The ARC/STSA would like to congratulate the following surgical technology and surgical assisting programs for receiving initial accreditation in 2018. Please join us in acknowledging the dedication and hard work it took for these programs to reach an important milestone.

Surgical Assisting

  • Stark State College, North Canton, OH

Surgical Technology

  • Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO
  • Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO 
  • Linn-Benton Community College, Albany, OR
  • Prince George’s Community College, Largo, MD
  • Stark State College, North Canton, OH
  • Virginia College-Charleston, North Charleston, SC

Hear from a few program directors on the benefits of pursuing programmatic accreditation and how it strengthened their programs.

“Programmatic accreditation is necessary in Oregon due to recent legislation requiring surgical technologists to have graduated from an accredited program, as is being mandated in more and more states. I found the process of becoming accredited has definitely benefited our students and myself in that it helps you to define or clarify the standards from when the program was developed. This clarification helps me teach and maintain the highest possible standards for the program.” – Norma Cyphert, Director of Surgical Technology Program, Linn-Benton Community College

“There are very few programs in Ohio that offer an accredited Surgical Assisting Program. Students are definitely at an advantage when they complete a program that is nationally accredited, so we pursued accreditation without hesitation. It was a great professional learning experience for our faculty to have been part of this process. ARC/STSA was very supportive throughout and our site visitors offered some great suggestions and commended our efforts during their stay. We are very proud at Stark State College to be a part of ARC/STSA’s and CAAHEP’S accredited programs and feel that the accreditation will enhance the strength of our program for years to come.” – Kerry Stanziano-Bradic MaEd, CST/CSFA, CSPDT, Program Coordinator/Assistant Professor, Stark State Colllege

“The benefits of pursuing the ARC/STSA and CAAHEP accreditation for Front Range Community College was most importantly to qualify students to sit for the NBSTSA CST exam. The process of accreditation allowed our faculty and staff to examine the curriculum and clinical placement needs, provide a program that meets the needs of students and the community, and ensure students are successful in the program. The process ensured we had qualified faculty, curriculum mapped to learning outcomes, sufficient lab space, and, most importantly, sufficient clinical sites. Our program has graduated two cohorts of students who have all been successfully employed in the community. Our enrollment after accreditation filled to capacity.” – Chris Heuston, MPH, RD, Chair of the Allied Health and Education department, Front Range Community College

“The accreditation process was very valuable. It assures that all programs are following the same guidelines. The accreditation guidelines are developed to provide maximum student success and prepare students to enter the surgical technologist profession.” – Heather Gasaway, Program Coordinator of Surgical Technology, Stark State College