Two local community colleges are working together to expand a surgical technology program for students in the Charlottesville and Lynchburg areas.
Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville has graduated 16 students through its surgical technology program, which offers grads an associate of applied science degree in surgical technology.
In the expanded program announced this week, PVCC will deliver academic instruction, while laboratory and clinical components will be offered at Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg.
“Our surgical technology program has a strong record of preparing graduates who stay in our region and serve the healthcare needs of our communities. Expanding this pathway through our partnership with Central Virginia Community College will allow us to prepare more students for these high-demand careers while strengthening the surgical workforce across Central Virginia,” PVCC Dean of Health and Life Sciences Nicole Winkler said.
The initial cohort of CVCC students is expected to be welcomed in fall 2027. To help students prepare for success, prerequisite coursework will be available prior to the start of the first cohort.
Students interested in the program are encouraged to begin completing prerequisites in advance to prepare for admission to the expansion program.
“This partnership creates a meaningful new pathway for students in the Lynchburg region who are interested in surgical technology but may not have had convenient access to the program before,” said Dr. Jason Ferguson, the Chief Workforce Officer and Associate Vice President of Professional and Career Studies at PVCC.
“By bringing laboratory and clinical experiences closer to home while partnering with PVCC to stream lectures to students here so they don’t have to commute, we can reduce barriers for students and connect more people with a career that is vital to our region’s healthcare system,” Ferguson said.
Learn more about the program at pvcc.edu/programs/surgical-technology.
Share
Chris Graham
