April 1, 2025
Surgical Technology students at Laurel Ridge now have a powerful new tool in their training regimen. Training on the LAPSIM® surgical simulators began at both the Middletown and Fauquier campuses this week. The college was able to obtain the simulators, which are supplied by Surgical Science, with the help of U.S. senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, as part of a congressionally-directed Labor-Health and Human Services-Education spending package.
On Tuesday, SurgTech students at the Middletown Campus watched as a representative from Surgical Science demonstrated how to operate a camera and two arms that could manipulate instruments with their actions appearing on a screen attached to the simulator. The arms could select various instruments that would be used in laparoscopic surgery settings.
“I’m very excited about it,” Surgical Technology Program Director Tina Putman said of the simulators. “It’s very state of the art. It will give them so much more experience before they start clinicals in the operating room in the fall. You can book teach the material and somewhat simulate situations, but to actually feel what it’s like to follow with the camera is pretty amazing.”
Surgical technologists are responsible for preparing the surgical environment, readying patients for surgery and assisting surgeons by holding retractors, and cameras, said Putman. They don’t manipulate tissue, so don’t make cuts or place sutures during surgeries, she said.
Dr. Scott Vanderkooi, dean of health professions at Laurel Ridge, said he believes in programs following a “crawl, walk, run” path.
“We start with didactic lecture, and then we have labs,” he said. “These simulators add a new level of realism. Our goal for all of our applied science students is career readiness. These are just going to elevate the value of our graduates in our community and among local employers.”
Katie Glascock is one of 27 students in Laurel Ridge’s Surgical Technology program. She is in the first year of the course, and was the first student to begin training on the LAPSIM®.
“It’s a very nice piece of equipment and it’s going to help us a lot,” said Glascock, whose ultimate goal is to become a physician assistant. “I’ve always had an interest in working in the operating room, but I also need direct patient care hours for the PA program, so I decided to give the Surgical Technology program a shot, and I’m really enjoying it.”
The median salary for surgical technologists in this region is $63,672. The Surgical Technology program qualifies for G3 funding, which means Virginia residents may not owe any tuition costs. Learn more about the Surgical Technology program at laurelridge.edu/surgtech.
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.