Panelist: AMA (Ask Me Anything): Words of Wisdom From PACU Leaders

Lydia Casteel is the Director of Surgical Services at WellStar Paulding Hospital. In her role, she over sees operations of Surgical and Endoscopy Services to include PATT, Pre-Op, PACU, OR/GI and SPD. Lydia has served on the System Trust Collaborative within WellStar which has developed a vision and mission, as well as guidelines and training for leaders to improve employee engagement. Lydia began her career as a nursing assistant while she obtained her nursing degree. In her 25-year career, Lydia has served as staff nurse in ICU, Educator, Charge Nurse, Assistant Nurse Manager, and Manager. She transitioned into surgical services in 2008 in the perianesthesia area. In 2011 Lydia transitioned into overall operations of the surgery center in preparation to transition a new replacement hospital Lydia was on the transition team to help design the surgery center and sterile processing departments for the state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2014. Lydia completed her Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Administration from Grand Canyon University in 2018. Lydia has received several awards within her organization for leadership, as well as led her team in achieving the Star Performer and Guardian of Excellence Awards for Patient Satisfaction from Press Ganey, 2nd place in Quality and Safety from the Georgia Hospital Association for their work in pre-op efficiency, and the Med Exec 2020 Safety Star Award for Patient Safety. Lydia lives in Powder Springs, Georgia and is the proud mom of an active 17-year-old son. She spends her free time volunteering at her church in the youth and feed the hungry ministries and loves dancing with her son in the living room.