Trocaire's surgical technology program was recently congratulated by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for achieving a 92 percent graduate pass rate of the Certified Surgical Technologist exam for Aug. 1, 2015-July 1, 2016. The organization bestowed its annual merit award upon the college as a result.

"The CST is widely recognized in the health care community as the foremost credential for surgical technologists in the nation," the NBSTSA said in a statement. "Certification as a surgical technologist exhibits professional pride, the desire to be recognized for mastery of surgical competencies, and most importantly an ongoing commitment to quality patient care."

Surgical technologists play a crucial role on surgical teams, working closely with surgeons, registered nurses, and anesthesiologists to provide the best possible care for the patient undergoing a surgical intervention. Their primary role is to prepare a sterile field and pass instruments to the surgeon during the surgical procedure.

At Trocaire, the two-year associate's in applied science surgical technology degree program combines theoretical education with laboratory practice and four full semesters of real-world clinical experience to teach students critical professional concepts and skills relating to patient need, surgical conditions, asepsis, surgical routines and human behavior, communication and caring.

Linda Kerwin, dean of the division of health professions at Trocaire and the surgical technology program director, attributes the program's success to its hard-working and passionate faculty.

"It is the teamwork driven by Trocaire's unwavering surgical technology faculty who yield our successful CST pass rates year after year," she said. "Without their resolute devotion to the program, I fear the results would waver considerably. I am privileged to have such cultivated, knowledgeable faculty onboard."

Founded in 1958 in Buffalo by the Sisters of Mercy, Trocaire College is a private, career-oriented Catholic college that strives to empower students toward personal enrichment, dignity and self-worth through education. A career-oriented institution, Trocaire offers three bachelor's degrees, 12 associate degrees and eight certificate programs in health care, business and technology. Recognizing the individual needs of a diverse student body, Trocaire College provides life learning and development within a community-based environment, preparing students for service in the universal community.

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