First Case Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Beyond the Cut: Navigating Bias & Justice in the OR May 19, 2025

Show notes

What happens when the patient on your OR table is an inmate —or a victim of violent crime? 👮‍♂️

This week, we sit down with David Bowman, faculty with the School of Legal Studies at South College in Tennessee, to explore the legal, ethical, and emotional challenges of treating these patients. From chain of custody to managing personal bias, this episode is a must-listen for every perioperative professional.

#FirstCasePodcast #PerioperativeNursing #TraumaCare #SurgicalTeam #LegalStudies #PatientCare #NursingEducation

StreetClothes: The Beekeeper May 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the StreetClothes podcast series, we talk to a healthcare professional whose passion project is generating some serious buzz in his own backyard! With 31 hives and counting, this busy bee has discovered the joy—minus the occasional sting—and the liquid gold rewards of working with nature's busiest pollinators.

Tune in to hear how Cody Troutt's adventures in beekeeping bring the sweetest kind of work-life balance to life beyond the hospital…

If you like this series OR have an interesting side-hustle, passion project, or hobby you do outside of your hospital day job that keeps you inspired, refreshed, and motivated, we'd love to hear from you! Message Hank Balch on LinkedIn for a chance to come on the show and share it with the world!

#StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

Beyond the Cut: Bridging the Generation Gap May 12, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode of First Case, perioperative consultant Vangie Dennis joins us to explore how generational differences impact patient care. From Traditionalists to Gen Z, each group brings unique values, communication styles, and expectations into the surgical setting. Learn how to tailor your approach, improve patient engagement, and avoid common missteps across the generational spectrum.

#operatingroom #perioperative #perioperativenurse #generationalcare #podcast #ornurse #nurse #scrubtech #surgicaltech

Who Was Florence Nightingale? May 07, 2025

Show notes

Beyond the Cut: Improving Outcomes Through Inclusive Care May 05, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode of First Case, we sit down with JD Buchert, Director of Workforce Safety at Parkland Health in Dallas, TX, to discuss the unique challenges transgender patients face as they navigate the healthcare setting. Did you know that over 70% of transgender individuals turn to emergency departments for care, often due to discrimination or harassment in other medical spaces? In this powerful discussion, JD highlights the importance of using gender-affirming language and treating each patient with respect, leaving biases at the door. He shares how inclusive care not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces overall healthcare costs. Tune in to learn how to create a safe, compassionate environment for everyone.

#operatingroom #ornurse #surgicaltechnologist #perioperative #perioperativenurse

StreetClothes: The Doula May 04, 2025

Show notes

On this episode 4 of the StreetClothes podcast, we talk to Lindsay Brown, a Minnesota clinician who has a passion project unlike any other! Not only does she know where babies come from (every child's eternal question), she also knows how clinical expertise beautifully combines with nurturing care during life's very first moments.

Tune in to hear how Linds's work as a doula brings comfort and advocacy to the birthing experience outside of her 9-5 healthcare role...

#StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

Beyond the Cut: Cultivating Cultural Competence Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Delivering truly patient-centered care requires cultural awareness and sensitivity. In this week's episode of First Case, Charlie Lin, Nurse Practitioner and First Assist at Stanford Children's Pediatric Otolaryngology, shares key considerations for providing culturally competent surgical care to Asian patients. Learn how to recognize cultural differences, navigate family dynamics, and enhance communication to improve patient outcomes and foster trust in the perioperative setting.

#operatingroom #ornurse #surgicaltechnology #scrubtech #FirstCasePodcast #CulturalCompetence #PerioperativeCare

Beyond the Cut: Through the Eyes of the Patient Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, we're changing our focus, and seeing the operating room through the eyes of the patient. Becca Kinney—a former sterile processing technician, medical sales representative, and now entrepreneur—joins us to share her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor.

With a clinical background and firsthand experience undergoing multiple surgeries, Becca offers a unique and deeply moving perspective on surgical care. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges of her diagnosis and treatment, the value of clear communication and compassionate care, and how even the smallest gestures from caregivers can have a lasting impact.

Her story is a powerful reminder that behind every procedure is a person who is scared, vulnerable, and in need of connection. Tune in for an episode that underscores the importance of empathy, anticipatory guidance, and truly seeing our patients as people.

#operatingroom #perioperativenurse #surgicaltechnologist #perioperative #FirstCasePodcast #BreastCancerAwareness #PatientExperience #PerioperativeCare #SurgicalTeam #HealthcareProfessionals #SterileProcessing #EmpathyInMedicine

StreetClothes: The Chicken Tenders Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

On this episode 3 of our brand new StreetClothes human-interest podcast series, we talk to two healthcare professionals who have a passion project that's far from fowl play! Not only have they created their own backyard flock of feathered friends, they've also cracked the code for beating those sky-high egg prices!

Tune in to hear how Sean Weir & Stacey Gielen became known as the "Chicken Tenders" and how these quirky birds bring sustainable joy to their lives outside the hospital...

#StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

Intentionality in Surgical Technology Instruction Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

In this week's article, we're diving into the power of purposeful teaching with "Intentionality in Surgical Technology Instruction" originally written by First Case co-host Chris Blevins, CST, FAST.

From creating hands-on, realistic lab experiences to flipping the classroom for deeper engagement, this episode highlights how surgical technology educators can shape confident, competent future CSTs through intentional and reflective instruction.

Whether you teach in the lab or lecture in the classroom, this one's for you. Don't miss these insights that go beyond skill-building to foster professionalism, critical thinking, and advocacy for our surgical tech students.

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Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#SurgicalTechnology #PeriopEducation #FirstCasePodcast #OREducation #CST #SurgTechInstructor #ArticlesOnTheGo

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