Surgical Technology Program of the Month:
Name of the school or program: Everest College
Certification/ associate degree: One Year Accelerated Diploma.
Number of students:22
Information about the program:Everest College Merrillville Surgical Technology Program is a one year accelerated diploma program with three separate start dates yearly. On average, there are 22 students per start, who must complete four, eight week semesters of class as well as a four month externship with at least a C average in order to graduate.
Hospital visits are begun in the third semester, where students rotate each Monday, getting to experience both the operating room and sterile processing. Although students are not required to take the national boards before graduation, the instructors make it a point to do a certification review every week, to ensure that their graduates will be in compliance with the new law.
The structured regiment here at Everest, provides a strict environment, with a high focus on engraining the basics of surgical technology into each student's mind, allowing it to become second nature. Mrs. Patricia Rich, Program Director, along with the surgical technology instructors, are dedicated to ensuring the success of each student by not only review of educational materials, but with constant motivational and emotional support. Though this program is challenging, it prepares each student for the demands expected in their externship, as well as their future career.
Ms. Kristin Wesse, Mrs. Jackie Woolever, Mrs. Suzette Dennington, and Ms. Traci Braun, each contribute unique creativity and real-life skills to bring to life what may otherwise be a mundane classroom lecture. Focus on lab skills and sterile technique is of primary importance. Students not only have access to an excellent lab, but to basic and specialty instruments as well. The goal of each of these instructors is to constantly challenge each student, allowing them to advance their knowledge of surgical technology, while providing proper guidance and ample encouragement.
2009 Project Out-Reach
On Friday, October 23, 2009 Surgical Technology students from all over Indiana, the Indiana State Assembly Board and AST President Sherri Alexander, CST, presented Wheeler Mission Ministry Inc., with over 2,000 school supplies, 1,500 personal items and over 1,000 articles of winter clothing for their Women’s and Children Center.
Students from the participating programs were invited to take a tour of the Wheeler Mission Women’s and Children Center, so they could see how the items that they collected will benefit those that rely so much on Wheeler Mission.
The Indiana State Assembly Board would like to thank the following schools for their hard work collecting items. These schools were recognized at the ISA State Conference on Saturday, October 24, 2009 and awarded a Humanitarian Award for their contributions.
Project Outreach Schools:
Everest College – Merrillville, Indiana
University of Saint Francis – Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Vincennes University – Vincennes, Indiana
Harrison College – Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Harrison College – Indianapolis, Indiana
Clarian Health Surgical Technology Program – Indianapolis, Indiana
Student Association
Students are the future of this profession, and AST wants to officially recognize this with the formation of the new AST Student Association (ASTSA).
The student newsletter has changed its name to ASTSA News, and the possibilities for more student-driven opportunities are endless.
We need to hear from you ...
- Is there a surgical technology student club at your school? What does the club do?
- Does your program do service projects? Host parties or special events?
- Have you taken the certification exam and want to share your experience - or advice - with other students who haven't taken it yet?
- Do you want to know what other students have experienced during their clinical rotations?
- What was your experience during clinical rotations? What was it like to participate in an actual surgery? Got any interesting stories to share?
- Want to hear from a recent graduate about his/her first day in the O.R.?
- Not sure how to write a resume?
- Is this a career change for you? Why did you choose surgical technology? How are you balancing all your other responsibilities while you're in school? Want to hear how others are dealing with writing research papers and taking tests again?
Send us an idea at publications@ast.org.
It could become an article for the student newsletter or the monthly Journal. Or we can link new pages to this one with answers to your questions.
If you like to write, you can be the author. Experience is definitely not required, and we'll help as much or as little as you'd like. Remember -- getting published looks good on your resume!
