The ARC/STSA wishes to extend a special thank you to Helga Olson, MA, MSc., CSA, CSFA. Olson served from 2016–2022 on the ARC/STSA Board of Directors – Subcommittee on Accreditation for Surgical Assisting (SASA), and we are so grateful for her volunteerism and six years of tireless service contributed. Olson, pictured left, earned her Bachelor of Science in Counseling Psychology [...]
By Rebecca Hall, MS, CRCST, CSA, CST, FAST Recognized for the sixth consecutive year as a tech-savvy college by the Center for Digital Education, Delta College incorporates technology to improve curriculum delivery and service across its programs. Following this tradition, our surgical first assistant and surgical technology programs were the first in the state of Michigan to use the Anatomage [...]
Featuring Erin White-Mincarelli, PhD, CST, FAST Dr. Erin White-Mincarelli, surgical technology program director at Montgomery County Community College in Pennsylvania and ARC/STSA board member, speaks with ARC/STSA’s education coordinator, Erin Monroy, about the new Annual Report platform and provides guidance for report submission, which has been extended through August 1, 2022. Erin Monroy: How lucky am I to interview a webinar [...]
By Jay Barrueta, AAS, CST Creativity and hands-on learning are a necessity for keeping students engaged, but what other solutions can instructors use to put our creative energy to better use and provide students the best preparation for surgery? Our program has started using Mock Medical drop-ins, trainers, and laparoscopic tower to give students a realistic surgical simulation experience that [...]
By Chris Ahearn, AAS, CST Surgical Technology educators from around the country met virtually on February 24 for our third Better Together brainstorming event of 2022. Recruiting and retaining top surgical technology students was on everyone’s mind, and the ideas shared will help shape the future of surgical technology education for the betterment of our students, our programs, and especially our [...]
The ARC/STSA is honored to join the Association of Surgical Assistants and the National Surgical Assistant Association this week, April 18 -22, 2022, to pay tribute to surgical assistants during National Surgical Assistants Week. Many thanks to each of you for your hard work, long hours and fervent commitment to patient safety. We would also like to express our gratitude to [...]
By Tracey Houston, CSFA, CST The Third Annual Joint Conference of the Association of Surgical Assistants and National Surgical Assistant Association took place on April 1-2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference offered a range of workshops and discussions on emerging trends in the world of surgical assisting, including scientific presentations, multi-station workshops featuring the latest in surgical techniques, and legislative [...]
ARC/STSA is proud to celebrate our golden anniversary this year – 50 years of accreditation and program excellence. Throughout the year, we’ll be looking back at the last five decades — from our humble beginnings in December 1972 as the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs for the Operating Room Technician (JRC-ORT) to today, as we provide national accreditation services for [...]
We are thrilled to announce that two outstanding professionals have joined the ARC/STSA team. Join us in welcoming Accreditation Manager Rob Blackston and Operations Coordinator Kari Allen. Accreditation Manager Rob Blackston, MEd, CSFA, CST, FAST Rob Blackston, MEd, CSFA, CST, FAST, joined the ARC/STSA as its Accreditation Manager on April 1, 2022. Blackston will serve in accreditation services and will [...]
By Ron Kruzel, MA, CAE, CST, ARC/STSA Executive Director Valentine’s greetings from all of us here at the ARC/STSA! Who do we love?! Our surgical technology and surgical assisting educators! So much is happening at the ARC/STSA with the start of 2022. November and December saw CAAHEP approval of the surgical technology Standards and Guidelines, launch of the Core Curriculum [...]
