How a Sentara nurse helped bring Virginia's surgical smoke evacuation law to life

When you work at the bedside, it is easy to feel like your world is contained within the hospital walls. But at Sentara, a nurse's professional footprint can reach much further.

Leora “Lee” Brown, a former operating room nurse at Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, Virginia, who now works in supply chain standardization, is a prime example of what happens when clinical insight meets professional empowerment. 

In 2024, she stepped outside her comfort zone, taking her real-world experience straight to the Virginia General Assembly to speak up for her peers.

Stepping up to the mic

The issue at hand was surgical smoke, a toxic byproduct produced when heat-generating surgical tools cauterize or cut tissue. For decades, surgical teams have endured inhaling the lingering plume of chemicals.

When the Virginia Nurses Association (VNA) organized a "Lobby Day" to support a bill mandating smoke evacuation systems in all operating rooms, Brown knew she wanted to be involved, and her manager supported her at every step.

While the legislation had strong momentum and was likely to pass, the committee still needed to hear from the frontline professionals living the experience. 

This device captures and filters surgical smoke before it can be breathed in by surgical teams.

“It was a powerful experience to advocate for our own team members, rather than always focusing strictly on the patient,” Brown said. “Sometimes, we have to look out for ourselves so that we can continue to take the best care of others.”

Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the bill into law in March 2024 and it went into effect in July 2025, making Virginia the 17th state to require smoke evacuation systems in operating rooms. 

Sentara had already fully implemented these advanced filtration systems across all its operating rooms before the state mandate officially took effect.

Empowered by shared governance

For veteran staff like Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center surgical technologist Missy Thompson, the change is palpable.

"I don't have to hold my breath during a case anymore," she shared, referencing the intense smell caused by cauterizing flesh.

Because the operating room is a highly specialized, insulated environment, its specific safety hazards aren't always visible to the rest of the hospital. That is precisely why Sentara champions a robust shared governance model. 

It ensures that nurses don't just follow policies – they help shape them. They evaluate clinical equipment, participate in councils that develop and improve nursing practices, and provide feedback and recommendations on patient care, safety, and workplace issues, ensuring frontline concerns reach executive leadership.

Why nurses choose Sentara

Brown’s willingness to stand up and represent her colleagues is so highly valued that her story was featured in Sentara CarePlex Hospital’s 2026 document for Magnet designation, the gold standard for nursing excellence achieved by only 10% of hospitals nationwide.

For nurses looking to join an organization where they can truly grow, Brown’s experience proves that Sentara provides the platform to do so.

"It’s very nice to know that we have a culture where change isn’t just top-down," Brown said. "It is so important to choose a health system that listens to feedback, values your opinion, and supports you when you want to speak up for your profession."

At Sentara, your voice matters, your safety is prioritized, and your potential is limitless. Find your next chapter with us today by visiting www.sentaracareers.com.