All Star Payback Winner Spotlight: Lance Machado, CRNA — Compassion, Skill, and Service in Every Setting

A Calling Rooted in Community and Family

Long before he stepped into the operating room as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), Lance Machado understood the challenges of living in a community with limited access to care. Growing up in rural Kansas shaped his early desire to make a difference.

As he shared:

“Originally, I grew up in a small-town area in Kansas, so there was not very much care there. Resources were limited, so getting care often meant traveling long distances. I thought it’d be nice to join the healthcare workforce and hopefully help bring some of those resources to areas that don’t have them.”

His journey was also shaped by watching his father navigate multiple health challenges:

“My father had several comorbidities growing up, and I remember he had a lot of struggles. When he would need to see specialists, there were few of them, and it took a very long time to get into their clinics because they’re so busy.”

While nursing was his initial path, CRNA work wasn’t on his radar until mentors introduced him to the field. After working as an ICU nurse in trauma, cardiac, and general surgery, the blend of critical thinking and hands-on skill captured his interest.

“It was a combination of the mental task work of thinking in terms of science and taking care of patients on a critical level, and also the aspect of working with my hands. It combined two things I was really interested in.”

A Defining Moment in Training

Every CRNA carries certain patient stories with them — the ones that reaffirm why their work matters. For Lance, one unforgettable experience came during his training.

“I remember in school taking care of a particular patient who was very sick. They didn’t look very good at first, but slowly they started to improve over time.”

He followed the patient’s progress long after surgery:

“Eventually that individual got to a point where they were exiting critical care. It was a great feeling that the services we were providing were making a real difference in a person’s life who might otherwise not be here today.”

That experience reinforced his commitment to a profession where expertise, calm, and presence can change the course of someone’s life.

Guiding Patients Through Their Toughest Day

For many patients, the day of surgery is filled with fear and uncertainty. Lance sees it as his responsibility — and privilege — to ease those fears.

“Many patients I talk to are very scared on the day of surgery. Being able to talk to them, provide transparency on what’s going to happen, and offer reassurance is really important to me.”

When patients return afterward feeling relieved and supported, he knows he’s done his job well:

“Those things mean a lot to me. It’s a very rewarding day when patients come back telling you things went so well.”

Facing Complexity with Skill and Calm

As patient populations grow older and more medically complex, anesthesia care becomes increasingly challenging.

“Unfortunately, in the United States, our population is getting older and much sicker. On many days you find yourself taking care of someone who has many comorbidities, and that can be stressful.”

Preparation, he says, makes all the difference:

“Good planning up front takes away a lot of the guesswork. Thorough plans for the patients are very helpful.”

To stay centered, he focuses on physical and mental well-being:

“I try to exercise and hike and stay grounded so that when I’m at work in stressful environments, I can think clearly and provide the best care I can.”

A Passion for Locum Tenens and Supporting Underserved Hospitals

Lance was drawn to locum tenens work for the same reason he pursued healthcare: to support communities in need.

“I met some people who were doing locums, and they were able to provide care in a hospital that was struggling to staff. Many of the hospitals where I grew up were poorly staffed. It feels good to help make sure patients are getting the care they need.”

He quickly saw how meaningful the support was — not just to patients, but also to exhausted staff.

“If they’re running a skeleton crew, it’s difficult for them to take vacations or go home to their kids. When I come in ready to work long hours and help them out, they’re very appreciative.”

Connecting with All Star Healthcare Solutions

Lance first connected with All Star through his recruiter, Hannah Fenster, whose support made the onboarding process smooth and personal.

“I connected with Hannah, and she’s done a fantastic job getting me onboarded and answering my questions in a timely fashion. It’s been a good colleague-like relationship.”

He appreciates All Star’s efficient, personal approach:

“It seems like a smaller, no-nonsense group. With bigger conglomerates, you feel like a number. With All Star, everything went very smoothly.”

Winning the All Star Payback Contest

Lance discovered the Payback campaign on a whim — and his dog Steve became an unexpected co-star.

“I received an email. I was taking my dog Steve out to play fetch, and I saw the email pop up. I thought, ‘Why not? Let’s just go for it.’”

Winning came as a complete surprise:

“I feel like I’ve entered a bunch of them and never win. This was on a whim. This is fun because I never win these things.”

As for his plans?

“My wife and I just found our first home together. Part of the yard is not fenced in, so this is going toward fencing the yard for my dog Steve. He’s really going to appreciate this.”

Celebrating Lance and All Star’s Payback Winners

The All Star Payback Contest honors healthcare professionals who bring dedication, heart, and expertise to every patient encounter. Lance Machado, CRNA, exemplifies that spirit through his compassion, preparedness, and unwavering commitment to patient care — from rural Kansas to operating rooms across the country.

Congratulations, Lance — and congratulations to Steve on his soon-to-be fenced-in yard. Your story reminds us why caring for those who care for others matters.

Check out Lance’s original video submission below.