Our Team

Luis F Aragon
Chief Executive Officer

With over 29 years of experience as a certified surgical assistant (CSA) and a master's degree in healthcare management, Luis brings exceptional expertise and vision to deliver cost-effective, high-quality solutions to client facilities and surgeons nationwide.
As the President of the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA), Luis plays a pivotal role in advancing the profession and ensuring the highest standards of practice.
In his capacity as Chairman of the Government and Advocacy Committee at the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA), he actively influences policy and legislation in favor of surgical assistants.
Additionally, Luis serves as an Advisory Committee Member for the Surgical First Assistant Program at Mayo Clinic, where he contributes to the development and enhancement of educational programs for future surgical assistants.

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Emma C Aragon
Chief Operating Officer

Emma brings a unique blend of clinical and administrative expertise to her role. Emma co-founded Surgikal in 2021, her extensive experience in the intricacies of medical billing has been instrumental in shaping the company's operations and ensuring the delivery of efficient and effective staffing services. Her deep understanding of healthcare processes and insurance regulations allows her to navigate the complex landscape of surgical assistant staffing with precision. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her commitment to optimizing the revenue cycle for surgical assistants. Emma's passion for the healthcare industry and her commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to Surgikal Assistants, Inc. Her leadership continues to inspire and drive the team towards achieving their goals and delivering exceptional service to their clients.

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James Johnson III
Managing Director

James is the Managing Director for the Central Illinois and Iowa regions at Surgikal Assistants, Inc. He has been an integral part of Surgikal since its inception in 2021, bringing with him extensive experience and expertise from his prior role as director with American Surgical Professionals (ASP).

James has a rich background in education, having participated in and overseen the design, implementation, delivery, and accreditation of Surgical First Assistant education programs, tools, and workshops. His commitment to education ensures that surgical assistants are well-prepared and equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.

His innovative approach to efficiency has helped numerous organizations optimize their operations and improve patient outcomes.

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Jodi Steiner
Rockford Region Team Lead

Jodi serves as the Team Lead for the Rockford region at Surgikal Assistants, Inc. As a highly skilled surgical assistant, Jodi brings extensive experience and expertise to her role, ensuring the highest standards of care and professionalism. Her proficiency in robotics makes her a favorite resource amongst most surgeons in the region. 

In her capacity as team lead, Jodi supervises and supports our team in the Rockford region. Her leadership and dedication play a crucial role in maintaining efficient operations and fostering a collaborative work environment. Jodi’s ability to mentor and guide her team members ensures that they are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of our clients.

Julie Brownfield
Office Manager

Julie began her journey with the company in 2007 when it was known as United Surgical Assistants. Throughout the years, Julie has demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment, staying with the company through its transition to American Surgical Professionals and continuing with Surgikal since its inception in 2021. With over a decade of experience in office management within the surgical assisting industry, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Julie's long-standing commitment to the company and her expertise in office management make her a valuable asset to Surgikal Assistants, Inc. Her leadership and dedication continue to drive the company towards achieving its goals and delivering exceptional service to its clients.

Phyllis Vols
LincolnWay Region Team Lead

Phyllis serves as the Team Lead for the LincolnWay region in Chicago at Surgikal Assistants, Inc. With an extensive career spanning over three decades, Phyllis brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role.

Phyllis has been a dedicated surgical assistant since 1990, initially working with an orthopedic group where she honed her skills and gained invaluable experience in the field. Her career also includes a stint as a sales representative for Biomet, where she further expanded her knowledge of orthopedic products and surgical techniques.

Phyllis joined Surgikal Assistants at its inception in 2021, continuing her tenure from her previous role with American Surgical Professionals (ASP). 

Katrina Winters
Educational Coordinator

Katrina serves as the Educational Coordinator at Surgikal Assistants, Inc. Having been an integral part of our team as a surgical assistant, Katrina has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and a passion for continuous learning and improvement. Her commitment to excellence and her extensive experience make her ideally suited for her current role.

In her position as Educational Coordinator, Katrina leads our educational initiatives, focusing on the development and enhancement of our training programs. Her primary goal is to ensure that our team remains at the forefront of industry standards and continues to excel in delivering high-quality surgical assisting services. Katrina’s dedication to professional growth and her ability to inspire and educate others are key to advancing our training programs and maintaining our commitment to excellence.

Lisa Marrotta
Chicago Scheduling/Registration

Lisa serves as the Scheduler for the Chicago region at Surgikal Assistants, Inc. She has been a dedicated member of the team since the company was part of American Surgical Professionals (ASP).
Lisa plays a crucial role in managing the scheduling and registration for the Chicago region. Her meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills ensure that the scheduling process runs smoothly and efficiently. Lisa works closely with Rita to coordinate and manage the high volume of surgical cases, ensuring that each procedure is staffed appropriately and all logistical aspects are handled with precision.

Rita Kriauciunas
Chicago Scheduling/Registration

Rita has been with the company since its days as part of American Surgical Professionals (ASP), bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her role.

Rita is responsible for managing the scheduling and registration of all case loads for the Chicago region, working alongside Lisa to ensure that each procedure is staffed efficiently and effectively. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail enable her to handle the complexities of surgical scheduling with ease.

Rita's proactive approach to scheduling ensures that all logistical aspects are meticulously coordinated, allowing for seamless operations and optimal resource allocation. Her ability to anticipate scheduling needs and resolve any potential issues promptly contributes significantly to the smooth functioning of the surgical teams.

Rebekah Ratley Kreitzer
Central Illinois/Iowa Scheduling/Registration

Becky is a dedicated scheduler and registration specialist for the central Illinois and Iowa region at Surgikal Assistants, Inc. She serves the areas of Champaign, Bloomington, Moline, Peoria and Iowa regions, ensuring that all surgical scheduling and registration needs are met with precision and efficiency.

In her role, Becky manages the complex logistics of scheduling surgical assistants, coordinating with medical facilities and ensuring that each procedure is staffed appropriately. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail enable her to handle the diverse and dynamic needs of the central Illinois region.

With a strong focus on client satisfaction, Becky’s extensive knowledge and experience in the field make her an invaluable asset to the Surgikal Assistants team. Her dedication and ability to manage the scheduling needs of multiple locations ensure that our clients receive the best possible support and care.

Brenda Mohr
On Call Scheduling

Brenda serves as an on-call scheduler at Surgikal Assistants, Inc., bringing with her a wealth of experience and knowledge from her long tenure with the company. She has been a valued member of the team since the days of United Surgical Assistants, where she initially served as an office manager.

Currently, Brenda works as an evening on-call scheduler, playing a crucial role in managing and coordinating surgical schedules outside of regular business hours. Her extensive knowledge of our clients in the Chicago region and her deep understanding of their needs allow her to provide exceptional support and ensure that all scheduling requirements are met promptly and accurately.

Brenda's vast experience and familiarity with the intricacies of surgical scheduling make her an indispensable asset to the Surgikal Assistants team. Her ability to handle complex scheduling tasks with efficiency and precision ensures that our clients receive seamless and reliable service.

Claudia Garcia
Colorado/Texas Scheduling/Registration

Claudia is a dedicated scheduler and registration specialist for the Colorado and Texas regions at Surgikal Assistants, Inc. She manages the scheduling and registration for all surgical cases in the region, ensuring that each procedure is staffed efficiently and effectively.

In her role, Claudia coordinates with medical facilities and surgical assistants to handle the diverse and dynamic scheduling needs of the regions. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail allow her to manage complex logistics and ensure that all aspects of the scheduling process run smoothly.

Claudia’s proactive approach and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to the Surgikal Assistants team. Her ability to anticipate and resolve scheduling challenges ensures seamless operations and optimal resource allocation for our clients.

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