Director of Surgical Services
Mindy Gouge
Norton Women And Children's Hospital
Greenville,IN
1
Certification
39
years of professional experience
Director of Surgical Services with deep experience leading perioperative teams, improving patient safety, and managing surgical workflow. Known for staff development, performance improvement, and strong financial oversight.
Work History
Director of Surgical Services
5 Years 7 Months- Directed surgical services operations to support perioperative workflow, staffing, and patient flow.
- Coordinated surgeon, anesthesia, and nursing teams to support efficient case scheduling and room preparation.
- Monitored compliance with hospital policies, infection prevention standards, and regulatory requirements across surgical units.
- Assisted with budget planning, supply oversight, and resource allocation for surgical service departments.
- Tracked quality indicators and patient safety practices to support continuous improvement in surgical outcomes.
- Coached charge nurses and supervisors to strengthen accountability, consistency, and service-line leadership skills.
- Partnered with administration to align surgical service goals with organizational priorities and growth initiatives.
- Interviewed, hired, evaluated and terminated management and support staff.
- Reviewed financial reports, made modifications to reduce costs and identified sound alternatives for purchasing equipment and supplies.
- Chaired committees, work groups and meetings.
- Managed financial resources, establishing budgets and monitoring expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility in the department.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing advanced surgical techniques and equipment.
- Coached, mentored and supported managers, colleagues and staff.
Manager
5 Years 9 Months- Directed daily department operations, ensuring workflow alignment with patient care standards and regulatory requirements.
- Supervised staff scheduling, performance feedback, and coverage planning to maintain consistent service delivery.
- Streamlined operational processes to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and support patient experience goals.
- Coordinated compliance monitoring, supporting accreditation readiness and policy adherence across assigned areas.
- Collaborated with physicians, nursing teams, and support services to resolve issues and improve care coordination.
- Managed budget oversight, expense tracking, and resource planning to support responsible department operations.
- Implemented staff development efforts, reinforcing procedures, service expectations, and accountability.
- Evaluated performance data and operational trends to guide improvement initiatives and leadership decisions.
Assistant Nurse Manager, ASC
7 Years 11 Months- Supported daily ambulatory surgery flow for efficient pre-op, intra-op, and PACU operations.
- Assisted with nursing staff scheduling, assignments, and coverage to support safe patient care.
- Checked compliance with surgical protocols, infection control standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Coached nurses and support staff on perioperative practices, documentation, and patient readiness.
- Worked with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and leadership to address workflow and staffing concerns.
- Contributed to quality improvement by identifying process gaps and applying practice updates.
- Trained team members on ambulatory surgery center procedures, safety expectations, and patient communication.
Manager Ortho and Neuro
9 Years 10 Months- Supported daily operations by aligning staffing schedules and workflow with patient care priorities.
- Worked with multidisciplinary teams to uphold quality standards, safety practices, and efficient service delivery.
- Helped improve processes by simplifying documentation, reducing delays, and supporting consistent operations.
- Checked compliance with healthcare policies, accreditation requirements, and internal audit procedures.
- Monitored departmental resources, reduced supply waste, and supported cost-conscious operations.
- Resolved escalated service issues to maintain continuity of care and positive patient experience.
Staff Nurse, Surgery
11 Years 3 Months- Reviewed surgical patients before procedures by checking histories, allergies, and consent forms.
- Observed intraoperative status and responded quickly to changes in patient condition and surgical requirements.
- Supported sterile field integrity by following sterile technique and lowering infection exposure.
- Worked with surgeons, anesthesia, and OR staff to keep case flow efficient.
- Set up instruments, supplies, and equipment for procedures so items were ready when needed.
- Recorded perioperative care in electronic health records and surgical charts with accuracy.
- Verified surgical histories, allergy status, and consent documentation during preoperative assessment.
- Tracked intraoperative patient status and adjusted support promptly based on changes in condition and case demands.
- Protected sterile conditions by maintaining proper technique and reducing contamination risk.
- Partnered with surgeons, anesthesia, and OR staff to coordinate efficient procedure flow.
- Organized instruments, supplies, and equipment in advance to maintain procedural readiness.
- Entered perioperative documentation into surgical charts with precision.
- Completed preoperative patient reviews by confirming histories, allergies, and consent records.
- Responded to intraoperative patient changes with timely support aligned to surgical needs.
- Preserved sterile field integrity through consistent sterile practice and infection control measures.
- Improved case coordination by communicating with surgeons, anesthesia, and OR staff.
- Prepared surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment to support smooth procedure start-up.
- Delivered accurate perioperative documentation across electronic health records and surgical charts.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Skills
Surgical expertise
Surgical oversight
Performance improvement
Financial acumen
Leadership excellence
Budget management
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Time management
Analytical skills
Team collaboration
Teamwork and collaboration
Accomplishments
Opened a Endoscopy Unit from construction
Certification
Certified in SPD; CRCST
Timeline
Director of Surgical Services
Norton Women And Children's Hospital
04.2021 - CurrentRead More
Manager
Baptist Health Floyd Hospital
07.2015 - 04.2021Read More
Assistant Nurse Manager, ASC
Baptist Ambulatory Surgery Center
08.2007 - 07.2015Read More
Manager Ortho and Neuro
St Thomas Midtown Hospital
08.1999 - 06.2009Read More
Staff Nurse, Surgery
Clark Memorial Hospital
05.1988 - 08.1999Read More
Indiana University
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
Read More