In the high-stakes environment of cardiothoracic surgery, every moment counts. For Connor Wasilnak, a Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant whose days are split between assisting in critical surgeries, managing patients in the cardiac ICU, and conducting consultations, maintaining focus is essential. But like many medical professionals, Connor's passion for healthcare extends beyond hospital walls—as co-founder of GOMED (Global Outreach for Medical Equity and Development), he's working to redistribute surplus medical supplies to support care abroad.
With dual demands on his time and attention, Connor found himself facing a common challenge: how to stay present in every conversation while ensuring nothing important falls through the cracks.
The challenge: When documentation becomes a distraction
Before discovering Plaud.ai, Connor struggled with a familiar dilemma. During clinical lectures and non-profit meetings, he found himself torn between active listening and comprehensive note-taking.
In clinical settings especially, there was always a risk of missing important details due to simultaneous note-taking—something that could potentially impact patient care.
For GOMED operations, the challenge manifested as difficulty in systematically managing and organizing disparate notes and ideas from meetings and calls.
This efficiency gap directly translated to less time for research and implementation of initiatives that could further the non-profit's mission.
Finding balance with Plaud
When Connor began using the Plaud Note device, it transformed his workflow. While hospital policies currently limit its use in direct clinical settings, it has become indispensable for his non-profit work and continuing medical education. He uses Plaud during GOMED meetings to capture discussion points and decisions. For phone calls related to non-profit operations, it helps document ideas and updates that are crucial to their mission. The device has proven particularly valuable during clinical lectures, where Connor can now give his full attention to the content.
“I'm able to concentrate fully on lectures and discussions without the distraction of manual note-taking.”
“The time I save on writing and organizing notes can now be directed toward clinical research and streamlining our non-profit operations.”
Beyond recording: creating a knowledge ecosystem
Connor's use of Plaud extends beyond simple recording. The device helps him:
- Capture spontaneous thoughts and brainstorming sessions that often contain the seeds of innovation for both his medical practice and non-profit work
- Document inventory management strategies for GOMED's medical supplies, enabling more systematic organization and distribution
- Create structured, searchable notes that serve as reliable references for clinical concepts and operational decisions
What makes Plaud particularly valuable is how it transforms unstructured conversations into organized, accessible information—creating a knowledge base that can be referenced and utilized later.
Measurable benefits: time saved, focus gained
The impact of adopting Plaud has been tangible in several key areas:
- Enhanced focus: better concentration on lectures and discussions without manual note-taking distractions
- Improved efficiency: significant time saved on writing and organizing notes, freeing up time for clinical research and non-profit operations
- Better documentation: well-organized, searchable notes for later reference and decision-making
Looking forward: the future of medical documentation
As a healthcare professional at the intersection of clinical practice and humanitarian work, Connor has a unique perspective on how AI tools like Plaud could transform both fields. He sees tremendous potential for integration between Plaud and EMR systems. Automating documentation could significantly reduce the time clinicians spend on paperwork, allowing more focus on patient care. For non-profits like GOMED, which operates with limited resources and volunteer time, efficiency tools are equally transformative. Every minute saved on administrative tasks is a minute that can be dedicated to their mission of getting medical supplies to those who need them most.
About GOMED
GOMED (Global Outreach for Medical Equity and Development) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that acquires surplus or expired medical supplies that might otherwise be wasted, consolidates and documents them meticulously, and distributes these materials to non-profits conducting international mission trips. Their work directly benefits patients in dire need of clinical care outside the United States. To learn more or support their mission, visit www.letsgomed.org.
