Surgical Technology students
at Southeast Community College dissected pig hearts as they prepare to enter
the surgical field. The faux-surgeries took place at the new Health Sciences
Building at SCC’s Lincoln Campus.
Casey Glassburner, program
director, said this hands-on activity aligns with the course material students are
currently studying as it relates to cardiothoracic procedures. Students in
attendance were from Lincoln and online cohorts from across the state including
Norfolk, North Platte, Kearney and Omaha.
“Going through all of the
anatomy of the heart reinforces their knowledge and gives them a firsthand view,”
Glassburner said. “This is National
Surgical Technologists Week, so it worked out great. For many of my students,
this is the first time they’ve dissected anything beyond a frog in the eighth
grade.”
“The
pig is very similar to humans in terms of anatomy, genetics and physiology,”
said student, Heleena Pettee. “Knowing
the anatomy helps you know the procedures in the operating room. You become
knowledgeable about what instruments to hand the surgeon.”
SCC partnered with Baxter
Advanced Surgery to allow students this opportunity, using surgical products
they will actually use after they graduate such as FloSeal, Tisseel and
Seprafilm. Glassburner said it will give them more confidence during their
clinical experience leading up to graduation in December.
“All students involved in the
event will graduate in December 2022 and are excited to use their skills as
Certified Surgical Technologists to improve surgical patient care,” she added.
For more information on the Surgical
Technology program, click on this link: https://www.southeast.edu/surgicaltech/