Surgical Technology at ACTC receives 100% pass rate

January 15, 2026

ASHLAND, Ky. – Ashland Community & Technical College (ACTC) is proud to announce the Surgical Technology program received a 100% pass rate, meaning that all nine graduates of the 2025 Surgical Technology cohort passed their national Surgical Technology certification exam.

This milestone highlights both the academic excellence of ACTC students and the strength of the college’s CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program, which prepares graduates to meet the rigorous demands of modern operating rooms.

“Earning a 100 percent certification pass rate for our 2025 graduating cohort makes me incredibly proud of these students and the work they put in every single day,” said Heather Cantrell, Surgical Technology program coordinator. “This achievement reflects their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to meeting the gold standard for credentialing in Surgical Technology.”

ACTC’s Surgical Technology curriculum is intentionally designed to emphasize technical competence, critical thinking, and patient safety. Students complete extensive hands-on training to ensure readiness for real-world clinical environments.

“As a CAAHEP-accredited program, our expectations are high by design, and our curriculum is built to prepare students for the real demands of the operating room,” Cantrell said. “This milestone confirms that we are not only graduating well-educated Surgical Technologists, but professionals who carry their training into patient care.”

Graduates of the program enter the workforce equipped to support surgical teams while maintaining the highest standards of sterile technique and ethical responsibility.

“They hold themselves to the same high standard they were taught, with patient safety always at the center of their practice,” Cantrell added.

Once students complete their general education classes, they can apply to be accepted into the Surgical Technology program. New cohorts begin each January.  

For more information about the Surgical Technology program, visit https://ashland.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/surgical-technology.aspx.

 

Written by: Malaya McKinney