7 July ICC's Surgical Tech graduates to receive diplomas July 14 July 7, 2021 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 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. Related Articles 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 ... PN, Surgical Tech commencement set for July 11 Several area residents will participate in a commencement ceremony for the Practical Nursing and Surgical Technology programs at Itawamba Community College at 5 p.m., July 11, at the W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center auditorium at the Fulton Campus. Practical nursing graduates include Katie Davis, Bobbie Nicole Doster, Lea McFarling, Marissa Wade, all of Amory; Kristie Dennis of Baldwyn; Victoria Cousar of Blue Mountain; Cocovia Millsap of Columbus; Sarah Dial, Haley Williams, both of Fulton; Emily Waltmon of Hamilton; Hannah Beth Crudup of Houlka; Allie Bethune of Pontotoc; Annika Arnold of Saltillo; Clay Stegall of Shannon; Meranda Magee of Starkville; Tori Griffin of Thaxton; Velva Evans of Tishomingo; Jamie Holland of Tremont; Catrina Brown, Glenn Thomas, both of Tupelo; and Alexis Hannah of West Point. Graduates of the surgical technology program are Jeremy Gambrel of Blue Springs; Haley Harbin of Caledonia; Samantha Damrom, Hannah Johnson, Laluh Kelley, all of Fulton; Chelsea Buse of Guntown; Ashley Roth of Hamilton; Codi K. Gentry, Paulina Joy Gumm, both of Mooreville; Nikki Bullock, Charissa Grissom, both of New Albany; Bryana Gailard of Ripley; Michelle L. McCaine ... ICC's Precision Machining Technology program receives $20,000 Gene Haas Foundation grant Itawamba Community College’s Precision Machining Technology program has received a $20,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation. According to Dylan Baldwin, ICC’s dean of Career Education, the funds are being used for financial aid for several students. “We appreciate very much the investment by the Haas Foundation in ICC’s Precision Machining Technology program,” Baldwin said. “Not only is it an investment in the program, but it is an investment in the futures of our students.” In 1999, Gene Haas formed the foundation, which bears his name because he grew up with a strong social conscience instilled by his family. It was initially designed to fund the needs of the local community. Haas Automation is now a billion-dollar company. The focus of the foundation has shifted to current outreach and methodology. Its purpose is to introduce students to careers in machine technology and manufacturing, to build skills in the machining industry and to help military veterans enroll in programs that train them to become skilled machinists. ICC’s Precision Machining Technology program is designed to prepare individuals for various-level positions in precision high-tech manufacturing. ... ICC's Precision Machining Technology students receive new toolboxes, courtesy of a generous Haas Foundation grant Students in Itawamba Community College’s Precision Machining Technology program have a new toolbox, courtesy of a generous grant by the Gene Haas Foundation. Among the items in the five-drawer steel tool roller cabinet are a micrometer set; caliper; steel rule; tape measure; adjustable wrench; hex key, drill bit and L-handle sets; hammer; sharpening stone and flat file. “We would like to thank the Gene Haas Foundation for their generous contribution and support of our program and for the difference the toolboxes will make not only in the success of our students but also when they graduate and enter the workforce,” said instructor Jerry Pettigrew. The students will be allowed to keep them as a gift from the Foundation. “In addition, we appreciate MSC Industrial Supply Co. for their assistance in putting together this starter toolbox for our students.” MSC is a leading North American distributor of a broad range of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations products and services. Recipients include Caleb Johnson, Cole Nichols, Parker Rogers, all of Blue Springs; Tyrus ... 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 ... Comments are closed.