May 21, 2024
Surgical technology students at Laurel Ridge will soon have the benefit of training on LAPSIM® surgical simulators thanks to the help of U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. The senators secured the $305,000 needed to buy simulators for both the Fauquier and Middletown campuses as part of a congressionally-directed Labor-Health and Human Services-Education spending package.
Surgical technologists are a crucial part of the operating room team. Their duties include preparing the surgical environment, readying patients for surgery, holding retractors and cutting sutures.
2023 and 2024 surgical technology graduates had the opportunity to participate in mock surgeries, including appendectomies, hysterectomies and cholecystectomies (gallbladder removal), using simulators that were brought to the Fauquier Campus by a representative from Surgical Science, which supplies the LAPSIM®, for a demonstration in March 2023.
That month, Laurel Ridge applied for congressional funding to obtain the simulators. In addition to allowing students to virtually experience the surgical environment and gain necessary skills, the LAPSIM® provides instant feedback to them. The college recently learned the funding was approved.
“We’re glad to have helped secure this funding for Laurel Ridge Community College to train future surgical technologists and assistants,“ said the senators. “This funding is an investment in Laurel Ridge and its students, and also the greater health and wellbeing of our communities at a time when we are grappling with health care provider shortages.”
Tina Putman, director of the Surgical Technology program at Laurel Ridge, said she is “thrilled” the college will be getting the state-of-the-art simulators.
“These new simulators will provide our students with hands-on experience that was previously unavailable, significantly enhancing their training and preparation for real-world surgical environments,” Professor Putman said.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.