The prevalence of UWB has greatly increased in recent years for numerous applications in dense multipath indoor environments. We have measured and modeled the ultra-wideband (UWB) channel environment found in the operating room which can be used to examine its effects on the performance of UWB positioning and communications systems. Frequency and time domain measurement data obtained in the operating room in both live (during orthopedic surgeries) and non-live scenarios was fit to the IEEE 802.15.4a channel model. Simulation data was then obtained through the IEEE 802.15.4a channel model for characterizing the operating room environment. Electromagnetic interference was also measured in the operating room. Even in the dense multipath environment found in the operating room, UWB shows strong potential for multiple applications including wireless tracking for surgical navigation, incorporation into low power ex vivo and in vivo bio-sensors, and high data rate wireless telemetry of critical bio-signals including ECG, EMG, blood pressure, and body temperature.