Yearly Archives: 2017

Visit the ARC/STSA Facebook page to see the fun and innovative methods Glendale Career College instructor Art Busch, CST, uses to teach his surgical technology students.

2017 was a year full of transitions at the ARC/STSA office, all focused on improved services to our programs and students, as well as expanding accreditation and education offerings to our communities of interest. With changes in staffing and a realignment of responsibilities, let’s revisit who’s who at the ARC/STSA and the primary services they provide for you.

Earlier this year, the Harvard Business Review reported on the increasing trend of surgeons leveraging social media to enhance their skills and share knowledge with others. As the surgical field grows in size and complexity, those in the profession are no longer relying on conferences and informal hallway conversations alone. And while the advent of online discussion forums is nothing new to medical professionals across the board, the pervasive nature and ease of access of social media is undeniable, making it an ideal choice for peer-to-peer learning.

Transitioning to an associate degree program can increase credibility and open doors for graduates. Learn how Kevin Craycraft helped pioneer this transition for Bluegrass Community and Technical College, with Kentucky Community & Technical College System.

The ARC/STSA Board of Directors held its fall meeting in September 2017. Programs will receive official notification of all actions in November 2017 via the Fall Notify. Here are a number of actions coming out of the meeting.

It seems like just yesterday that I stepped into my new role as the director of a surgical technology program. Like many of you, I had been a clinician and had to adjust not only to teaching, but the administrative duties required of a program director. The way the program was designed at the time, a part-time instructor and I had the students in class or clinical 40 hours a week. It was hard to even conceive of doing the administrative duties. As a mother of young children, I worked 10 hours a day, then spent most evenings at the dining room table preparing my next day’s lessons. In spite of coming into a program that was established and well organized, I was totally exhausted. Why did I do it? I felt I had a calling. I enjoyed working with learners in the OR, I liked passing on my knowledge to others and helping them apply that knowledge. I also felt I had some leadership skills that would assist me in managing the program.  I had no idea of all the work involved, but in the long run it was worth it. It didn’t take long for my job to become my third “baby” that I nurtured, developed and loved just as I did my two sons. So, how do you care for your new baby? And yourself?

The Accreditation Review Council on Education for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) welcomes Christy Baily-Byers as the Director of Education Services beginning November 2017. In this role, Baily-Byers will be responsible for the development and delivery of accreditation-related education programs and outreach activities of the ARC/STSA, including marketing and constituent communications. Baily-Byers previously served as the manager of training and [...]