Submit presentation proposal for OR Manager Conference 2023 by Dec. 15

Editor's Note

The OR Manager Conference program committee is seeking presentation proposals for the 2023 conference, to be held September 18–20 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Perioperative leaders who have experience or a story to share in the following categories are encouraged to submit a proposal by December 15, 2022. The list of topic areas by category includes:

• Business
• Leadership
• New manager education
• Clinical education
• PACU/Perianesthesia
• Ambulatory surgery center (ASC)

BENEFITS OF SPEAKING: This is an optimal opportunity to showcase the success of your facility, a beneficial partnership, and your skills as a leader! Top five reasons to speak:

1. Showcase your knowledge as a subject matter expert.
2. Your name will be published in the OR Manager Conference program, website, and marketing materials leading up to the event.
3. Meet with OR Manager editors for an opportunity for your story to be featured by OR Manager.
4. Complimentary All-Access conference registration for you and one co-presenter.
5. Explore Nashville. Enjoy the benefits of speaking to make your education vacation most economical!

Interested in speaking, but need a little more time to submit your abstract? Please contact Carrie Shapiro, CMP, senior conference manager, at cshapiro@accessintel.com, with your name, title, organization, email, phone number, and the topic/title of your proposed session. Also reach out if you have any questions or would like to learn more about speaking at the conference.

Additional presentation topics not addressed below are happily welcomed by the program committee. Presentation proposals can be made here.

SESSION TOPIC AREAS BY CATEGORY

Business

Perioperative leaders are in need of business and finance education to improve process and efficiency, understand budgeting strategies, gain buy-in from senior leadership, and navigate the current financial landscape of the healthcare industry.

Leadership

Leaders are facing challenges every day – from staffing and retention to workplace safety to standards/regulations – and your experience and expertise is vital to the cultivation of a positive and flourishing work environment. As new OR leaders emerge, your guidance is key to ensuring optimal outcomes.

New Manager

As evidenced by the volume of new OR managers at the 2022 OR Manager Conference, there is an abundance of new OR leaders who are in need of education to succeed in their roles. In the current healthcare landscape, more and more tenured leaders are retiring, and new leaders are stepping up to fill their roles.

Clinical

Optimal patient outcomes are among the most important aspects of running an effective perioperative suite. Leaders need to have an understanding clinical best practices to better support their teams, create preceptorship plans, and maintain high standards of care.

PACU/Perianesthesia

Those involved in the PACU share similar responsibilities as those involved in overall perioperative services; however, there are areas of education unique to the perianesthesia unit that require a deeper dive into management and improvement of the department.

ASC

Based on attendee feedback, the 2023 OR Manager Conference plans to expand upon ASC content, taking a deeper, more targeted dive into how to improve operations and patient care within the outpatient environment.

The OR Manager Conference brings together managers and directors involved in leading the surgical suite for four days of continuing education and networking opportunities. The conference builds on the content developed in each issue of OR Manager, a monthly print and digital publication, providing attendees with a live learning experience. Attendees can earn CEs, AEUs, and explore new technologies with more than 140 solution providers.

At OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, the OR is a hub of constant activity—but like many hospitals, valuable minutes were being lost to unused block time, last-minute cancellations, and disconnected scheduling workflows. Instead of accepting those inefficiencies, the team set out to redesign how surgical time was managed. By combining AI-powered tools, structured governance, and a culture shift toward transparency and shared accountability, the team built a system that’s scalable, data-driven, and surgeon-friendly.

In this session, you’ll hear how Grant turned reactive scheduling into a proactive, data-driven system—and how they’re sustaining results over time.

Learn how their team:

• Increased block utilization by 3% YoY and freed up 18,100 fewer minutes of unused block time
• Captured 148,000 additional OR minutes since go-live
• Backfilled 43% of released time with cases from other surgeons
• Engaged nearly 1,900 surgeons through smarter workflows and improved visibility

This isn’t just about more minutes, it’s about building trust, efficiency, and a system that works better for everyone in the OR.

Meet the Speaker: 

Joel Shaw, MD, is the Vice President of Clinical Affairs at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. With over 24 years of experience in the medical field, he specializes in family medicine and sports medicine. Dr. Shaw has dedicated 16 years to Graduate Medical Education, focusing on developing future physicians through innovative educational tools and executive coaching. His commitment extends to addressing healthcare disparities and improving diversity in medical recruitment and talent sponsorship.

Join Phyllis S. Quinlan, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, President/CEO of MFW Consultants to Professionals, as she shares her insights on one of the more pressing challenges for leaders in the 21st Century: managing change in the face of persistent uncertainty. Today’s leaders must adopt an agile, flexible mindset to be prepared to address the ever-changing events in today’s world. Change management is an essential skill for any leader in healthcare. However, how do you support a change-weary staff as they try to respond to the need to adjust their practice and modify systems without creating cynicism and weakening morale? This session will provide a frank discussion and present practical approaches to building staff fortitude in an unpredictable, ever-changing industry.

When: Wednesday, August 27, 12:00pm ET 

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of understanding the effects of persistent uncertainty and its impact on your staff.
• Explain why today’s leader needs to adopt a Pioneer Spirit.
• Construct an outline that features the elements of effective, sustainable Change Management

Meet the Speaker: 

Dr. Phyllis Quinlan, PhD, RN, NPD-BC is President of MFW Consultants & a successful nurse entrepreneur. She is a healthcare consultant and has practiced as a Legal Nurse Consultant specializing in defense since 2004. During her nursing career, Phyllis has held positions in clinical, education & administrative positions in a variety of practice venues.

She is a Certified Professional Coach by the International Coaching Federation and is a Fellow of the Institute of Coaching. Phyllis uses the tools of emotional intelligence, applied positive psychology, and character strength building when working with her clients.

In 2023, an expert group was established to develop clear guidance on surgical gloving practice from the existing literature. Their goal was to formulate recommendations to improve the safety, protection, and experience of healthcare providers and their patients. The expert panel members were assigned to one of four focus areas: Glove Fit, Double Gloving, Indicator Systems, and Glove Damage and Change Protocol; with each group conducting a systematic review of the evidence.

The 2025 Edition of the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice emphasizes the importance of providing a climate of safety with evidence-based practices. Surgical gloves play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of both patients and practitioners. Efforts continue to establish standardized best gloving practices, supported by evidenced-based recommendations. These standardized guidelines aim to enhance clinical outcomes, improve safety, and support hand health and career longevity.

This program will provide the attendee with an overview of how these two bodies of practice align with current recommendations for practice guidelines on surgical gloving.

Speakers: 

Chad Flora BSN, RN, CNOR, is a Clinical Director for the Surgical Glove Business Area at Mölnlycke Health Care. In addition to leading the U.S. Clinical Specialist Team, his responsibilities include clinical education, program development, and assisting with research and development initiatives.

Leah Goldberg MSN, RN, CNOR is the Clinical Nurse OR, Bone and Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital. She works in the operating room at the Bone and Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital and created Acorn Nurse Consulting, LLC to continue her passion for developing knowledge and resources for perioperative staff. She was honored as an AORN Emerging Leader Under 40 in 2012 and 2024. She received AORN’s Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education: Clinical Award in 2025.

“What’s our cost per case?”

“Can Dr. Smith’s office take our open time this week?”

“Can you update all our preference cards today?”

If you’re having trouble answering these questions, don’t miss this webinar. Using digital preference cards and OR scheduling tools, you’ll see how more accessible data can empower your team.

In this session, surgical business managers will discover strategies for reducing costs per case, optimizing labor utilization, and keeping ORs from idling. Nurses will discover time-saving strategies for preference card management and room turnover.

With real-world insights from the OR, viewers will leave with actionable solutions to streamline processes and drive measurable improvements in their surgical department.

Aileen R. Killen, RN, PhD, CPPS is the Director, Perioperative Excellence at LiveData. In her role, she collaborates with LiveData on strategies for adoption and utilization of PeriOp Manager, a surgical workflow solution. In addition to holding perioperative leadership positions in some of the country’s leading medical facilities, including New York University Medical Center, The Hospital for Special Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Aileen was also heavily involved in the patient safety arena as an AHA-NPSF Patient Safety Leadership Fellow, where she focused on designing operating rooms for patient and staff safety. In 2014, she was appointed as Global Head of Healthcare Consulting at AIG, where she established AIG as a safety thought leader across the global healthcare industry. Aileen earned a diploma in nursing from Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing and a BSN from DeSales University, both in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She holds an MS in Nursing from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management from New York University, and a PhD from Boston College School of Nursing.

 

Ethan Nobbs is the CEO of PREFcards LLC., a leading SaaS health tech company dedicated to transforming healthcare operations through innovative technology solutions. With a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, Ethan brings over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in operations management across diverse business environments.

Throughout their career, Ethan has built and led high-performance teams, delivering results in P&L management, marketing, business development, operations, and supply chain. This diverse experience has enabled him to navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry and lead PREFcards with the goal to empower healthcare organizations with cutting-edge solutions that streamline OR workflows, enhance efficiency, and drive measurable impact.
 

Join a distinguished panel of healthcare leaders as they explore the pivotal trends shaping perioperative strategy in 2025. Janet Stifter, PhD, RN, CPHQ, NE-BC, Vice President of Hospital Operations for Perioperative and Interventional Services, Rush University Medical Center, Dio Sumagaysay, RN, MS, Vice President, Perioperative & Multispecialty Procedural Services, OHSU, and Brian Dawson, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, President and CEO of BD Perioperative and Healthcare Consulting, Former System Vice President of Perioperative Services, CommonSpirit Health, will offer an incisive analysis of 2024’s key lessons and share forward-looking strategies and predictions to drive innovation and success in the year ahead.

This dynamic discussion will challenge traditional approaches, highlight transformative advancements, and deliver actionable insights for navigating the evolving perioperative landscape.

Key Topics:

• Critical reflections on 2024: Insights into successes, setbacks, and operational changes that shaped 2024.
• Emerging trends: Predictions on clinical advancements and technological innovations, market shifts and workforce dynamics poised to impact perioperative operations in the coming years.
• Actionable insights: Strategic discussion on expectations for 2025 and approaches to improving patient outcomes while strengthening financial performance.

Speakers:

Dr. Janet Stifter, PhD, RN, CPHQ, NE-BC, is the Vice President of Hospital Operations for Perioperative and Interventional Services and Professional Nursing Practice at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. With over 30 years of nursing leadership, she is a champion for quality, safety, and evidence-based care. Dr. Stifter’s career spans accreditation, regulatory compliance, professional development, and advancing technology to enhance patient care. She has shared insights on reducing the cognitive burden of complex health technologies, drawing from RUMC’s successful implementations. Renowned for her leadership in perioperative nursing, she focuses on professional growth and using innovation to improve outcomes in complex cases.

Dr. Stifter holds a PhD and BS in Nursing from the University of Illinois Chicago and an MS in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

Dio Sumagaysay, RN, MS, is the Vice President of Perioperative & Multi-Specialty Procedural Services at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon. In this role, he partners with CNOs and COOs across OHSU system hospitals, including OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center and Adventist Health Portland, to advance surgical care, nursing practice, and strategic priorities. Before joining OHSU, Dio spent 11 years in administrative roles as Director of Nursing, Perioperative Services at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, and Director of Surgical Services at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas in San Diego. He also served seven years in clinical and leadership roles at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah.

Dio holds a BS in Nursing from the University of St. La Salle, Philippines, and an MS in Nursing Administration from New York University.

Brian Dawson, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, is the President and CEO of BD Perioperative and Healthcare Consulting, LLC, providing expert guidance to clients such as Sutter Solano Hospital, Keck Hospital of USC, and St. Joseph Medical Center of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Previously, he served nearly seven years as System VP of Perioperative Services at CommonSpirit Health, where he led strategic and operational initiatives for perioperative services across 120 hospitals. Under his leadership, surgical volumes grew by 35%, and surgical services expanded by 20%.

A Naval veteran, Brian’s roles included COO of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune and CEO of the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan, the Navy’s largest overseas medical facility. He holds a BS in Nursing from American University and an MS in Nursing Administration/Leadership with honors from Old Dominion University.

 

Rami Karjian is the Head of OR Business at LeanTaaS. He began his journey in healthcare with McKinsey & Co, working together with health systems to improve patient flow across different areas of their hospitals. After a few years in the US, he moved to Asia to lead the Firm’s Service Operations practice in the region.

After over a decade with McKinsey based in the US and Asia, working with clients across the globe, Rami wanted the challenge and learning of directly taking on a scaled operating role. He joined Flextronics, as President of their Global Services division (the leading high-tech repair and logistics company globally). In that role, he led a business of 15,000 employees with operations in 25 sites across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In addition to driving a transformation of that $1B+ revenue business he also incubated and spun-out a supply-chain SaaS company.

Moderators: 

Carrie Shapiro, CMP is the Senior Conference Manager for the OR Manager Conference and OR Business Management Conference. She has more than 25 years of experience in business-to-business media organizing trade shows, conferences and industry events.

Tarsilla Moura is the Content Director for OR Manger, OR Manager Conference and OR Business Management Conference.

Register now by completing the form below. Following the webinar, you will be able to take an evaluation and receive 1 CE.

Register now by completing the form below. Following the webinar, you will be able to take an evaluation and receive 1 CE

A High-Reliability Organization (HRO) is an organization that experiences fewer accidents or events of harm than otherwise anticipated, despite operating in a complicated and risky environment. Many healthcare organizations aspire to become HROs.

Periop teams play an essential role in advocating and implementing the HRO agenda. Applying HRO principles to daily functions in the operating room is a way to safeguard patient safety, even during moments of considerable change or disruption in the surgical suite.

This session offers a blueprint for periop staff desiring to integrate high reliability principles into their workflows. Our clinical nursing experts will review each of the five foundational principles of HROs. They’ll provide strategies and examples as to how each principle can be applied within the OR to impact care in a positive way.

Aileen R. Killen, RN, PhD, CPPS is the Director, Perioperative Excellence at LiveData. In her role, she collaborates with LiveData on strategies for adoption and utilization of PeriOp Manager, a surgical workflow solution. In addition to holding perioperative leadership positions in some of the country’s leading medical facilities, including New York University Medical Center, The Hospital for Special Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Aileen was also heavily involved in the patient safety arena as an AHA-NPSF Patient Safety Leadership Fellow, where she focused on designing operating rooms for patient and staff safety.

Jeffrey Oliver, Lt Col, Ret., CCNS, CNOR has over 30 years of nursing experience and has served in a variety of nursing roles throughout his career. He was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1995. He was deployed three times during his twenty-five-year career. Jeff was assigned as faculty at the Uniformed Services University Graduate School of Nursing and served as the Perioperative Nursing Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General before retiring from the Air Force in March 2021. Jeff then served as the Director of Surgical Services at a community hospital in South Carolina before joining LiveData as a Clinical Support Specialist.