After graduation, I moved back near my hometown to pursue a career with Mercy Hospital in Northwest Arkansas as a CST. I loved every aspect of surgery during my clinical rotations but my favorite specialty was neurosurgery. Mercy NWA is currently expanding to offer neurosurgery, so I'm very excited to be a part of the neuro team in a few short months!

My dream had always been to become a pharmacist, but after working in pharmacy for 5 years during undergraduate courses, I had a change of heart. It wasn't right for me; there was something else out there. Then I discovered the surgical tech program at my school and fell in love with it. I love being able to be hands-on during patient care and to see the difference you're making in a person's life with your own actions, right there in front of you. I look forward to working in such an exciting, fast-paced environment and learning new things every day.

I am extremely honored and grateful to have been awarded the Cengage Learning Scholarship. I graduated from my program two weeks ago, and am very excited to be starting my new career as a Certified Surgical Technologist in less than one week.

I applied to the surgical technology program at my school because I wanted to work in labor and delivery. I have known that I wanted to help deliver babies since I was 4 years old. I never imagined how many other specialties I would grow to love while working through my clinical rotations, though. I am amazed daily by the things I get to see and do. I truly believe this is a career I will wake up every day excited about.

I was offered and accepted my dream job working in labor and delivery at a hospital I love! When I began this program, I could not have imagined wanting to work in any other department. Now that I have graduated, I know I have a passion for surgeries in several different specialties. My goal is to cross-train in the main OR, so I can continue to gain knowledge and skills in all areas. I hope to continue my education by working toward becoming a surgical PA. I am looking forward to having a career I love, and one that makes my sons proud. I want to thank you again for awarding me this generous scholarship.

I'm 21 years old, and I decided to make surgical technology my forever career. I attended Ulster BOCES for health occupations and CNA in my 11th and 12th grade years of high school, which opened up so many doors for me. These two years of learning made me realize that I was meant to work in this field, and my passion for helping others had just begun. After graduating from Rondout Valley High School in 2016, I decided I wanted to further my experience in the medical field. I applied into the surgical technology program, and was officially accepted in June of 2018. Joining this program was a very big commitment, but I was ready to dedicate all of my time to what would eventually be my future.

Getting to experience what I have experienced in just 10 months is indescribable. Going to multiple clinical locations, meeting new people every day, and working alongside others who were willing to teach me everything I needed to know as a surgical technologist is one of the biggest honors as student. Knowing that I get to graduate and do what I love every single day is incredible, and I wouldn't be where I am without this program.

After graduation I plan to start applying for jobs, start taking on interviews, and preparing myself for my new career. I'm very excited to see where this amazing opportunity takes me, and I can't wait to become an asset to a great surgical team one day!

I am a recent graduate and I am just starting my new career as a certified surgical technologist. I decided to go back to school after getting married and having a daughter, so that I would be able to help take care of my family, do something I can be proud of, as well as find a career that would make me feel fulfilled and makes a difference in the world. I was lucky enough to get hired right out of school by my second clinical site. Being able to start there as a student and continue on as an employee was an amazing opportunity and helped my transition into this profession.

I am excited to finally start my career and wake up to do what I love every day. It is great to feel like you are a part of something important and truly make a difference in patients' lives and their experience during such a stressful time. Every day is exciting and different, I enjoy learning something new every day. Every nurse, doctor, or fellow surgical technologist has some knowledge, tip, or advice that will make me a better tech and I truly value their time and willingness to teach me.

Before discovering my passion for surgical technology, I was in the banking business for 15 years. Banking was just a job to me, never a career, and I longed to be part of the medical profession. It was a scary decision to embark on a new career path at my age, but I began my journey during the summer of 2016. Anatomy turned out to be a favorite subject, so I knew I made the right decision. I will become a CST upon completing my certification in July.

There are many reasons why I chose to become a surgical technologist. First and foremost, it was for the patient. I love being part of a team that improves the quality of life for each patient that is wheeled through the operating room doors. Second, I love every aspect of the operating room: the smells, the sterile field, the instruments, and the procedure itself. I am proud to be one of the few that can participate in surgery. Each surgery is unique, and the human body constantly amazes me. I believe the magic of the OR will never fade. Thank you to my fellow classmates, instructors, preceptors and surgeons who have taken the time to teach and mold me into the surgical technologist I have become today.

Upon graduation, I plan to work in a community hospital. I have not chosen a specialty yet because I love them all! I would also like to be part of mission trip to help children in need in developing countries. Seeing a smile on a child's face, along with the appreciation of the family, is a humbling, worthwhile experience that I look forward to being a part of.

I grew up on a farm in the rural town of Charlotte, Michigan. I graduated from Charlotte High School in spring 2007 and attended Michigan State University the following fall. I graduated with a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University majoring in human biology in 2012. Over the next few years, I was working as a certified ophthalmic assistant to gain clinical experience and contemplate which direction I wanted to take my career path.

After much research and deliberation, I found surgical technology to be not only an exciting and interesting career, but a rewarding one as well. I found interest in learning the equipment that is used for surgery and how things work. As well as standing with the surgeon to help assist in procedures for the betterment of another person's health. I have always been one to go out of my way to help others, as well as being organized, diligent and observant. Therefore, I was drawn to pursue this as a career as I felt my personality and natural abilities were a good fit to the job with the ability to expand to those a greater level to make a great surgical technologist.

I am on track to graduate in December 2019. I am currently in clinical rotations and my experience so far has been excellent and insightful. I have learned so much since the start of this program and I am continuing to build and broaden my knowledge to make myself the best surgical technologist I can possibly be. I am also exploring surgical specialties to determine which specialty I might like to have focus on, but to also remain flexible to work in any specialty. After graduation, I cannot wait to get settled into a true career of surgical technology!

I am honored and blessed in receiving this award. It is a huge accomplishment and I'm beyond proud. I have received many achievements in life but being a ST student is by far the best one. Knowing that one day I will be a part of a team who saves lives is both fulfilling and astonishing. I want to come home after a shift knowing that I made someone's day, whether it be extending one's life or giving a family member extra time with their mother, father, sister, brother or grandparent.

Being a surgical technologist to me isn't just protecting the sterile field, it's creating the foundation for a successful surgery. It's the acknowledgment from one team member to another, knowing we did our very best. It's the smile on a patient's face, free of pain and suffering. I will continue to do my best in my studies and be a better version of myself every day. Not only will I prove to myself that I will be one of the top CSTs, I will continue to grow and thrive in the profession.

Thank you to the Foundation for Surgical Technology for this scholarship. I am humbled and deeply grateful.

I would like to thank the Foundation for Surgical Technology. It's an honor to be selected for a scholarship. I have truly felt welcomed into the profession of surgical technology and look forward to becoming a Certified Surgical Technologist.

I feel that being awarded a scholarship is a recognition of all the efforts and sacrifices I have made. In August 2017, the flooding of Southeast Texas by Hurricane Harvey put over 5 feet of water in my family's home. We did not fully recover or finish rebuilding until April 2019. I am grateful for this scholarship as it lessens the financial burden of my education so I can earn my degree without adding to an already stressful situation.

I chose surgical technology because working in the medical field has always been an interest and I also enjoy helping a variety of people. Since applying for this scholarship, I have accepted a surgical aid job at a nearby trauma center. I also anticipate being hired as a Certified Surgical Technologist after graduation in August. I will never forget my level of anxiety as I waiting for my acceptance letter into the surgical technology program. During this past year in the program, and with the help of my wonderful instructors, I have been able to gain more skills and knowledge than I ever thought possible. I could not have become the scrub I am today without them, or my friends and family.

I am proud to be a surgical technologist and I am beyond honored to be awarded a scholarship.

At age 12, my aunt was diagnosed with kidney failure. The diagnosis was grim. She needed a transplant and would have to be put on the long waiting list. For several months, she and my grandmother made daily trips to Oklahoma City for dialysis. Fortunately, my grandfather's kidney was a perfect match. Because she was given a second chance at life, through surgery and a skilled, caring operating team, I was given the opportunity to know and love her. I want to be a part of that second chance. I want to make a difference in the lives of individuals, not just once, but on a day to day basis.

In May 2019, I graduated as a Certified Surgical Technologist and, as of June 17, I will be working full time at Mercy Hospital in Ada, Oklahoma. Being a surgical technologist is my passion. I am a hardworking, detail oriented, driven individual. I love to excel and I do not give up. As Winston Churchill once said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." With each surgery, I realize the importance of the role that I have chosen. The career I chose because I thought that I would like it, has become one that I have absolutely fallen head over heels in love with. I am determined to become the best surgical technologist that the field has ever known.

Thank you to the Foundation for Surgical Technology for choosing me as a recipient of their 2019 scholarship. To be chosen as one of the scholarship recipients is a great, great honor. I am both humbled and grateful. I appreciate each of the foundation members for taking time out of your busy schedules to look over and consider my application for this scholarship. John F. Kennedy said it best, "We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." On that note, I would like to take this time to thank each of you for your part in my journey toward becoming a full-time surgical technologist.

The journey has not been an easy one, but I can be proud of the accomplishments that I have achieved: high school valedictorian, Oklahoma Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, National Technical Honor Society, Outstanding Program Completer at Wes Watkins, Outstanding Theory Student of the Year, and Surgical Technologist Character Award. Although a lot of time and effort went into obtaining these achievements, being chosen for this scholarship makes all the hard work worth it.

I am about to start my second-year in the surgical technology program, with an anticipated graduation date of August 2020. I attended Mahomet-Seymour High School and the University of Illinois, where I earned a BS in animal science in 2016. I envisioned myself working in an operating room, in the thick of it, doing what I could to take someone's pain away or make their lives better. At first, I thought the way to accomplish this was to become a DVM, but I soon realized that that was no longer my calling.

When I decided to make a career change, I started to research jobs in the medical field because I have always respected them for what they did. I always thought that they were strong, intelligent individuals who devoted their lives to taking care of others, and putting other people's needs before their own.

In the past, when I've been asked about my 5-year or 10-year plans, it was always difficult for me to come up with an answer. I was always at a loss for words because at the time, I was in a field that had very limited opportunities for individuals to be successful if they didn't pursue the path of veterinary medicine. Now when I am asked about my future plans, I am always faced with too many answers because I have chosen to work in a field that provides endless opportunities for surgical technologists. Once I graduate, my long-term goals include working as a traveling surgical tech, becoming a Certified Surgical First Assistant, and fostering growth in the profession by encouraging others to pursue surgical technology as an exciting and rewarding career.

First, I would like to thank the Texas State Assembly for awarding me the Bob Caruthers scholarship. I will graduate in August 2019, and I am so honored and grateful to receive this help for that last semester of school before graduation. I have come to realize a love for surgical technology because I want to do something that will make a difference and help people. My grandmother wanted me to go into nursing and follow her footsteps, but nursing did not call me like the operating room did. Though scary at first, clinicals quickly became my favorite part of the week, and I love seeing all the long lectures come together and put into action. It has also been very satisfying to watch my anticipation skills improve over time and to realize I know what I am doing, even when I have not felt like it.

After graduation I am most excited to be able to start work that I enjoy, and for the first time, want to go to work every day. My plans for now are to finish the program and enjoy a little bit of life without homework, deadlines and tests. During that time I will be researching and making a decision on which path I plan to take to further my career, either by becoming a surgical first assistant or a physician's assistant. Both of those options will require me to go back to school in the future, so any and all assistance is always very appreciated. Thank you, again.

I was inspired to become a surgical technologist after my own experiences as a patient on the operating table. Several years ago, I was hit head-on by another motorist. The accident left me with 12 broken bones requiring six surgeries over the course of four years. Fortunately, I left the hospital after each surgery without a surgical site infection. I felt so grateful and appreciative to the surgeon and the operating room staff, that I wanted to give the same gift to other individuals who are undergoing surgery. As a result, I went back to school to become a Certified Surgical Technologist. Surgery is done for a number of reasons: trauma, necessity, self esteem or corrective purposes. Regardless of the reason, everyone deserves to have the same infection-free experience.

I have had the wonderful opportunity of doing my clinical at Beth Israel Lahey Hospital in Plymouth, which provides excellent care with compassion, dignity and respect. My experience at the community hospital has taught me the importance of maintaining an unwavering surgical conscience and exhibiting exemplary teamwork skills. As I continue my surgical technologist journey, I look forward to applying these and the many other crucial skills that I have acquired through this amazing experience.

As a professor of mine has imparted to me, "character is what I do when nobody else is watching." These words have had a profound impact on me and will be a driving force in how I conduct myself both personally and professionally.

My plans for the future are to continue earning the highest honors academically and pass my National Board. As a Certified Surgical Technologist, I want to continue to refine my skills, working together as a cohesive unit in a supportive setting. I am prepared to take my knowledge and skills to contribute to the greater good in the operating room. Remembering always "Aeger Primo," the patient first.

I have always had an interest in science and medicine, but I was unaware of how many career options were available in the medical arena. In 2015, I started to research a new route for my career within the field of medicine and I came across the surgical technology program and knew that this would be the right option for me. Working as a surgical technologist requires teamwork, the capacity to multitask and the ability to help others, which are all qualities that I wanted to find in a career. Triton College has great facilities to simulate real-life scenarios. I realized that because of the variety of skills that I would be performing on a daily basis that this was a path I was interested in pursuing.

I am currently a student starting my third semester. I am looking forward to clinicals next semester for the hands-on training and will be graduating in May 2020. In lab simulations we are encouraged to treat every lab like a real-life case. We hold ourselves accountable to keep the surgical environment sterile, move with purpose and scrub thoroughly... No SSIs on my watch!

My plans for now are to finish my school year and gain a couple years of experience. This experience will be essential to help me be able to perform my tasks to where they become second nature. I will then apply to a program that will allow me to become a first assistant. Becoming a first assist will allow me to be a bigger part of the operation. I will be able to perform more tasks and have a bigger responsibility.

Working alongside the surgeons gives you a sense of importance, knowing that you also are a big part of the team. I don't carry the same risks and liabilities as surgeons and doctors do, however, I do get to participate in interesting and exciting surgeries. I get the upside, not the downside. Not just anyone should become a surgical technologist. It does involve a lot of standing, and some people are more squeamish about blood than they realize. But I love the work, and I love that it keeps me on my feet.

I plan to travel and acquire more experience as a Certified Surgical First Assistant and work on perfecting my specialty as much as possibly can. I feel like this career choice has really shown me just how rewarding it is to be able to help someone get their life back on track through surgical procedures. Each day is a new and different challenge and is not your normal repetitious job. I am glad that I chose to be a CST not only for my job, but for a career!

I'd like to thank you for the contribution in helping me pursue my education in surgical technology. Choosing surgical technology as a career path serves many purposes. It gave me the opportunity to learn very broad aspects of the medical field, learning about various illnesses and measures taken for intervention, having hands-on direct experience in the contribution to the wellness of patients. It has also provided exposure to other avenues and opportunities for future endeavors.

After graduation and completion, I plan to continue on a receive my bachelor's degree that I may have various opportunities available to me in the future.

Throughout the training and clinicals I have enjoyed a great many things from working with some of the most distinguished nurses, doctors, to anesthesia, etc. They have taught me not be afraid to ask questions, and the importance of strong communication skills. As a team there's been great laughs, and even more satisfying when a case that's difficult is completed successfully.

With this scholarship award I will continue on in educational pursuits and continue to work on improving my skills as a surgical technologist.

I was on welfare early in life. When I needed medical treatment, I was fortunate enough to receive medical services at County USC. The doctors, nurses and other medical staff treated me with great compassion and care, and I thought to myself, "One day I want to be a part of a team that restores health so that each person can move forward in their lives."

At the age of 52 and a rewarding career as a dental assistant, I decided to return to school to study surgical technology. I discovered the surgical technology program to be a welcome challenge, and I wanted to meet that challenge with all my effort, enthusiasm and commitment. I strive to do the very best I can in whatever task is at hand. My goal after I graduate from the surgical technology program and become a Certified Surgical Technologist. I will secure employment at a hospital and be able to give back to an underserved community that helped me in my time of need.

After 14 years in retail I decided to make a career. I chose surgical technology because I have always had a love for science, specifically anatomy. I thought that this would be a career that would constantly challenge me and keep me on my toes. I graduated May 17, 2019 and have accepted a position. I am looking forward to becoming part of a strong OR team. I really enjoy the challenge of learning new techniques, new technology and always putting our patient first.

The program at Anoka Technical College was much like a family - we studied together, cheered each other on and worked as a team to perfect our skills. I would like to say a special thank you to my family there and my instructors for all that they pushed me to do. Only a few weeks at my new hospital and I feel the same family mentality, my team is always encouraging me and pushing me to try new things. I am also excited to become part of an even bigger family that is AST.

Thank you so much for this scholarship.