This years OR Manager of the Year is Christine Halowell, MS, RN, CNOR, of Banner Baywood Medical Center. Every year during Managing Todays OR Suite, an OR Manager of the Year Award is presented to a deserving individual who has performed exceptionally in his or her management position. Christine Halowell has done just that for more than 10 years.
Halowell dedicated the past 10 years to Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz., where she successfully led the 10-OR perioperative department. When Halowell first came to Banner Baywood Medical Center, the OR was struggling with high turnover and low morale. Halowell quickly introduced a program that for the past nine years has helped raise retention and job satisfaction. Employee engagement scores are consistently "in the high to world-class range," the nomination for OR Manager of the Year noted. An integral part of that, she believes, is being visible in the department and showing an interest in each physician and staff member. "She encourages others to shine and finds ways to support the needs specific to each person," the nomination letter said.
During Managing Todays OR Suite, the OR Manager of the Year Award presentation and luncheon to honor Christine Halowell will be held on Thursday, Sept. 29 at noon. Managing Todays OR Suite will be held September 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Catching Up With Vangie Dennis, AORN 2022-2023 President at AORN 2024
March 26th 2024Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' (AORN’s) International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.
Weekly Rounds: Four Years of COVID-19, AORN 2024 Conference Coverage, and More
March 18th 2024Here are 5 highlights from Infection Control Today®'s (ICT®’s) wide-ranging coverage of the infection prevention and control world. Everything from interviews with known opinion leaders to the news that infection preventionists and other health care professionals can use on their jobs.
Empowering Safety: A Massachusetts General Hospital Team Is Pushing for Smoke-Free ORs
March 13th 2024At the AORN’s International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024, a team from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) showcased their transformative project, "Becoming Smoke-Free in the OR." This initiative underscored the critical need for smoke evacuation in surgical settings.
Hand Hygiene Practices in the Operating Room: A Collaborative Endeavor
March 13th 2024As explained on a poster at AORN 2024, perioperative nurses and infection preventionists unite in a proactive campaign to elevate hand hygiene within the operating room, resulting in improved adherence, decreased infections, and fortified patient outcomes.