Celebrate National Surgical Technologists Week and Share the Value of Accredited Programs

In recognition of National Surgical Technologists Week, which has been celebrated during the third week in September since 1984, the Accreditation Review Council in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) would like to express our sincere appreciation for surgical technology educators and program directors who support and encourage students to become surgical technology professionals. We appreciate all that our educators have done and continue to do to advance the profession. Equally, we would like to acknowledge all the surgical technologists who have graduated from a programmatically accredited surgical technology program and have earned national certification as a surgical technologist.

While progress has been made, much work is in front of us, especially with workforce shortages in many states. Please take the time to read the linked statement that outlines the value of accredited surgical technology programs, the challenges that the profession faces, and the outreach that ARC/STSA has undertaken to promote fully qualified professionals in the operating room. We encourage you to share the statement with your school administrators, program advisory committee members, clinical affiliates, local community hospitals, as well as state assemblies and state leadership.

We look forward to supporting you and your programs and educating the public about the essential work of our accredited educational programs.

Thank you,

Erin White-Mincarelli, PhD, MS, CST, FAST

President, ARC/STSA Board of Directors