For many, this semester has been stressful, but it has also been a time of resilience. Students and teachers have joined forces to overcome obstacles and make the most of this experience. Enjoy these stories of hope and inspiration from educators across the country.
ARC/STSA is pleased to share that Erin Monroy has been promoted to operations coordinator, and Kayla Tufano has been promoted to accreditation specialist.
ARC/STSA would like to congratulate the following surgical technology and surgical assisting programs for recently receiving grants of initial and continuing accreditation. Please join us in acknowledging the dedication and hard work it took for these programs to reach such important milestones.
In the last month, our programs and institutions have faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Our educators have worked tirelessly to continue to teach courses and serve students as their physical campuses close across the Nation. Despite these extraordinary circumstances, it has been inspiring to watch our educators face these challenges with fortitude and to see our community rally together. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your perseverance, ability to adapt, and your commitment to your students and communities.
School and clinical closures have caused institutions to quickly assess how to help their students learn in a new, virtual environment. We spoke with Logan Threet, CST, to understand how his institution made the transition, as well as how he collaborated with other organizations to keep their semester going strong. Gain his perspective on the situation, as well as resources for your organization during this challenging time.
Keeping students engaged in the classroom is among an educator’s top priorities. With the transition to online learning in light of COVID-19, this has become paramount. In this Q&A, hear from Mayo Clinic's Helga Olson, CSA, CSFA, MS, on how she uses Pear Deck, an online, interactive tool, to enhance her student's experience. At the time of writing, Olson was using the tool in-person, but it can also be used online as students learn remotely.
At the Louisiana State Assembly Educational Workshop in March, Dr. Elise Juergens, a perioperative circulating nurse turned scholar, brought to light that we are all guilty of overlooking our own self-care. Lack of self-care quickly leads to burnout, and given the tumultuous environment currently being experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic, her message could not have been received at a more valuable time.
As program directors and instructors, we know the many challenges of running a surgical technology program. What we don’t always know is what our students might be going through outside the classroom. This requires educators and student support systems to use a variety of tools to meet the needs of students.
One area in which new surgical technology program directors can enhance their programs is through grants. At Madisonville Community College, I have been very fortunate to work with David Schuermer and Craig Dixon, two grant specialists who frequently lend their expertise and insight when it comes to all things grants. Through their efforts, we have been able to obtain items for the surgical technology program that have enhanced the students’ learning experience. Just a few of those items include a surgical table, surgical instruments and a LAPSIM training system.
Oftentimes, program instructors will invite guest lecturers into the classroom to provide students with an outside perspective. These guests can range from operating room managers to human resources experts, and their visits serve as an opportunity for students to get face time with potential employers.
