As I browsed the web earlier this morning, I stumbled upon a new Surgical Assistant program that is currently in the works. The program will be part of Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, FL. Currently, this campus offers a CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technology program. As of now I have not contacted the school for more information, but I was wondering if any of you knew about this up and coming program. Will they be seeking accreditation through CAAHEP? If so, this would be the only accredited SFA program in the region, and a major benefit for those in Florida who are seeking further education and/or increased visibility for our profession in that state. I know that Florida has been fighting a long battle off and on for legislation over the years, and hopefully this will be an asset to the Florida Association. I am pleased to see new programs springing up. We just need to encourage these programs to seek the proper accreditation so that they can truly prove beneficial.
http://surgtech.gulfcoast.edu/programs/default.asp
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Hi Doug!
I attended the Florida State Assembly meeting in Orlando in September and met many nice people from Gulf coast Community College. They are very involved in the FSA and the legislative process for both Techs and CFA’s. I’m very confident that the program will be accredited. It was so frustrating to have so few SA programs and NONE in Florida that this is a huge step in promoting the profession!
On another note, I had dinner the other night with a friend of mine (he was my clinical instructor in Tech school!) who is now a CSA. He was so excited that we’re both doing what we love and he’s so anxious to share experince and information. He told me about this new website called Surgical Assistant Resource and how I need to check it out!! I just laughed…I don’t know if he’s had a chance to read the blogs and see my name floating around on a few!!!This site is just what we all needed!!
Kathy
Kathy,
Thanks for the informtation about the program. This certainly will prove to be a push in the right direction for the FSA. I would love to see some updates on the FSA website about what’s going on in that state though. As a Florida native, I feel a little attachment and like to check up on what’s new there. My parents still live in Lake City. That is hilarious about your friend. This website was launched as a platform to get the word out about the profession, and I am glad to see that unfolding. If you know anybody who would like to post on the blog let them know that all they have to do is be granted author privileges by contacting me via the webmaster email. Most all users already have this ability. Thanks again for all of the work you are doing to help us out. Enjoy the rest of your holiday season and have a happy new year!