A medical drama that first started airing before she was even born inspired Kamilah Torres Cruz’s career aspirations. Thanks to Laurel Ridge’s dual-enrollment program, she is closer to achieving her goal of becoming a surgical technologist.
Cruz had long wanted to work in the operating room. She first learned about the role played by surgical technologists while watching the high-stakes medicine practiced on “Grey’s Anatomy,” which has been on TV since 2005.
“I didn’t want to become a doctor because it’s too much school, so I thought I could be in the operating room and do it in two years,” Cruz said of choosing surgical technology as a career pathway. “I hope I will get into the program. It’s exciting.”
Surgical technologists play a vital role in the OR. They prepare the sterile surgical environment, prep patients for surgery and hold tools used during operations. In winter 2025, Laurel Ridge’s Surgical Technology program received two state-of-the-art surgical simulators, called LAPSIM®. These will allow students to take part in mock surgeries, such as appendectomies, hysterectomies and gallbladder removal.
The Millbrook High School senior took her first dual-enrolled class, history, her sophomore year.
Since then, Cruz has taken dual-enrollment classes at Millbrook and online at Laurel Ridge. Currently, she is taking dual-enrollment anatomy and physiology and government, as well as AP English. Additionally, she will earn her nurse aide certification through Frederick County Public Schools. Cruz said that with her first swim season with Millbrook coming to an end, her schedule isn’t too difficult to manage.
She hopes to earn an associate degree in Surgical Technology and will be applying to Laurel Ridge’s program after taking the required TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). She has already taken all of the program’s prerequisite courses.
“I took Intro to Surgical Technology last summer,” said Cruz. “I liked it. I liked the instruments and all the history behind it, how the field started.”
She said she may decide to later study to become a certified first assistant.
“There’s a lot of things you can do in the operating room,” Cruz said.
While she has enjoyed all of her dual-enrollment courses, Cruz said she particularly enjoyed English and English Composition. She recommends other students get a jump start on their higher education like she has.
“It definitely helps you get your credits so you don’t have to take the classes in college, so you can knock them out before going,” she said.
Learn more about the Surgical Technology program at laurelridge.edu/surgtech.
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.