Shantel Berwald, a trailblazer in sterile processing leadership, shares her journey from surgical tech to SPD director and reveals how she's transforming department culture. Through personal experiences and practical insights, she demonstrates how effective leadership in sterile processing balances technical expertise with people-focused management and strategic vision.
• Journey from surgical tech to SPD director through hands-on learning and curiosity
• Describes leadership style as "disruptive in the best way possible" - focusing on efficiency and patient safety
• Emphasizes the technical complexity and scientific foundation of sterile processing that often goes unrecognized
• Predicts culture shift as the next major evolution in SPD, particularly in OR-SPD relationships
• Advocates for quality over quantity and slowing down to ensure attention to detail
• Shares experiences designing the new Critical Care Tower with one-way flow and future-focused capacity
• Maintained team motivation during renovations through transparency and hands-on leadership
• Builds vendor partnerships based on clear expectations, mutual respect, and patient-centered collaboration
• Involves frontline technicians in equipment decisions through trials and collaborative problem-solving
• Advises new leaders to establish boundaries while finding common ground focused on patient outcomes
Connect with Shantel on LinkedIn or in SPD Facebook groups to continue the conversation about leadership in sterile processing.
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