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Surgical Technology program celebrates 100 percent pass rate The Holmes Community College Surgical Technology programs on both the Grenada and Ridgeland campuses had a 100 percent pass rate on the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam. Holmes Surgical Technology Program Director Jessica Elliott, CST, RN, FAST, teaches the students in Grenada and Travia "Shea" Coleman, CST, B.S., teaches in Ridgeland.
"Ms. Coleman and I are so excited about the 100 percent pass rates on both campuses," Elliott said. "We met several times during the year to formulate review sessions for the students. These included several practice exams, on paper and computerized, cumulating in an intense day-long preparation and review just prior to their respective test dates to reinforce test skills.
"I am extremely proud of our students in preparing for the National Board of Surgical Technology CST exam. Hopefully they will understand now why we pushed them so hard to be successful and will look back and know that this is for their future, as more states are requiring certification as a condition of employment."
The 2017 surgical tech graduates on the Grenada Campus included: Brittany Starnes of North Carrollton, valedictorian; Meredith Moore of Grenada, salutatorian; Mya Golliday of Grenada; Jessica Holland of Calhoun City and Mary Claire Neill of Greenwood.
For the Ridgeland Campus, surgical tech graduates included Bonnie Shelley Malone of French Camp, valedictorian; Lachynna Phillips of Terry, salutatorian; Abby Hammons of Brandon; Whitney Hutchinson of Kosciusko; Mary Margaret Johnson of Vaughan and Catina Rosell of Flora.
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude," Coleman said. "These students worked really hard. I hope we can make this trend a tradition."
The surgical technology program prepares students to serve as a member of the surgical team through classroom and clinical experiences. They will work with surgeons, anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel in delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during, and after surgery.
"We have had an extremely good year for the students in the 2016- 2017 surgical technology program," Elliott said. "Two students from the Grenada Campus successfully competed in the SkillsUSA competition hosted by the Mississippi Department of Education. Brittany Starnes won first place in Medical Terminology and Meredith Moore brought home first for First Aid/CPR. Additionally, during the Association of Surgical Technologists National Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in June, Bonnie Malone from the Ridgeland Campus won an AST scholarship of $1000 and was also elected as a student liaison, which requires certification as part of representation of the student organization."
The goal of the Holmes Surgical Technology program is to provide students with the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge necessary to gain employment as a surgical technologist and become a contributing member of the healthcare team. Now that these recent graduates passed the exam, they are officially Certified Surgical Technologists.
"We are very proud of our students and instructors in the surgical technology program for such an outstanding accomplishment," said Director of Career-Technical Education Dr. Amy Whittington. "For both programs to have a 100 percent pass rate on certification exams is further evidence of the level of excellence at which this program operates throughout the Holmes Community College district. With instructors like Jessica Elliott and Shea Coleman, this was no surprise. From instruction to gaining access for crucial clinical experience, these ladies do an outstanding job leading this program at their respective sites. We look forward to many more years of success for this program."
For more information on the Holmes Surgical Technology programs, contact Elliott at jelliott@holmescc.edu or (662)227.2310.
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IN THIS PHOTO:
Pictured is the Grenada Campus Surgical Technology Class of 2017 with (fourth from left) Surgical Technology Program Director Jessica Elliott following graduation on May 12. The graduates are: (left to right) Mary Neill, Jessica Holland, Brittany Starnes, Meredith Moore and Mya Golliday.
