Surgical Nursing Education Manager
Cleveland Clinic
I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
As Cleveland Clinic’s Surgical Nursing Education Manager, Linda Gardner, DNP, MEd, BA, RN, CNOR, manages a team of 16 Perioperative Educators who ensure caregivers are prepared to safely and effectively work in Perioperative Services. Gardner brings thirteen years of OR experience to her position having worked as a surgical technologist, circulator, clinical coordinator and educator. She is dedicated to the highest level of practice and shares her expertise to drive meaningful and impactful change. Gardner has successfully developed Cleveland Clinic’s Reprocessing Education Team bridging educational gaps throughout the enterprise. She has effectively built a perioperative education team that collaborates across all Cleveland Clinic locations creating and implementing evidenced based educational opportunities. In an effort to increase role clarity Gardner has implemented interactive learning to the department including simulations, games, skits, and competency circuits. She lead the team to develop a perioperative immersion course with Ursuline College leading her team to two innovation awards; third place Innovation Award from Cleveland Clinic in 2020 and the Innovation Award from the Ohio League of Nursing in 2021. Gardner is co-creator of the OR Nurse Associate Extern Program and has lectured at CNOR review classes. She has presented several poster presentations ranging from Malignant Hyperthermia to Universal Protocol at AORN and ASPAN conferences. She presented several podium presentation at the AORN Global Surgical Conference and Expo and ASPAN. Gardner holds a doctorate of nursing from Grand Canyon University, master’s in nursing from University of Phoenix, master’s of education from Indiana Wesleyan University, and bachelor of arts in mathematics from Ursuline College.