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One of the most important tasks when I begin a cohort is assigning my students to a clinical site. In years past, this process was completed with a few emails. However, many hospitals are now keeping track of their clinical students through an online onboarding service. These websites have given hospitals the ability to access all student information in one place, which has made it much easier for hospital staff to coordinate their clinical rotations.

Graduation for the class of 2021 (and 2020) presented many programs with a challenge: How should graduation ceremonies balance safety and celebration? We asked surgical technology and surgical assisting educators how their institutions approached the situation and were wowed by their dedication and creativity. Take a look in this round up of stories from across the country.

A student’s first rotation as a surgical technologist can be daunting. As educators, we want to prepare students as best we can for the operating room. But what does the operating room expect from surgical technology students? To find out more, I asked a nurse manager and an operating room (OR) educator from two different hospital systems what they expect from a surgical technology clinical student.

Surgical professionals from across the country gathered for the second annual Joint Conference of the Association of Surgical Assistants (ASA) and National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA), April 23-24 in Orlando, FL. The two-day event included hands-on learning experiences, inspiring speakers, legislative insights, and an opportunity to network with colleagues and exchange ideas.

The ARC/STSA is proud to announce the recipients of the 2021 scholarship awards. This year, ARC/STSA awarded 10 student scholarships of $500 each and one $1,000 educator scholarship. Join us in celebrating these accomplished recipients, shared below, and stay tuned for more information about their stories throughout the summer.

ARC/STSA would like to congratulate the surgical technology programs at Wallace Community College, Marion Technical College and Blackhawk Technical College for receiving initial accreditation, and Augusta Technical College for receiving continuing accreditation. Please join us in congratulating these programs for achieving this accomplishment and acknowledging the dedication and hard work it took to reach such important milestones.

From virtual simulation to synthetic cadavers and more, surgical technology and surgical assisting programs are incorporating the very latest in innovative, hands-on training activities into their curricula. The Cut Suit is a simulation tool that is worn by a live human and replicates the look and feel of traumatic injuries. Designed by surgeons for surgeons, the Cut Suit allows students to practice for high-pressure situations with room to safely make non-life threatening errors.

Southeast Community College (SCC) in Lincoln, NE, recently launched a certificate program for students looking to become surgical first assistants (SFAs). Hear from Program Director Cynthia Kreps on what drove this decision and how launching the certificate has benefitted their college and community.

How do we get students out of their seats and actively engaged in the classroom? Most instructors ponder this question for course content outside the laboratory setting. At Trine University’s Surgical Technology Program, flyswatters are a key to successfully helping student better engage in their learning experience. This common household item is useful for not only test review sessions, but also for team bonding amongst the students.

It is with a profound sense of loss that ARC/STSA says goodbye to Karen Ludwig, BA, a beloved member of the surgical education community, who passed away on February 11, 2021. Ludwig was born on October 24, 1945, near Chicago and received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Colorado. She worked at AST for more than 20 years in various capacities, primarily serving during that tenure as director of publications.