Cutting-edge techniques & facilities

Our SA students become certified in Robotic Assistance for the da Vinci Surgical System before graduation. Surgical assistants with this training are in high demand.

Working with equipment in high-tech facilities helps our students get ahead. The Human Anatomy Lab, Immersive and Simulation Lab and Center for Applied Surgical Technique include:

• A plastination lab
• An ultrasound lab
• Gross and fresh cadaver labs
• Mock operating rooms
• Computerized trainers
• A surgical skills lab

Training future leaders

Our surgical assisting students participate in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s leadership certificate program. Students graduate with skills that can serve them in medical education, surgical services management and professional leadership settings.

First-year students organize and conduct Suture Fest twice a year and help medical students prepare for surgical training exposure.

Junior resident equivalency

Surgical assisting students learn the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery, the same coursework required of surgical residents. The school requires students to complete 240 cases — 100 more than the number required by the accreditation body — but many students complete more than three times the required number of cases.

Graduates from our program have the equivalent surgical competency and clinical knowledge expected of a junior surgical resident.