Blinn College District honors its newest class of surgical technology graduates

Program prepares students for high-demand field in the healthcare industry

July 31, 2023

The Blinn College District recently recognized its Surgical Technology Program Class of 2023 with a pinning ceremony recognizing their ability to serve as valuable surgical team members and dedicated patient advocates.

Graduates received their pins after successfully completing a rigorous 20-month program that includes lecture and laboratory classes as well as clinical observation and operating room experience.

The 2023 graduating class includes Jessica Mauricio (Bryan), Serena Munsinger (Columbus), Yesenia Penaloza (Madisonville), Samuel Rosas-Esquivel (Bryan), and Dakota Steinbecker (Milano).

“Surgical technology is a specialized field and these graduates have excelled both in their coursework and clinical rotations,” Program Director Linda Hill said. “This pinning ceremony is a celebration of their accomplishments and the skills they have acquired to make a positive impact on the patients they serve and the healthcare teams they support.”

Surgical technologists are an integral part of the surgical team, assisting surgeons, anesthesiologists, and registered nurses in providing care to patients in the operating room. They ensure that equipment functions properly and operative procedures are conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Blinn’s Surgical Technology Program is based at the RELLIS Academic Complex at Texas A&M-RELLIS in Bryan, which features state-of-the-art simulation labs and an innovative learning environment.

In addition to their classes, Blinn surgical technology students gain hands-on clinical experience at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-College Station, CHI St. Joseph Hospital, the CHI St. Joseph Medical Center, and The Physicians Centre Hospital. Graduates must complete more than 120 surgical cases across a variety of surgical specialties. This training provides students a direct link with area hospitals and graduates have successfully obtained employment at many of the same facilities where they refined their skills.

“If you want to help people and that’s what you’re called to do, this is a great place to start,” Rosas-Esquivel said. “The Surgical Technology Program has opened doors to me that I didn’t realize I had available until I applied and was accepted. This is a great program to get your feet wet, to get into the medical field, and see if this is what you want to do.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists earn a median salary of $48,510 per year and Texas has the nation’s highest demand for surgical technologists.

Surgical technologists often are employed at hospitals but can work in any setting that conducts surgical procedures, including doctor’s offices, day surgery facilities, and dental offices. Blinn’s Surgical Technology Program also can provide a launching pad to other healthcare careers.

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/surgical-technology.