SCC Health Sciences Division announces March Student of the Month

Published on Mar 1, 2024

A student enrolled in his final year of studies in the Somerset Community College (SCC) Surgical Technology Program has been named the recipient of the SCC Health Sciences Division’s Student of the Month for March. Dawson Parrett of Annville received the award and is now a candidate for the Division’s Student of the Year Award, to be announced in May 2024.

SCC’s Surgical Technology Program prepares graduates to work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. The graduate ensures that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions correctly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Graduates are in high demand regionally, statewide, and nationally.

Parrett, who is active within his church, is highly respected by his peers. He was recommended for the award by Program Director Tammy Day.

“Dawson has more than exceeded my expectations in this program,” stated Day. “Not only does he excel in the classroom, but more importantly, he excels in the clinic where he assists with surgery as a student. He has all the characteristics of individuals who every person deserves to have in the operating room during surgery. Dawson’s qualities include integrity, honesty, a surgical conscience, and an excellent understanding of aseptic techniques. I am very proud to be one of his instructors.”

Parrett reports that his experiences at SCC have been positive.

“Something I have enjoyed about Somerset Community College is how easy it was for me to get back into school,” states Parrett. “In the summer of 2022, I decided to leave the insurance industry to try and pursue a healthcare career. Very quickly, I was enrolled in the courses needed to apply to the surgical technology program and knew the steps I needed to take to get into the program.”

He goes on to discuss his experiences within the surgical technology program.

“The surgical technology program itself has been a great experience as well. The foundation of knowing your instruments and aseptic technique is laid in the lab and classroom and then carried out in the field! In this field, you will see many amazing things and meet a lot of intelligent surgeons and other technologists who love to teach.”

He plans to work as a surgical technologist at Advent Health in Manchester after graduation.

For more information about SCC’s Surgical Technology Program, please contact the program director or visit the Surgical Technology website.