SPD Manager M. Angie Holland Wants You to “Say it Loud!”

When it comes to the best ways to improve sterile processing, there’s no one who knows better than technicians. That’s why M. Angie Holland has spent her career encouraging her colleagues to own their ideas and “Say it Loud!” while offering necessary resources to bilingual technicians.

Nashua, New Hampshire – “Say it Loud!”

These are the driving words behind the electric movement started by Sterile Processing Department (SPD) Manager M. Angie Holland, CSPDT, CRCST, CSPM, CIS.

This phrase may feel familiar to you. Maybe you’ve heard it while public speaking or after mumbling a complaint under your breath. For Holland, saying it loud isn’t just about getting your voice heard. It’s about owning your expertise and not giving up.

“Say It Loud is a way of encouraging technicians not to give up on getting their message across,” said Holland. “Even if you don’t feel heard right away, keep trying. Believe that what you have to say is important enough to say it again.”

The motto was born from a low point in Holland’s career. After several years working as a sterile technician, she felt that her expertise and professional opinion weren’t valued as they should be.

“Say It Loud was born out of a place of frustration,” said Holland. “I had been in this industry so long and I would get so frustrated every time an employer would bring an external consulting company in, and they would recommend the same changes that I proposed months ago. The professionals on the floor know what needs to be done – and we deserve respect and trust.”

For Holland, it felt like talking to a brick wall. Finally, the wall became so thick that she even considered leaving sterile processing – a career that she loves and finds purpose in – altogether. Luckily, she had mentors who encouraged her to persevere.

“I had mentors that didn’t give up on me. They consistently told me that I was valuable and my skills were what this industry needed. They’re the ones that kept me going,” said Holland. “I decided I couldn’t give up because this specialization deserves the best. I had to advocate for this industry that I care about so much.”

Now, she’s paying it forward. On top of her years of experience and strong leadership abilities, another major asset of Holland’s is that she’s bilingual; she can speak fluent Spanish and English. This pivotal moment in her career made her realize she could use this skill to help others.

So, she started reaching out to other Spanish-speaking technicians and offered herself as a resource. Since then, she’s helped more than 25 technicians pass their Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCFT) certification and even more with translation and studying.

“Certification exams are already difficult, and they’re even trickier if you have to translate everything,” said Holland. “Helping technicians translate practice exams, podcasts, and other resources into Spanish has helped many technicians pass their certification exam, or even simply further their learning.”

In Holland’s new position as an SPD Manager in Massachussets, which she’s held for about four months, most of her colleagues speak Spanish. According to Holland, having a manager lead in the language that her team is most comfortable with goes a long way.

“When technicians have questions and can’t elaborate in English, they’re able to do it with me in Spanish,” said Holland.

Since she first began the mantra Say it Loud, the meaning of the brand has grown tenfold. Still, Holland wants it to grow even bigger, simply because technicians deserve it.

“I always say I thrive under pressure. I always want to give more, and I don’t give up,” said Holland. “However I can advocate for my Latino community, I will do it. I have a huge passion for this industry, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help technicians grow.”

When it comes to making sterile processing an industry that is more conducive to learners of English as a second language, Holland is hopeful that the industry will slowly make several changes over the next few years. One suggestion of hers is for facilities to have information about ESL programs at nearby colleges, and offer tuition reimbursement for this kind of learning.

“I hope these practices become more widespread across the industry,” said Holland. “Until then, we are just going to keep Saying it Loud.”

SterileBits: Lifting Each Other Up

SterileBits is the medical equipment design company behind SterileBits Instrument Protector Cards for robotic and hinged instruments – designed with the best interests of technicians and clinicians at the forefront. Click here to learn more about instrument protectors by SterileBits.

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