Per press release the Gadsden State Community College is ushering in a new chapter for its Surgical Technology Program with the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Austin as the new program director. Under her leadership, the program is set for a major “restart,” promising to strengthen the skills of future surgical technologists and meet the growing demands of the healthcare industry.
“The Surgical Technology Program is designed to prepare entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains to enter the profession,” she said. “I’m honored to be a part of bringing this valuable career field to the communities in our region.”
Austin, a native of Crossville, Tenn., has worked in surgical technology for over two decades. She decided to become a surgical technologist after undergoing surgery herself.
“When I went into the operating room, I saw a high school classmate of mine who was a surgical tech,” she said. “At first, I was very scared and upset. I had never had surgery before. He really calmed me down. He held my hand and reassured me that they would take great care of me. He comforted me when I needed comforting the most. I woke up from surgery and immediately said, ‘I know what I want to do now.’”
Austin enrolled in the Surgical Technology Program at the Tennessee Technology Center and earned a diploma in 2004. Five years later, she continued her education at Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tenn., earning an Associate in Applied Sciences.
In 2016, Austin earned a bachelor’s degree in Surgical Technology and a Master of Arts in Leadership in Higher Education from Siena Heights University in Michigan. She most recently earned a Doctorate of Education in August from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
While furthering her education, she continued to grow in her profession. For 11 years, she worked as a certified surgical technologist for four Tennessee medical facilities. In 2015, she became an educator and worked as the program director of Surgical Technology at Keiser University in Clearwater, Fla., and Virginia College in Knoxville. Her most recent position was the director of the Surgical Technology Program and director of Central Processing at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn.
“I’m proud to have been a part of the initial accreditation at two of the institutions I previously worked,” she said. “It’s certainly a challenge to work towards an accreditation from a national organization, but it’s such a joy when accreditation is awarded and you know your students are going to get the best possible education and training.”
Austin has been an on-site evaluator since 2019 for the Accreditation Review Council in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. She is also the vice president of the Tennessee Association of Surgical Technologists and a member of the AST National Board of Directors.
Austin was named the Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists in 2021. The FAST award is given to those who have upheld the highest professional, ethical and moral standards and traditions of the surgical technology profession, and whose professional activity has been devoted to the advancement of the profession towards improving the quality of surgical patient care.
“I’m grateful that I chose this career field,” she said. “It has been incredibly rewarding. The work we do directly impacts patient outcomes, which makes our field not only essential but deeply rewarding.”
Austin is already hard at work rebuilding the program for Gadsden State. Previously, the College’s Surgical Operating Room Technician Program awarded certificates to students entering the field. It is now transitioning to a degree-granting program that is tentatively scheduled to begin in January.
“The program is going to provide quality surgical technologists to medical facilities in our area,” Austin said. “In this day and age, having certified surgical techs is important. An accredited program that leads to certification provides standards that are needed for our students.”
Austin, who started her new job Feb. 3, said she is currently in the process of getting the program accredited by a national accrediting organization. Online applications will be accepted for the first cohort of students beginning Nov. 1.
“Our program will take five semesters to complete following a semester of general academic courses,” she said. “Following completion of the program, graduates can take a national certification examination to obtain the surgical technology credential. A surgical technologist can earn positions in a hospital operating room, inpatient and outpatient surgery centers, labor and delivery units, physicians’ offices, veterinary offices and central sterile supply departments, to name a few employment opportunities.”
She said surgical technologists are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care.
“Surgical technologists have a number of responsibilities,” Austin said. “We prepare operating rooms, pass instruments and assist surgeons in any way needed to ensure safe and efficient surgical procedures. We are also patient advocates. We speak for the patient when they can’t speak for themselves. We protect them from any hazards or dangers while they are in their most vulnerable state.”
While the career can be stressful, Austin said it can be fun.
“Surgical technologists enjoy the work we do,” she said. “We enjoy taking care of patients. We enjoy the camaraderie on the surgical team. We work as a unit; a well-oiled machine. It’s an exciting career. Yes, it can be a little stressful but it’s fun to work in a team atmosphere.”
In addition to transitioning to a degree program, the lab located on the Ayers Campus in Anniston is being redeveloped with new equipment and supplies.
“Our lab will be realistic to what an operating room actually looks like,” Austin said. “Our students will have a great experience in the lab on campus before they even go to clinical sites. Students are going to receive the highest quality education at Gadsden State.”
