Success story: Jessica Hudson

Jessica Hudson is a Surgical Technologist at Highlands Regional Medical Center and she loves her job. This job is never boring; it s exciting and very satisfying and at the end of the day, you know you just helped someone get better or even saved a life. There is nothing more rewarding in a professional career than that, she said.

Jessica is in this fulfilling job because she holds an Associate in Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology from Hazard Community and Technical College. I chose HCTC because it was close to home for me. I wanted to be able to get a good education but still be close to my family, noted the May 2011 graduate.

HCTC prepared me in my general education classes which allowed me to apply to a professional healthcare program. The Surgical Technology Program has given me the most amazing opportunity in having a career that I can enjoy and be proud of doing, Jessica said. My classes in Human Anatomy and Physiology helped me the most. It prepared me for all the anatomy I had to cover for each surgical specialty and procedures.

HCTC allows you to get a quality education and still stay close to home. This school is wonderful. The faculty and staff are willing and eager to help students succeed.

HCTC s Surgical Technology Program Coordinator Joanna Martin is pleased with her student s success. Jessica was a wonderful student in class as well as at clinical locations. She always strived to work hard and become the best surgical technologist she could be. Her hard work and dedication paid off in the end by not only receiving the clinical award, but also doing an interview with Highlands Regional Medical Center several months before graduation. The staff at Highlands Regional noticed Jessica as a student and when a position came available, they waited for her to graduate and hired her. I am very proud to have had Jessica as one of the graduates of this program, Ms. Martin said.

Jessica sets a great example for students in the program that now get to work with her. She works great with the students in teaching them everything thing she knows. When you see students like Jessica complete a program that she worked so hard in, it is a great reward as the Program Coordinator and Instructor of that program to see the accomplishments she is making in this career. I know Jessica will do great in the years to come as a Surgical Technologist, noted Ms. Martin.

Jessica is a 2008 Knott County Central graduate and lives in Prestonsburg. Her parents are Pamela and Duke Hudson. Her hobbies include crocheting, walking, exercising, and reading.

Those interested in the Surgical Technology program should attend a pre-admission conference set for Wednesday, March 7, at 3:30 p.m. in the Bailey Stumbo Building, Room 208. The agenda for these conferences includes discussion of the Surgical Technology Program admission process, Surgical Technology Program requirements, and an overview of the profession.

For additional information, please contact Joanna Martin, Coordinator at (606) 487-3166 or 1-800-246-7521, extension 73166 or the Program Assistant, Terri Fields at (606) 487-3394.