Louisville News
Campus News & Events
Surgical Technology Success
The Louisville & Lexington Campuses continue to see success through the Surgical Technology program. We recently caught up with six students completing their externships at Norton Healthcare Pavilion; (pictured from left to right) Emily Ockerman, Toni Davis (who was featured in the National News on May 9), Kamaisha Sanders, Alexandra Light, Deuana Gentry, and Leslie Baker-Tanuis are all working towards an associate degree in the surgical technology program.
Like many students that attend National College, Deuana Gentry was ready for a career change when she decided to enroll. “I’m a [certified nursing assistant] … and I just wanted to try something different.”
“I’ve been a CNA for 13 years and I wanted something more”
Also a certified nursing assistant, Kamaisha Sanders liked the surgical technology program for many reasons including the ability to earn the associate degree. “I’ve been a CNA for 13 years and I wanted something more,” said Kamaisha who also chose National because of its reputation and it was more convenient than other schools.
Emily Ockerman says she has always been interested in the medical field. She would watch all kinds of medical shows on TV, everything from documentaries on the Discovery Channel to ER. Surgical technology was a perfect fit as she enjoys the hands-on aspect of the program and career field.
Alexandra Light is fascinated with surgery, “I’ve always been interested in the inside of [the human] body.” The surgical technology program appealed to her interest and sounded like something she could do.
Leslie Baker-Tanuis said she wanted a job where she could help people. At first she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to go into nursing but she ultimately decided to enroll at National. She decided to pursue a degree in surgical technology because she liked being able to help patients in the operating room and then pass them on to others to continue their care.
With 20 operating rooms at Norton, all of the externs like the excitement and pace of a large hospital environment. Each one said they would like to work in the same kind of environment upon graduation.
Louisville's Director of Surgical Technology Kelli Johnston feels the environment is perfect for her students: “It’s a much larger hospital, so they would be able, if they wanted to, to ‘downsize’ to a smaller hospital.” But are mere students really ready for the challenge of a large, fast-paced health care environment? Kelli thinks so. “They’ve got to make it past me to get out here," she says, as the students all nod in unison, "so I know they can make it!”
