5 Things You Should Know About the Ambulatory Surgical Unit

ASU colleagues share why they love working in the operating rooms at LVH–17th and Chew

Glenda Garza, R.N.

1. We’re the best kept secret at LVH–17th and Chew. “Often, people are surprised to hear just how much we do in the ambulatory surgical unit,” says operating room veteran of 20 years Carolyn Harlan, R.N. “Our team of 135 clinicians—from the operating room, recovery, staging, pre-admission, processing, short-stay hospital and sterile processing—performs outpatient surgeries like hysterectomies, tonsillectomies, breast biopsies and carpal tunnel releases.” When the unit opened 12 years ago, “we doubted there would be a large need for outpatient surgeries,” Harlan says. “But now, medical advancements allow people to go home within hours after surgeries that used to require days of inpatient recovery.”

2. We may be “older,” but we have years and years of experience. Most members of our staff have been here for more than 10 years, and have already celebrated their 40th birthdays. “We joke the Center for Healthy Aging is at LVH–17th and Chew just for our benefit,” says director Glenda Garza, R.N. (left), who was mentored by former director Ginny Kovalovich, R.N., to lead the unit. “In all seriousness, we bring a high level of experience and professionalism to our work. Forty-three percent of our team holds certifications in our specialties, and 33 percent holds bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate degrees.

3. “My colleagues supported me when, at age 49, I adopted two infant girls.” Eight years ago, Linda Smith, R.N. (top left), made a life-changing decision to adopt Ariey (bottom left), and later Ariey’s sister, Jacara (top right). “They have several health problems, so I sometimes need to switch shifts to accommodate their medical appointments,” Smith says. “Everyone has been great. I work with the most compassionate, caring people.” Her colleagues like Carolyn Steigler (bottom right) have “adopted” the girls, too, giving them birthday gifts and hanging photos of them on their lockers beside photos of their own children.

4. We give ourselves a daily dose of laughter. We believe laughter is important, and making us laugh often are the “Diaz sisters.” Sue Verhauz, R.N. (left), and Judy Wippel, R.N. (Diaz is their maiden name), have been fixtures in the operating rooms at LVH–17th and Chew for 33 years. “Because we look so much alike, our patients and colleagues often confuse us,” Wippel says. “Some people even think I’m able to be in two places at once.”

5. Our overall patient satisfaction scores are 92 or greater. We continually strive to enhance our patients’ experiences. “With our years of experience, we know what’s important: to treat our patients and each other well,” says Steigler, R.N., an operating room nurse for 28 years. “Also, most of us have been patients, so we understand their needs.”

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