Parkland Surgical Technology Students Win National Scholarships

Parkland Health Professions students awarded ARC/STSA scholarships

Two Parkland College Surgical Technology students recently won national scholarships in the field.

The Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) has awarded Melissa Jensen of Champaign and Diana Stronovych of Urbana with its 2020 Scholarship, according to a announcement this month. ARC/STSA is the accrediting services agency for surgical technology degree programs, a committee of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The national $500 scholarship is awarded to applicants based on their essays and their standing in their CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology or surgical assisting program. The scholarship program is intended to support students in their continuing education in surgical technology. 

Having worked in healthcare for several years prior, Jensen said it has always been her dream to work side by side with medical professionals in the operating room.

"My future goals and aspirations are to advance to a surgical first assistant, become a surgical technology instructor, and acquire a leadership role such as serving a term on the board of directors for the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)," she said. "The ARC/STSA Scholarship gives me the opportunity to continue to reach my goals."

Stronovych said she realized she wanted to become a surgical technologist (and later a surgical first assistant) after learning how it would allow her "to make a real change in people's lives."

"It is an honor to receive the scholarship award, and I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity, since it is not only an investment in my future development as a surgical technologist, but most importantly, a chance to help other people with their health needs," she said.

For more information on Parkland College's Surgical Technology program, visit the program webpage.