Thankful for Our Frontline Stars: Spotlight on Susan Bridgeman

We’re using this month of November as a time to reflect on the people who make a real impact. At Surgical Solutions, we’re grateful every day for our frontline teams. They are the dedicated professionals who keep surgical services running smoothly, safely, and with heart in our partner hospitals and facilities across our nation.

In every hospital, there are unseen hands making sure surgeries start on time, instruments are safe, and patients are protected long before a case begins. For Surgical Solutions, the behind-the-scenes heroes are our frontline employees who ensure operating rooms run efficiently and that patient care remains at the center of everything we do. While we cannot spotlight all of them, we can shine a light on those who make a difference to better illustrate the importance of what we are accomplishing every day. 

For this, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on someone who embodies leadership, compassion, and excellence:

Susan Bridgeman, CST, CRCST, CER who is our Lead Technician, Clinical Preceptor, and Subject Matter Expert (SME).

A Leader, a Teacher, and a Constant Support to Her Team

Susan brings years of medical experience to her role, and after returning to school to become a Certified Surgical Technologist, she found her calling in the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of surgical services.

At Surgical Solutions, she leads an incredible team that plays an essential role across the Operating Room, Sterile Processing Department, and Endoscopy Department. Beyond her leadership, Susan also serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for SCMP—supporting digital operations, troubleshooting issues, coordinating training, and collaborating across departments to ensure seamless communication and continuous improvement.

In simple terms: if the team needs it, Susan is already working on it.

Behind the Scenes: Driving Digital Operations as an SME

As a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for SCMP, Susan plays a key role in strengthening operations across our partner hospital's entire digital ecosystem. Her SME work includes:

• Supporting and guiding digital operations through SCMP

• Troubleshooting issues for Site Leads and Technicians

• Coordinating training and retraining across sites

• Ensuring clean, consistent data management

• Collaborating with the SCMP team to enhance communication

• Helping streamline digital workflows across both SCMP and SAP

SCMP (Surgical Case Management Platform) is Surgical Solutions’ digital operations system that helps streamline workflows, track tasks, support technicians, and ensure accurate communication and data across departments.

Susan's ability to blend technical expertise with frontline experience makes her a trusted resource across multiple departments. Whether she’s helping a technician navigate a digital workflow issue or aligning processes across various teams, Susan is one of the people who keeps the engine running smoothly, even when most never see her work.

Driven by Patient Care

When asked what motivates her, Susan’s answer is immediate:

“The patients motivate me.”

- Susan Bridgeman

She loves patient care, and she sees her team’s work for what it truly is: an essential part of ensuring that every patient and every surgical team has what they need for a safe and successful surgery. Whether it’s OR readiness, instrument quality, or anticipating needs before anyone asks, Susan and her team are always looking ahead.

The Work You Don’t See, but Should

Much of Susan’s work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt everywhere.

“We strive to help everywhere we can. Even behind the scenes.”

- Susan Bridgeman

From supporting hospital staff during busy cases to ensuring every workflow detail is correct, Susan’s team is woven into the fabric of patient care.

Proud Moments: Celebrating the Success of Others

Like many great leaders, Susan’s proudest moments aren’t about herself. They’re about her team.

She beams with pride when she hears a surgeon or hospital staff member say the team is doing an amazing job. She’s confident in her team’s dedication and the care they put into every step, from preparing the OR to cleaning and managing instruments.

“It is all about the patient.”

- Susan Bridgeman

What Others Say About Susan

Her leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed. Hospital staff, hospital leaders, and her own team regularly highlight the difference she makes:

• “We need you and your team; you do an amazing job.” – Hospital Leadership
• “Things are so much better since you took over leadership at this hospital.” – Hospital Staff
• “Surgical Solutions is the best job I have ever had, and you are the best boss I have ever had.” – Current Surgical Solutions Employee
• “Susan, Judith, and Samantha are all great team players that make our jobs easier and the patients’ surgeries run smoothly. Thank you for all you do!” – Melanie, Perioperative Clinical Coordinator, Frankfort Regional Medical Center

These words say it all: Susan brings excellence, consistency, and heart to everything she does.

Susan is one of the many reasons Surgical Solutions continues to improve efficiency, strengthen partnerships, and support better patient outcomes. We’re honored to have her on our team and grateful for the impact she makes each day.

Looking Ahead: The Kind of Leader Who Shapes the Future

Leaders like Susan set the standard for frontline excellence by combining clinical skill, digital operations expertise, and a deep commitment to patient care. Her ability to guide her team, support cross-functional digital workflows, and serve as a reliable partner to hospital staff is exactly what strengthens our relationships with facilities across the country.

As Surgical Solutions continues to grow and innovate, leaders like Susan help shape our future by creating more efficient workflows, stronger hospital partnerships, and better outcomes for every patient.

Thank you, Susan, for the incredible impact you make each day. And thank you to all of our frontline staff who work tirelessly to support safe, successful surgeries for every patient.

Thank you, Susan!  And thank you to all our frontline staff who work tirelessly to support safe, successful surgeries for every patient.

Do you need a “Susan” on your team? Let’s talk about how Surgical Solutions can help your OR run more efficiently and support better patient care. Contact us!