-competes, and longer-term efforts like grants to train surgical technologists. https://precision-surgical.net/     00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:57 Why PSR Exists 02:54 Independence Roadmap 06:23 Fractional Back Office 07:50 Billing Rules by State 12:04 No Noncompete Model 13:25 Dictation Gets You Paid 17:59 Pricing and Transparency 20:21 Facility Contracts Strategy 29:07 Weekly Pay and Denials 33:36 All Starz Risk Model 36:49 Outsourcing Billing Risk 37:20 Op Note Denials Basics 37:57 No Gatekeeping Support 39:10 Fees and Payer Mix 40:29 How Onboarding Works 42:04 Profit Sharing Teams 44:27 Reimbursement Nuances 46:21 Turnkey Practice Setup 49:23 Owner Mindset Required 52:56 Transparency and Responsiveness 54:54 Future Grants Pipeline 58:32 Hard Work and Processes 01:04:05 Contact and Next Steps

  4. Jul 29

    Sutures and Surgical Hemostasis: An Interview with Rebecca Hall

    In this episode of the Surgical Assistant Podcast, Kelly and John welcome surgical educator, author, and former ASA vice president Rebecca Hall to discuss strengthening surgical assisting through education, resources, and professional standards. Rebecca explains how her pocket guide, Suture and Surgical Hemostasis (2nd edition), grew from teaching tools she created for students, and why updates like mesh, new sutures, and evolving technology matter for assistants making real-time closure decisions. They also cover The Practice and Principles of Surgical Assisting (2025), inspired by Karen Ludwig’s vision for an ASA-based textbook written by surgical assistants to better reflect OR realities. The conversation highlights ethics, scope of practice, independent practice, gaps in hands-on training and access to H&Ps/EHRs, and the need for more relevant CE content created by working assistants. https://www.amazon.com/Suture-Surgical-Hemostasis-Pocket-Guide/dp/1416022473https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Principles-Surgical-Assisting/dp/126426437200:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction .01:52 Rebecca's Background and Credentials 02:57 Location Update to Ohio 04:23 Creating the Suture Pocket Guide 05:43 Importance of Suture Knowledge 07:51 Second Edition Updates09:04 The Surgical Assisting Textbook 09:27 Karen Ludwig's Legacy 10:46 Need for More Resources 11:52 Ethics and Scope of Practice 14:21 Standing Up for Your Limits 15:46 Creating Resources for the Field 17:44 Available Textbooks and Materials 19:21 Improving Surgical Assistant Education 20:41 Improving CE Courses 21:42 Writing CE Articles 23:23 Sharing Knowledge and Experience 24:14 Defining Excellence in Surgical Assisting 26:26 Learning Surgeonese 27:55 Patient History and H&Ps 30:20 Epic Access for Assistants 32:27 Discussing Surgical Technique 33:55 Education Program Challenges 37:15 Hands-On Training Standards 38:54 Hospital Utilization Issues 40:59 Closing Thoughts and Resources

  5. Jul 24

    Hernia Series Part: 3 Paraesophageal & Hiatal Hernia's

    Kelly and John continue their hernia series with a practical discussion of hiatal and paraesophageal hernias for surgical first assistants, clarifying the four types (type I sliding vs types II–IV paraesophageal/giant) and why case details matter for preparation. They review key anatomy and risks near the hiatus (including aorta, pleura, vagus nerves, short gastrics) and emphasize reading the H&P, communicating with the surgeon, and anticipating equipment needs. John walks through major laparoscopic steps and common variations, including hernia sac reduction, mediastinal dissection, crural closure (EndoStitch vs swedged-on needle), bougie sizing, mesh options, Penrose for esophageal retraction, and Nissen vs Toupet fundoplication, plus complications like dysphagia, gas bloat, and pneumothorax. Kelly adds robotic setup considerations such as docking, port placement, AirSeal, instrument choices, and liver retraction options. Robotic ApproachVideo by Dr. David Lourie:https://youtu.be/UfRGXkUY0ew?si=xAMjVgFa8Uzt95wg Robotic approach (SAGES) by Caitlin Houghton https://youtu.be/GbdQVAmRXro?si=XBzFY-kQCkHERqQV Laparoscopic Approach: https://youtu.be/7XmBH39KzcA?si=3JEHL42Vz7YDcQdx https://youtu.be/4_ED29Dt-Bg?si=2yzxZSelMW8gQh6H https://youtu.be/4_ED29Dt-Bg?si=USIUC5JT-4vn3g-x

  6. Jul 14

    Hernia Series Part 2: Ventral and Umbilical Hernias

    In this episode of the Surgical Assistant Podcast, John and Kelly break down ventral, umbilical, and incisional hernias from the surgical first assistant’s point of view, focusing on anatomy, how defects form, and why risk factors like obesity, pregnancy, smoking, diabetes, prior surgery, increased intra-abdominal pressure, and especially wound infection matter for recurrence and outcomes. They review common presentations (pain, bulge), the role of clinical exam and CT imaging, and clarify reducible vs incarcerated vs strangulated hernias and why urgent cases are about freeing compromised bowel. The discussion includes operative considerations such as exposure, protecting bowel, lysis of adhesions, defect measurement, mesh sizing and handling, suture choices, open primary vs open mesh repairs, and robotic positioning tips, plus a practical “vacuum pack/space bag” umbilical dressing technique to help reduce seroma formation.

  7. Jun 8

    59th Mattox Trauma Critical Care & Acute Care Surgery Conference Wrap Up

    Kelly and John discuss John’s experience attending the Maddox Trauma Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Conference and the Medical Disaster Response conference in Las Vegas, highlighting why these events are valuable for surgical assistants. John shares meeting Dr. Kenneth Maddox and keynote speaker Dr. Frank Butler, and explains how the conference offers cutting-edge trauma, acute care, and disaster-response education, panel Q&As, vendor innovations, and substantial CE opportunities. They cover practical logistics and cost-saving strategies such as early registration, requesting discounted rates, hotel deals, possible hospital reimbursement, and combining the trip with a vacation. John also notes key takeaways like ransomware preparedness, AI in the OR, ongoing debates such as REBOA, and recommends a reusable bowel suturing simulator from LifeLike BioTissue for at-home practice. For Information on the Mattox Conference: https://www.trauma-criticalcare.com/ For Lifelike 2 layer Bowel Simulated Tissue: https://lifelikebiotissue.com/

  8. Apr 29

    2026 Joint ASA/NSAA Conference in Atlanta, GA Recap

    John interviews co-host Kelly about her experience at the recent joint ASA/NSAA conference in Atlanta, which sold out with 173 attendees and over 200 including vendors. Kelly explains the typical conference flow, from Friday registration and optional pre-conference workshops to the State of the Association updates and keynote, followed by Saturday’s scientific sessions, vendor hall networking, and raffles. She shares highlights including a stapling technologies workshop with historical devices, standout vendor products like the SYLK incision dressing, and impactful talks on complex deformity correction, colorectal surgery, bariatric duodenal switch, wound closure principles, and neurosurgical considerations. Kelly notes strong professional energy, cross-mingling between organizations, progress toward unification under the American Academy of Surgical Assistants, and announces next year’s conference in Tampa, April 16–17, 2027.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to "The Surgical Assistant podcast," a podcast crafted by surgical assistants, for surgical assistants, where professionalism meets passion. Dive into a world dedicated to enhancing your career with episodes that emphasize the importance of continuing education and staying ahead with the latest clinical pro tips and tricks. Explore the exciting opportunities of traveling as a surgical assistant, while we candidly discuss the unique challenges faced in the field. Stay informed with updates on legislation that impacts your profession, and discover new product spotlights.

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