Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD) is pleased to announce the addition of Karie Johnson, CST, CSFA, and Bailey Sheffield, CST to the Surgical Technology program faculty. These new instructors bring both knowledge and experience in the field of surgical technology and share the College’s commitment to providing outstanding health sciences education that prepares students for successful careers in healthcare.
Karie Johnson has twenty-three years of experience as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and three years of experience as a Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA). She holds an Associate in Applied Science from Lincoln Land Community College. She is proficient in various specialties, specializing primarily as a general/robotic scrub-assistant. Karie also served as the clinical educator for Flowers Hospital’s Surgical Technology program from 2017-2020. “After years of being in the field working as a CST/CSFA, training and teaching others how to properly and proficiently do the job as a surgical technologist, I am excited to be able to continue to share my knowledge and expertise with the Surgical Technology students here at Wallace,” said Johnson.
Bailey Sheffield has six years of experience as a Certified Surgical Technologist, primarily in a hospital setting as an orthopedic scrub. She holds an Associate in Arts from WCCD. After her experience in the operating room, Sheffield realized that teaching others how to do the job was important to her. “It has been an honor and a blessing to be in this role,” said Sheffield, “and I cannot wait to see how this program grows to be able to help our community by providing our hospitals with properly trained and credentialed staff whose ultimate goal is to provide the best patient care.”
“I am excited to welcome our new program director, Ms. Sheffield, and clinical director, Ms. Johnson as members of the Wallace Family,” said Vincent Feggins, WCCD Allied Health Division Director. “These two ladies have hit the ground running and have not looked back. They are adding additional clinical internship sites to allow our Surgical Technologists to enrich their experience in Surgical areas throughout the Wiregrass. With their vast experience and expertise, they are a true asset to our Surgical Technology program.”
The Surgical Technology Program at Wallace Community College, Dothan, Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Surgical Technologists are significant participants on the health care team and play a major role in the operating room arena. The Surgical Technology program at WCCD aims to provide classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction to enable individuals to perform as competent, entry-level Surgical Technologists following graduation with a comprehensive understanding of the latest advancements in surgical techniques, equipment, and patient care.
The role of a surgical technologist varies among hospitals and surgery centers, but typically entails preparation of the operating room with sterile instruments, equipment and supplies; maintaining sterility; and assisting the surgeon and other team members during procedures in the operating room suite.
For more information about the Surgical Technology program or to inquire about enrollment, please contact Bailey Sheffield at bsheffield@wallace.edu or 334- 556-6906.