Lake Area Tech Plans Expansion for Surgical Technology Program
Watertown, SD – In a significant move aimed at bridging the workforce gap in South Dakota, Lake Area Technical College (LATC) is set to renovate and expand its Surgical Technology program. The initiative, highlighted during this week’s School Board meeting by LATC President Tiffany Sanderson, underscores the college’s commitment to elevating healthcare education and addressing the state's growing demand for skilled surgical technologists.
Launched last fall, the Surgical Technology program at LATC welcomed its inaugural cohort of 12 students, reflecting the institution's proactive approach in cultivating a new generation of healthcare professionals. This educational thrust is not only geared towards enriching student competencies but also in fulfilling the acute needs of the medical sector across the region.
President Sanderson emphasized the strategic importance of the renovation project, pointing out its potential to significantly increase the program's intake capacity and, by extension, contribute more substantially to the state's healthcare workforce solutions. "Our goal is to ensure that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of the healthcare industry by providing top-tier education and practical experience to our students," Sanderson stated, underscoring the college's vision for the future.
Echoing Sanderson's sentiments, Board Member Jean Mouton highlighted the program’s broader impact, saying, "This program serves an entire region of this state, not just Watertown." Such acknowledgment from the board cements the program's role in the statewide initiative to tackle workforce shortages head-on.
The collaboration with CO-OP Architecture for the renovation signals a seamless transition towards a state-of-the-art facility designed to elevate the learning experience. The unanimous approval of this partnership by the board marks a pivotal step in transforming LATC’s campus into a hub for surgical technology excellence.
As Lake Area Technical College advances with its plans, the expanded Surgical Technology program stands as a beacon of innovation and opportunity, promising to fortify South Dakota's healthcare system with well-trained, competent professionals. This ambitious project not only reaffirms LATC's stature as a leader in technical education but also anchors its role in uplifting the state's healthcare landscape.
For more information about the Surgical Technology program and other offerings at LATC, visit their official website.
Analyst comment
Positive news. The expansion of Lake Area Technical College’s Surgical Technology program demonstrates the college’s commitment to addressing the healthcare workforce gap in South Dakota. By increasing program capacity, LATC will contribute more substantially to the state’s healthcare workforce. This project will elevate LATC’s role in technical education and strengthen South Dakota’s healthcare system. The market is likely to see increased demand for skilled surgical technologists in the region.
