Surgical First Assistant
Surgical First Assistant is a one-year Capstone Experience offered in collaboration with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences (MCSHS).
A Surgical First Assistant, according to the Mayo Clinic website, is "a second pair of hands for surgeons during surgery. They work in the operating room, assisting the surgeon with equipment, retracting incisions, stopping bleeding, closing the incision, among other hands-on tasks during surgery." This hands-on lab and classroom experience allows students to start their career sooner, and work at top medical centers in the nation on many surgical cases.
This collaboration with MCSHS allows students to begin the certificate program prior to graduation and to count the credits towards their Capstone and undergraduate degree. This typically saves students at least one semester (since the program has a January start date).
Upon successful completion, students receive a certificate from MCSHS. Application to the program is competitive and requires completion of a variety of prerequisite courses, minimum GPA standards and an interview.
Visit the Surgical First Assistant program website to learn more details about the program, application process, costs and career opportunities. Contact the program director with questions.
Sarah Penkava
E-mail: penkava.sarah@mayo.edu
