Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, AL, recently announced the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Austin as the new program director for its Surgical Technology program.
Under her leadership, the program is set for a major “restart,” promising to strengthen the skills of future surgical technologists.
“I’m honored to be a part of bringing this valuable career field to the communities in our region.”
Austin, a native of Crossville, has worked in surgical technology for over two decades. She decided to become a surgical technologist after undergoing surgery herself.
“When I went into the operating room, I saw a high school classmate of mine who was a surgical tech,” Austin said. “At first, I was very scared and upset. I had never had surgery before. He really calmed me down. He held my hand and reassured me that they would take great care of me. He comforted me when I needed comforting the most. I woke up from surgery and immediately said, ‘I know what I want to do now.’”
Austin enrolled in the Surgical Technology Program at the Tennessee Tech and earned a diploma in 2004. Five years later, she continued her education.
In 2016, Austin earned a bachelor’s degree in Surgical Technology and a Master of Arts in Leadership in Higher Education from Siena Heights University in Michigan.
She most recently earned a Doctorate of Education in August from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.