She’s come full circle: Emily Vaughan’s journey to healthcare

Written by Zoe Walsh, Communications intern for IU Health's Indianapolis Suburban Region

Five years ago, Emily Vaughan, was not in the healthcare field. Now, she is a certified surgical technologist at IU Health West Hospital.

Five years ago, Emily Vaughan, certified surgical technologist, was not in the healthcare field. She was a corporate employee, who wanted something different for her life.

“At 36-years-old, I didn’t want to work in an office anymore,” she says.

Vaughan found the perfect program at IU Health—a Surgical Technology program. Surgical technologists assist surgeons and registered nurses by providing sterile equipment, passing instruments and cleaning the operating room.

IU Health’s program requires twelve months of education and training, along with clinical trials and an exam.

“This was perfect, because I hadn’t been in any amount of schooling since my twenties,” she adds.

After completing her clinicals and exam at IU Health West Hospital, Vaughan started working there immediately as a surgical technologist. Five years later, she helps train people going through the Surgical Technology program.

Her full circle moment came when Vaughan was named Preceptor of the Year, an award that recognizes great teachers that live out IU Health values.

“I’m honored,” she says. “I don’t teach often; I’m just being me!”

Vaughan loves her role, and thinks others would, too.

“Not a lot of people know what surgical technologists do,” she explains. “We get in first, set up everything and pass all the (instruments), and we have to know the procedure as well as the surgeons. We’re pretty awesome!”

Interested in joining a dynamic team focused on helping others? Visit careers.iuhealth.org to see open positions within IU Health.