1889 Foundation is proud to award scholarships to four students enrolled in CMMC’s Program for Surgical Technology: Kalie Lysic (Jerome), Myranda Lenhart (Coalport), Megan Dumm (Northern Cambria) and Mackenzie Collins (Confluence). (PHOTO: John Hoffman, AS, CST, Surgical Technology Program Instructor; Kalie Lysic; Megan Dumm; Sue Mann, 1889 Foundation President; Mackenzie Collins; Myranda Lenhart; Patricia Pavlikowski, RN, CST, MA, CNOR Surgical Technology Program Director.)
“Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center and many hospitals throughout the country have a critical need for Certified Surgical Technologists,” said Susan Mann, president of 1889 Foundation. “1889 congratulates these fine students, who were selected for their excellence in the classroom and in clinical work.”
Certified Surgical Technologists work with surgeons, operating room nurses and other personnel to achieve excellence in the performance of surgical procedures. This may include obtaining, sterilizing and handing surgical instruments to the surgeon, and first assisting or assisting the circulator. CSTs also work in many other hospital departments such as the emergency room, GI lab, anesthesia, ambulatory surgery, cardiac cath lab, post anesthesia care, labor and delivery, and more.
The Conemaugh Program for Surgical Technology, which began in 1966, was one of the first accredited programs in the country. Conemaugh and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown have collaborated to offer both a Certificate in Surgical Technology and the Associate and/or Bachelor of Science Degree since 1998. The clinical practice component (over 1,035 hours) of the program is provided in the 19 operating rooms at CMMC as well as the new Conemaugh East Hills Outpatient Center, and includes one-week elective rotations at neighboring facilities.
The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown/Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s Program was ranked first in Pennsylvania and third in the country in 2020 per universities.com. The program has enjoyed an excellent pass rate on the National Certification Exam with 13 of the last 14 classes achieving a 100% pass rates on the first attempt. This has contributed to annual Certificates of Merit as well as the Certificate of Excellence from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Graduates find many employment opportunities after graduation. Recent classes have easily obtained 100% employment.
Pennsylvania has recently passed legislation requiring all surgical technologists to graduate from accredited programs such as Conemaugh’s.
