Less than a year ago, the Angelina College Health Careers Division was proud to announce the beginning of a new Surgical Technology program offered on campus. The first group of students began the program in January, preparing for what promised to be both a challenging and rewarding pursuit. In December, the program will present its first graduating class, and instructor Tonya LaForge couldn't be any prouder.

"These students' perseverance has carried them all the way through this," LaForge said. "They're each very knowledgeable and very hands-on, they're very good with clinicals, and all their preceptors brag about their ability levels. They're going to make very good scrub techs in any setting." Scheduled to complete the program's requirements for graduation are students Drefus Thompson, Carlos Solorzano, Lorena Garcia, Donta Davis, Cheryl Green and Kelli Wilburn.

Surgical technologists assist in delivering patient care before, during and following surgery. The individual works under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room or environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.

Wilburn, president of the first class, said the program exceeded her expectations.

"I got way more out of this than I expected," Wilburn said. "There were times when this course was very, very difficult, but it was certainly doable. It wasn't that bad."

Wilburn has already established her next career step based on her completion of the program, as have most of her classmates. LaForge said having this first group make it through has raised the bar for the next class of students hoping to achieve the same goals.

"Graduating the best of the first crop really puts a standard out there for others to meet," LaForge said. "Anyone coming into this program will know we only want to graduate the best of the best, and they're going to have to work hard to meet those standards."