Stacey E Brown
Stacey Brown is a seasoned healthcare leader and former Sterile Processing Manager with more than 37 years of experience spanning surgical technology, sterile processing, and healthcare administration. A proud graduate of Purdue University Global, where she earned her Master of Health Care Administration, Stacey combines deep clinical expertise with advanced leadership training.
She began her career serving as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy, where she was first introduced to surgical technology—a path that would shape decades of service in the operating room and beyond. Her professional foundation as a Certified Surgical Technologist laid the groundwork for a career defined by precision, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to patient safety.
Over the course of her career, Stacey played a pivotal role in advancing surgical services, including helping establish the Open-Heart Program at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Florida—an initiative that significantly expanded cardiac care capabilities and improved surgical outcomes. She served in sterile processing leadership at Flagler Hospital for eight years before transitioning to Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Florida, where she served as the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) Manager. In that role, she oversaw instrumentation lifecycle management, sterility assurance, supply chain coordination, and regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to AAMI, CDC, OSHA, AORN, and Joint Commission standards. Her leadership emphasized operational excellence, evidence-based protocols, and cross-functional collaboration to support safe and efficient surgical care.
Stacey’s professional philosophy centers on the belief that patient safety begins with precision behind the scenes. Known for her mindset of “stay ready, always be ready,” she fosters a culture of preparedness, accountability, and continuous improvement—making regulatory inspections and accreditation surveys structured and manageable processes.
A Certified Surgical Technologist, Certified Healthcare Leader, Certified Instrument Specialist, and Certified Registered Central Service Technician, Stacey is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Healthcare Administration at National University.
Looking ahead, she plans to transition into university-level teaching, with a focus on surgical technology, sterile processing, and healthcare administration. Through academia, she aims to share her extensive clinical, operational, and leadership experience to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals in regulatory compliance, systems thinking, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care.
• From Compliance to Culture: A Leadership Approach to Safety Governance
• Prudue University, MHA
• ACHE
• AUPHA
• HSPA
• Believers House of Worship Word of God Ministry Womens Group
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to leading a well-trained, highly prepared team and drawing on many years of hands-on experience managing and developing technical staff. My leadership approach is grounded in collaboration, continuous learning, and ensuring that my team has the tools, training, and support they need to perform at their best. I am deeply grateful for the mentors who have guided me, the surgeons and clinical partners who have trusted and challenged me to grow, and the unwavering support of my husband, family, and friends. Their encouragement, accountability, and belief in my vision have strengthened my resilience and reinforced my commitment to excellence in patient care.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to always keep God first in my life and allow my faith to guide my decisions, especially in moments of uncertainty or pressure. Grounding my work in purpose and integrity has shaped how I lead and serve others. I also carry with me advice from a respected surgeon early in my career who told me, “Always pay attention to detail—every detail matters and counts when it concerns patient care.” That wisdom reinforced the responsibility we carry behind the scenes. In healthcare, precision is not optional; it is a safeguard for lives. Together, faith and attention to detail have become the foundation of my leadership philosophy.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering this industry is to define your own purpose and never allow others to determine your worth or your destiny. You alone are responsible for validating who you are and what you are capable of becoming. When you allow others to define your path, your peace and happiness can easily be overshadowed by their expectations. Stay confident in your calling, invest in your skills, and never underestimate the value you bring to the table.
Most importantly, keep your focus on God and allow Him to direct your steps. There will be challenges, long days, and unexpected storms, but faith provides strength and clarity when circumstances feel overwhelming. Keep your eyes on God during both success and struggle. He will guide you through every season, and in moments when you feel weak, He will sustain you. Purpose, preparation, and faith will carry you farther than fear ever could.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is keeping hospitals and sterile processing departments compliant with regulatory agencies like The Joint Commission and maintaining inspection-ready processes at all times. This also creates an opportunity to strengthen staff training, standardize best practices, and reinforce a culture focused on patient safety and continuous compliance.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value most important to me in both my work and personal life is my faith in God. My faith is the foundation that guides my decisions, shapes my character, and anchors me during both success and adversity. It influences how I lead, how I serve, and how I treat others—with integrity, humility, and purpose.
In addition to faith, I deeply value preparedness, accountability, and attention to detail. Being prepared creates confidence and stability, accountability builds trust, and strong attention to detail ensures excellence—especially when patient safety is at stake. I am also grounded by the love and support of my husband and family, who keep me centered and remind me of what truly matters. Finally, I believe in staying true to who I am and not allowing others to define my identity or limit my potential. Leading with faith, authenticity, and discipline allows me to serve both professionally and personally with clarity and conviction.
Locations
Healthcare
Jacksonville, FL 32220