A supportive surgical team.
Spotlight: Brenda Knutson, Surgical Technician
Brenda Knutson’s career has spanned more than four decades, but she’s not quite ready to hang up her scrubs just yet. With 33 years at Alomere Health (and another 10 years previously in Long Prairie), Brenda has been a cornerstone of the surgical team. “I tried retiring a year ago—we even threw a big retirement party, which was a blast—but I just wasn’t ready. Surgery is such a rewarding job. It’s more than just work; it’s being part of a family. We’re all here to help people, and I love that,” she reflects with a warm smile.
As a surgical technician, Brenda works hand-in-hand with the sterile processing staff and nurses anticipating the surgeon’s needs before they’re even asked. “it is very rewarding to do an entire case with a surgeon in which they do not have to ask for anything. You just know what they like, and you have it ready for them as they need it,” beams Brenda.
Brenda’s success in this demanding role is no accident. It’s a combination of her skills and personality that make her a natural fit. “you have to have patience, endurance, and be a good listener. And you’ve got have a little backbone—sometimes the surgeons can give you a run for the money,” she says with a chuckle. Growing up in a family of 11 kids, Brenda learned early on how to be decisive, organized, and efficient—skills that serve her well both in surgery and in her personal life. “in my own family, I’m the planner. If something needs to get done, I can make it happen.”
One of the reasons Brenda has stayed with Alomere Health for so many years is the close-knit, supportive team environment.
During the height of the COVID pandemic, the hospital had to pause elective surgeries. Brenda and the surgical tech team shared the burden of reduced hours to help support each other. “We didn’t want to lose anyone, so we worked out a schedule where we’d rotate full-time and reduced hours.” As surgeries resumed, Alomere faced staffing challenges and brought in traveling nurses. “Because they were new and didn’t know the surgeons as well as our team, it wasn’t an ideal situation. The surgeons led the discussion to work out a solution to keep our teams intact.”
Although Brenda isn’t in any rush to retire, she’s looking forward to what comes next. “I’m planning to spend more time with my grandkids, watching them in their sports. I’ve also taken up Diamond painting as a hobby, something I picked up during on-call shifts. And fishing, of course! Last year, I bought myself a fishing boat. After we spent a summer fishing together, my sister bought one, too. So, I won’t be sitting around being bored,” she laughs.
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