Monthly Archives: December 2016

As a surgical technology program director, I believe it is imperative that faculty are supported to attend conferences. It is extremely important for one to increase their understanding and knowledge in their respective field. Conferences give faculty the opportunity to stay abreast of the latest evidence-based practices, guidelines, protocols, procedures and technological advances. They also provide faculty the opportunity to network and build working relationships across the country.

Deans and administrators are often responsible for providing the funds and approving time away for program directors to receive professional development in their specialty fields. With decreasing state funding and shrinking budgets, this is not always an easy task. However, it is a vital task that should not be forgotten. Not only is it imperative and required for directors to actively participate in professional development; it is ultimately the backbone for disseminating current knowledge to our students. The monetary support of professional development activities results in the increased intellectual growth of the director and the programs in which they serve. This growth can result in better communication, expansion of knowledge, increased networking and, most importantly, the rejuvenation of motivation.

This journey may sound familiar to some, but each time I reflect upon it, I am amazed at the number of twists and turns. Barely old enough to buy scratch-off tickets, I learned to work alongside some of the most dedicated and passionate people on Earth as a surgical technologist. I didn’t really understand the magnitude of actually saving lives at that point. Naiveté was a blessing, I guess. My first full-time job was working at a rural hospital in Bennington, Vermont, making $7.50 an hour. The facility didn’t even have a job description for me. It astounds me to think about how far the profession has come since then.

As 2016 draws to a close, ARC/STSA is pleased to congratulate institutions that were awarded Initial Accreditation or Continuing Accreditation of either their surgical technology or surgical assisting programs in 2016.