In the world of surgical technology, every small, precise action holds the potential for life-altering outcomes. Surgical technologists work behind the scenes in operating rooms, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with surgeons and other healthcare professionals to ensure that each surgery goes as smoothly as possible. They’re responsible for sterilizing instruments, arranging supplies, and creating a safe and organized environment for the procedure. Their role goes beyond simply assisting in surgery – they’re an essential part of the patient’s journey, a critical link that supports the careful, calculated efforts needed to save and improve lives. Interestingly, there’s a powerful connection between the actions of a surgical technologist and another important action we’re all encouraged to take: voting.
As surgical technologists work meticulously to create a sterile, efficient environment for a surgery, they know that every decision they make, every step they take, has an impact on the final outcome. Each instrument selected, each tool prepped, each precaution taken all contribute to a successful operation. Just as these detailed, careful actions add up to something much larger in a surgical setting, voting is a way for individuals to contribute to the bigger picture in society. When we vote, we are each playing our part in creating change, influencing policy, and building a future that reflects our collective values and priorities. Like the technologists who contribute to the success of surgeries, we all play a role in the success of our communities when we exercise our right to vote.
Taking action is something that both surgical technologists and voters understand well. In surgery, every moment counts, and technologists have to be ready to make decisions quickly, adjust as new challenges arise, and support the surgeon in ways that only those in the operating room truly understand. Similarly, voting is about being willing to step up, make a choice, and take a stand, knowing that while your voice may be small on its own, it has power when combined with the voices of others. Surgical technologists bring their knowledge, precision, and commitment to each procedure, just as we bring our own values, insights, and hopes for change to the voting booth. Both actions – assisting in surgery and casting a vote – reflect a dedication to something larger than ourselves and a belief in the impact of small steps.
In both the operating room and the voting booth, precision is key. Surgical technologists know that a slight misstep, a single oversight, can affect the outcome of a procedure, which is why they are so dedicated to detail and preparation. Every instrument they select, every surface they disinfect, every tool they handle must be managed with the utmost care to protect the patient and support the surgical team. Voting, too, requires this level of thoughtful preparation. It’s about looking carefully at the choices in front of us, considering each candidate or issue, and selecting the option that best aligns with the kind of world we want to live in. Just as surgical technologists consider each tool and task essential to the success of a procedure, each vote is essential to the success of our democracy and the policies that impact healthcare, education, public safety, and beyond.
There is something deeply empowering about the work of surgical technologists. They may not always receive the spotlight, but they know that the actions they take matter immensely. From setting up an operating room to ensuring every tool is in its rightful place, they contribute to a process that has the potential to save lives and transform health outcomes. Voting carries this same kind of power – while an individual vote may seem small in the grand scheme of things, each one is part of a greater movement. Together, the collective action of millions of votes helps shape the world we live in. Whether we’re selecting leaders, approving policies, or directing resources, voting is our way of saying that our choices matter, and we’re willing to take action for the good of our communities.
Surgical technologists dedicate themselves to a life of precision, commitment, and service, knowing that the smallest actions can have the most profound impact. Similarly, voting is an action that might feel small in the moment, but it contributes to the kind of world we want to build – one where healthcare, education, safety, and opportunity are available to all. Like the work of a technologist in a surgery, each vote is an investment in the future, a step toward a healthier, stronger, more just society. So, as we think about the importance of each action, big or small, let’s remember the power of both roles: the surgical technologist, who helps transform lives in the operating room, and the voter, who helps shape the direction of a nation. Taking the time to vote is a decision we make not only for ourselves but for our entire community, just as each precise action taken by a surgical technologist is a decision to help improve and protect the life of every patient who steps into the operating room.
