Anniston, AL – Gadsden State Community College is revitalizing its Surgical Technology Program with the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Austin as the new program director. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the skills of future surgical technologists and addressing the growing demands of the healthcare industry.
“The Surgical Technology Program is designed to prepare entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains to enter the profession,” Austin stated. “I’m honored to be a part of bringing this valuable career field to the communities in our region.”
Austin, a native of Crossville, Tenn., has over two decades of experience in surgical technology. Her passion for the field was sparked by a personal experience in an operating room, where a former classmate, working as a surgical technologist, provided her with reassurance before undergoing surgery. Inspired by this encounter, she pursued a diploma in Surgical Technology from the Tennessee Technology Center in 2004, followed by an Associate in Applied Sciences from Roane State Community College in 2009. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in Surgical Technology and a Master of Arts in Leadership in Higher Education from Siena Heights University in Michigan. Most recently, she completed a Doctorate of Education from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in August 2023.
Austin has an extensive background in both the medical and academic fields. She worked for 11 years as a certified surgical technologist across multiple Tennessee medical facilities before transitioning into education. She has served as the program director of Surgical Technology at Keiser University in Clearwater, Fla., Virginia College in Knoxville, and Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn., where she also oversaw Central Processing.
“I’m proud to have been a part of the initial accreditation at two of the institutions I previously worked,” Austin said. “It’s certainly a challenge to work towards accreditation from a national organization, but it’s such a joy when accreditation is awarded, ensuring students receive the best possible education and training.”
Austin is an on-site evaluator for the Accreditation Review Council in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting and serves as vice president of the Tennessee Association of Surgical Technologists. In 2021, she was awarded the Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists (FAST), recognizing her commitment to professional excellence and patient care.
Under Austin’s leadership, Gadsden State’s Surgical Technology Program is undergoing a significant transition from a certificate-based program to a degree-granting program, set to begin in January. The initiative includes accreditation efforts, new equipment for the lab on the Ayers Campus in Anniston, and an enhanced curriculum designed to align with industry standards.
“The program is going to provide quality surgical technologists to medical facilities in our area,” Austin said. “Having certified surgical techs is crucial, and an accredited program ensures that students meet the necessary standards.”
Applications for the program’s first cohort will be accepted online starting Nov. 1. The program spans five semesters following a semester of general academic courses, culminating in a national certification examination. Graduates will be equipped for careers in hospitals, surgery centers, labor and delivery units, physician offices, veterinary offices, and central sterile supply departments.
“Surgical technologists play a crucial role in patient care,” Austin emphasized. “We prepare operating rooms, assist surgeons, and advocate for patients while they are at their most vulnerable. It’s a demanding but incredibly rewarding career.”
Austin is committed to ensuring that Gadsden State students receive top-tier education and hands-on experience, preparing them for success in the surgical technology field.
For more information about the Surgical Technology Program, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/HealthSciences.
