Abstract: A surgical instrument organizer for holding surgical instruments on a horizontal surface includes an elongate strip having opposed front and rear walls, end walls, an upper portion, and a lower portion, and a support member in engagement with the strip, the support member in use maintaining the front and rear walls generally perpendicular to the horizontal surface. The upper portion is defined by a plurality of notches, the notches being of a size and shape to receive surgical instruments and maintain them in a propped-up, spaced-apart position. In the preferred embodiment, each of the notches is generally V-shaped, with each notch being about 0.875 inch deep and having side walls that terminate in points spaced about 0.375 inch from each other. Preferably the foam is made of crosslinked, closed-cell polyolefin. The support member can be provided in a variety of forms, including spaced stands, an elongate block, and an open-ended surgical tray.