McNamara Surgical Consulting: Transforming Surgical Services

Catching Up with Jane McNamara, Founder of McNamara Surgical Consulting

Jane McNamara, Founder of McNamara Surgical Consulting

Jane McNamara’s journey to entrepreneurship began after an impressive career in surgical leadership. Drawing on her extensive experience managing surgical departments and clinics, Jane launched McNamara Surgical Consulting in October 2022. 

Her mission? To help hospitals transform their surgical departments into efficient, collaborative, and high-performing environments.

“I couldn’t have done it alone,” Jane reflects. “Both IgniteMN and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) were instrumental in helping me navigate the process of starting my own business.” 

Julie from SBDC and Jane McNamara meeting

Julie from SBDC and Jane at one of their meetings


Built on Expertise, Driven by Passion

After decades in the healthcare industry, Jane recognized a critical gap: many surgical departments lacked the tools and support to run optimally. “Hospitals often assign people to manage operating rooms without the necessary training or resources,” Jane explains. “It’s a challenging environment, but with the right approach, transformation is possible.”

Jane’s process begins with a detailed assessment. She evaluates the unique challenges each hospital faces, identifies opportunities for improvement, and presents a tailored plan for change. From there, she guides hospital teams through implementing these changes while mentoring staff to sustain progress.

“My clients’ success is my success,” Jane says. “I’m deeply passionate about helping them achieve meaningful, lasting improvements.”

Her approach has yielded remarkable results. At one small community hospital in northern Minnesota, Jane’s guidance led to a 34% reduction in staff turnover, a 16% increase in employee engagement, and a $4.8 million boost in revenue over six months.


Finding Support and Building Momentum

Starting a business was no small feat, but Jane sought out every available resource to ensure success. Through IgniteMN, she attended workshops like “Write Your Business Plan in a Day,” which helped her shape her vision. She also connected with the SBDC, where consultants provided expertise in areas like marketing, taxes, and branding.

“I used as many resources as I could,” Jane recalls. “From Red Wing Ignite to the SBDC, the knowledge and support I received were invaluable.”

Jane credits IgniteMN for connecting her with Julie at the SBDC, where she found ongoing mentorship. “They gave me the stepping stones I needed to succeed,” Jane says. “It’s why I keep coming back as I grow.”


Jane and her daughter representing McNamara Surgical Consulting at a trade show

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Reflecting on her journey, Jane shares advice for others considering entrepreneurship: “Find people and resources to help you. It’s not a journey you should take alone.” 

She also emphasizes resilience and passion. “This work is emotional and challenging, but the reward of seeing the positive impact I can make keeps me going.”

To learn more about McNamara Surgical Consulting and follow Jane’s journey, please visit her website: https://mcnamarasurgicalconsulting.com/ 


If you are thinking of embarking on your own entrepreneurial journey, Entrepreneurs First (E1) is here to help. The E1 is a collaborative network that includes organizations like the MN Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and IgniteMN, providing entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and community needed to grow their businesses. 

To connect with any of the partners within the E1 Ecosystem, please visit the website at www.entrepreneursfirst.org.