Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s Program for Surgical Technology featured in the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Newsletter

The ARC/STSA is Celebrating a Golden Jubilee: 50 Years of Accreditation and Program Excellence.  Featured in the April newsletter of this organization is the Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Surgical Technology Program at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center is one of the oldest programs in the country and has been continuously accredited since June 1976.

Today the ARC/STSA (Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) is a member of the Committees on Accreditation (CoA) within the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). These organizations have a broad representation from the accreditation community of interests and the public. They are charged to be independent in accreditation decision.

Conemaugh’s Program for Surgical Technology began in 1966 and has graduated 58 classes, with the 59th to graduate in August 2022.

“We are very proud of our graduate’s academic and clinical abilities. Most classes have passed the NBSTSA’s certification examination on the first attempt, including thirteen of the last fourteen classes in a row, and the program has provided staff for the operating room at CMMC, and other hospitals throughout PA and the country, says Patricia Pavlikowski, CST, RN, MA, CNOR, Director, Program for Surgical Technology.”

“Accreditation assures us that graduates have the education and skills to safely care for surgical patients. The program has been able to keep up with the changes in technology such as robotics, by always employing a clinically current CST as an instructor and by having all faculty members participate in OR cases as much as possible, said John Hoffman, CST, AS, Instructor.”

The program has evolved into a two-year program of study, with graduates receiving both a certificate in surgical technology from Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center as well as an associate degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.