Aubrie Graham-Mendoza is a Clinical Manager – Operating Room/Medical Device Reprocessing Manager who lives in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. She is in her first year as a student in the Graduate Certificate Global Surgical Care program.
Read on to find out more about Aubrie, her experiences, what led her to GCGSC, and more!
What are some of your hobbies & interests (cooking, sports, travelling, etc?) What do you love to do in your spare time?
I love to travel, spend time with my family and friends, and watch my children play sports. If I can combine all three things, it is INCREDIBLE!
Can you please tell us about your career or professional background?
I graduated with a BScN in 2008 and have been a perioperative nurse since 2010. I hold CNA and PACU certifications, which have helped me build a strong clinical foundation. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as a clinical educator, sharing my knowledge and mentoring others. Currently, I’m working as an OR and Medical Device Reprocessing Manager, where I combine my clinical expertise with management responsibilities to ensure high-quality patient care. In 2023, I earned my Master of Nursing in Education and Leadership, further strengthening my ability to lead and educate within the nursing field. My career reflects a deep commitment to professional growth, leadership, and advancing patient care.
What has inspired you to study and work in the field of global surgery? Please share any experiences you have had in global surgery work.
During my Master of Nursing program, I took a course called Culture and Health: Critical Perspectives, which significantly expanded my understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized and underserved populations. This course highlighted the inequities these communities experience in accessing healthcare. I had the privilege of traveling to Moose Factory, ON, to complete a locum in the operating room, and the experience was truly humbling. I was shocked to learn that patients scheduled for surgery sometimes could not receive the care they needed because transportation to the hospital was unavailable. It was a stark reminder of the barriers that exist in healthcare, particularly in remote areas.
What attracted you to the GCGSC? How do you plan to use the skills and knowledge gained from this program in your career in the future?
One of my close friends, Emma, is currently enrolled in the Master of Global Surgical Care program, and she has spoken highly of it. I’m inspired by her experience and excited to apply my own knowledge and experiences to help improve sustainable surgical access for remote, underserved, and marginalized communities across Canada and Internationally.
Can you tell us more about your experience as a nurse in the MGSC program and any advice you have for nurses or allied health professionals interested in our program?
I am one of two nurses in my cohort for this program and I cannot emphasize enough that if there is an interest, this is the course and place for you. Everyone has been very collaborative and offers unique perspectives based on their experiences and it has been wonderful to work and learn from my cohort.
Is there any work/document/article that you are currently working on that you’d like to promote? Our community would love to find out what our students are currently working on. How can our community learn more about you? (Website, Linkedin, Youtube, etc)
The community is welcome to follow me on Linkedin “Aubrie Graham-Mendoza”.