Monica Castaneda

I attribute my success to a combination of commitment, empathy, and a deep sense of responsibility to both my patients and my profession. Those values influence every aspect of my work—from prioritizing patient safety to striving for surgical excellence in every procedure. Determination and a dedication to lifelong learning have also played a significant role in my growth throughout my career, allowing me to continuously evolve alongside advancements in healthcare and surgery.

Precision has always been deeply important to me, not only as a surgical professional but as a person. In the operating room, even the smallest detail can directly impact a patient’s outcome, which is why I approach every task with focus, accountability, and care. That same unwavering commitment to patient safety and excellence now extends into my role as an educator, where I am passionate about preparing the next generation of surgical technologists to uphold the highest standards of integrity, skill, and compassion.

The best career advice I ever received came from a female surgeon during a time when I was feeling defeated and undermined by a male colleague in a trauma situation. The truth is, surgery highly male-dominated, in all aspects of the OR team, with the exception of operating room nurses. Female surgeons are very rare to come by, and I was blessed enough to have worked with a few. This particular female surgeon told me, "Keep your head up and just keep pushing on through. You can do whatever you want to do, and go as far as you want to go. The only one holding you back, is you." That advice has been etched into my spirit and helped me overcome so many challenges of working in male-dominated specialties, like Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Trauma.

If I was advising one of my female students, I would say to become an expert in your craft. Keep your head up high and continuous learning is extremely important. Be dedicated to elevating surgical standards and inspiring other women to lead with you. Lead with integrity, confidence, and compassion. Leave that lasting impact on a life and be proud of what you do. Hard work pays off. Medicine—especially surgery—has traditionally been a male-dominated field, and throughout my career in trauma and orthopedics, I’ve had to overcome the stigma of being a woman in those specialties. That’s why it’s incredibly meaningful to see that changing; reflecting the growing presence and strength of women in ALL surgical specialties.

Over the past 20 years in surgery, I’ve witnessed an incredible transformation in the operating room, especially with the rapid advancement of technology and the growing influence of AI in healthcare. When I first began my career, laparoscopic surgery—using cameras and minimally invasive techniques—was considered groundbreaking. Today, those procedures are routine, and we’re now working alongside robotic systems where surgeons operate from a console, using precise hand movements to control robotic instruments while the surgical team manages the sterile field and instrumentation directly at the bedside.

The pace of innovation continues to accelerate, and it’s exciting to see how technology is reshaping patient care and surgical outcomes. Having grown up with an analog childhood and transitioned into a digital adulthood, I often reflect on how dramatically the world has evolved within my lifetime alone. If surgery has advanced this much in the past two decades, it’s inspiring to imagine what the next generation of healthcare professionals will experience in the next twenty years.

At the same time, one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced throughout my career is working in a field that has historically been male-dominated—particularly orthopedics. Entering new surgical environments often meant having to prove myself with skills and experience over and over, simply because I was a woman. While those experiences strengthened me professionally, I hope to see continued progress toward greater representation, inclusion, and respect for allied health women in surgery, so future generations encounter fewer of those barriers.

The values that matter most to me are integrity, compassion, honesty, and discipline. I believe discipline is especially important, yet often overlooked in today’s world, despite being the foundation of consistency, accountability, and professional excellence. These values shape the way I approach every aspect of my life and career.

In the operating room, integrity and honesty are essential to maintaining patient trust, safety, and teamwork, while compassion reminds us that every procedure represents a person and a family placing their faith in our hands. As an educator, these same principles guide how I mentor and prepare the next generation of surgical technologists—not only to become skilled professionals, but also individuals who lead with empathy, responsibility, and ethical standards. I strive to embody these values daily, both professionally and personally, because I believe character is just as important as knowledge and skill.