Related Articles

• ICC's Surgical Tech graduates to receive diplomas July 14

              Several area residents will complete Itawamba Community College’s Surgical Technology program and receive their diplomas, July 14.             They include Ainsley Sloan of Amory; Hannah Morris of Bruce; Alexandria Blanchard of Fulton; Angelica Jackson of Gattman; Audrianna Crane of Holly Springs; Ashlynne Trantham of Mooreville; Kaitlyn Bennett, Lillian Dodds, both of Pontotoc; Brandy Murphy of Saltillo; Ashley Millis of Starkville; Nicole Hightower and Heather Hudson, both of Tupelo.             Surgical Technology, which is a one-year (three-semester) program, prepares graduates to serve as members of the surgical team. Technologists work with surgeons and other surgical personnel in delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery. Graduates receive a certificate of completion or with some additional academic courses may receive the Associate of Applied Science degree. They are eligible to take the national credentialing exam to become a certified surgical technologist.  Tonya Vaughn of Mantachie is the program director, and Jennifer McCoy of Pontotoc, the lab/clinical instructor.
• ICC graduates receive associate's degrees, certificates

  Several area residents were among those who earned Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates at the conclusion of the 2023 spring semester at Itawamba Community College.             They include             Aberdeen – Nina Margaret Coker, A.A.; Eryn Tiara Dancy, A.A.; Kiersten Nahyira Dancy, A.A.; Jamaiya NaSha Fears, A.A.; Isabella R. Frantz, A.A.; McKenze L. Gates, A.A.; Tyler Jaudon Gill, A.A.S.; Cooper L. Hill, A.A.S.; Catherine Wallis Hoffman, A.A.; Jamiyah Hoskins, A.A.; Jaylan L. Loggan, A.A.; Brooklyn L. Oconnor, A.A.; Lillian M. Ratliff, A.A.; Martha Gail Smith, A.A.S.; Madelyn Nicole Stacy, A.A.; Nathan Terrell Tumblin, A.A.S.; Donovan Lewis Turner, A.A.S.; Kaleb S. Wilkinson, A.A.; Lera Ashtin Winders, A.A.;             Ackerman – Addison L. Stacy, A.A.;             Algoma – Claire Elizabeth Caldwell, A.A.;             Amory – Kaya D. Baker, A.A.; Kelly Leigh Barnett, A.A.S.; Emily P. Booth, A.A.S.; Taylor M. Braxton, A.A.; Anthony Reece Cantrell, A.A.; Matthew Kohl Carter, A.A.S.; Sarah Kate Coleman, A.A.; Kathryn R. Cooke, A.A.; Austin M. Cox, A.A.S.; Jacob Cade Cumberland, A.A.S., certificate; Rebecca C. Dill, A.A.; Jacob M. Dillard, A.A.S.; Mackenzie Lea Gallop, A.A.S.; Kameron ...
• ICC Surgical Technology students prepare to be 'unsung heroes'

             In the 1940s, surgical technology became an official career path due to the demands of operating rooms in World War II although the first public use of anesthesia was in 1846.             Extreme cleanliness and sterilization weren’t normal household words until COVID-19’s extensive global impact. Masks and hand sanitizers became the norm for every individual as well as using cleaning solutions to prevent the spread of disease in homes across the world.  However, those words, cleanliness and sterilization, have always been a significant part of the vocabulary of Surgical Technologists, who have made them a priority since the late 1800s.             With this awareness comes an enhanced appreciation of the unsung heroes of operating rooms worldwide.             According to the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, individuals who are interested in becoming a Surgical Technologist must be detail-oriented since errors could be life threatening. Additional qualities include working well under pressure and having great communication skills.             Surgical Technologists serve as members of the surgical team and work with surgeons, anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists, registered ...
• ICC's Surgical Technology program achieves 100 percent pass rate

              Itawamba Community College has received the annual merit award from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for achieving a 100 percent pass rate on the Certified Surgical Technologist examination for the cycle of Aug. 1, 2017-July 31, 2018.             Graduates obtaining national certification as a CST demonstrate by examination understanding of the basic competencies for safe patient care in the operating room. The CST is widely recognized in the healthcare community as the foremost credential for surgical technologists in the nation. The CST is required for employment within many local, state and national healthcare organizations.             “Receiving the Merit Award from NBSTSA is the highest professional honor bestowed upon accredited Surgical Technology programs,” said Tonya Vaughn, ICC Surgical Technology program director. “This honor is a reflection of the unmatched dedication of our program’s students, many of whom have work and family obligations in addition to academic and clinical responsibilities. I am both extremely proud and profoundly honored to help prepare and encourage these capable students as they work to become indispensable members ...
• ICC's Surgical Technology program adds laparoscopic simulator

              Itawamba Community College’s Surgical Technology majors will now benefit from top-of-the line equipment as they prepare to enter their field of study.             ICC’s program is the first in the state that has added a laparoscopic simulator, which is a tool that demonstrates virtually all major abdominal surgical procedures, chest procedures and pelvic procedures, allowing learners to begin to familiarize themselves with performance methodologies.             Simulation training services can augment learners’ dexterity and visualization; eliminate the ergonomic discomfort of long surgery services and work to turn simulators into an essential technology for the patient, learners and hospitals.             “Access to this simulator, which is used in medical schools across the country, will enable our students to develop advanced technological literacy as they train to become vital members of the surgical team,” said Tonya Vaughn, program director. “It is absolutely remarkable.”             Vaughn said that simulation offers a way for learners to master new skill sets without practicing on real-life patients. “This is important because often the complexity ...
• ICC graduates receive diplomas, certificates during May 16 ceremonies

  Approximately 1,000 Itawamba Community College graduates crossed the stage at the Davis Event Center on the Fulton Campus, May 16, during three commencement ceremonies and were rewarded with Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates.             Among them included a 15-year-old and his mother, a native of South Africa, a 32-year-old high school equivalency graduate, an amputee and one who started the pursuit of her college diploma more than 20 years ago.             Lathan Jon Austin Nunley of New Albany said he “nervously but excitedly stepped into the world of college. Today, I’m proud to say I’m graduating with my first degree – alongside my mother, who has supported me every step of the way.” His educational journey began at home where his mother homeschooled him ‘from birth to eighth grade.’ “With her guidance and the encouragement of those around me, I was taught to believe that anything is possible. That mindset pushed me to graduate high school at just 13 years old through Penn Foster.” His ultimate goal is to work in the tech field. “I ...