Lisa Lasswell is the Pre-Op Coordinator for the Perioperative Department. She is the "first face" for every surgical patient seen in the Main Operating Room and is literally a "one-man-band" assuming every aspect of preparation and patient care for surgical patients from the moment they are scheduled for surgery until they are discharged and/or admitted following their procedures. Lisa's singular vision for the Pre-Op clinic is always high-quality patient care for the Veterans. She spends countless hours on the phone and in the patient portal preparing the patients for surgery. She answers questions, speaks to family members, arranges transportation and lodging when necessary, and most importantly places the Veteran's minds at ease regarding the very unique environment of the Operating Room, which can be a very daunting prospect for the patients.

The level of trust in her is reflected in the many accolades she has continuously received during her tenure in the Pre-Op clinic which spans many years. Surgical patients require a very collaborative approach and Lisa has mastered this application in her daily process, working closely with HCAS, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Specialty Clinics, and Social Work, as well as interdepartmentally with the staff from Same Day Surgery and PACU. At the 48-hour mark, she is in constant contact with the veterans ensuring the pre-op checklist has no gaps to avoid any day of cancellations to the surgical schedule. Everyone looks to her and her work is impeccable.

With the implementation of the Cerner EHR, Lisa, like many Mann-Grandstaff employees has had to completely retool and reimagine how to process surgical patients using Cerner. The electronic record has presented overwhelming challenges, and Lisa has spent days/weeks and even months in some cases creating worklists, spreadsheets, and workarounds with the goal of how to serve the Veteran in front of her without disruption to them. Her creativity and resourcefulness are evident given that as a department, we are now back to full patient utilization in both her clinic and the OR, all thanks to her diligence, tenacity, and incredible work ethic. Simply put, without Lisa, there is no Surgery Department. She is at the heart of our mission to provide safe, reliable, high-quality surgical procedures to Veterans. She touches every aspect from "wheels in to wheels out", and I could not imagine a scenario without her expertise.