The Office of Workforce Development is offering exciting opportunities for people in the workforce interested in advancing into new positions within hospitals that are experiencing a shortage of capable, experienced people. One such program is the Associate of Science in Surgical Technology. The program prepares future surgical technologists for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Technology Certificate exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, students are board-certified as Certified Surgical Technologists (CST).
“My experience in the surgical technology program at Lasell was both challenging and rewarding,” said health science major Adrianna Tassone ‘24. “I gained a deep understanding of surgical procedures, sterile technique, and gained healthcare experience that I can use in various future careers.
“I was able to create lasting connections with other surgical technologists, nurses, and even doctors. Even though I chose not to use my certification, the knowledge and discipline I developed during my time strengthened my clinical skills and confidence. I use my graduate program for nursing daily,” said Tassone, who took part in the surgical technology program.
Dr. Cris Haverty, Assistant Vice President of Workforce Development and Global Engagement, explained how the initial certificate program started after a conversation between former President Alexander and the former president of Newton-Wellesley Hospital back in 2021, and it took 18 months to develop, get approved, and become fully accredited. The first cohort of students from Newton-Wellesley Hospital started in May 2022.
The success of the surgical technology program provides a framework and approach for the Office of Workforce Development to lead the way in building talent pipelines for the healthcare industry. Haverty took a data-driven approach when deciding how to implement the surgical technology program into Lasell’s existing infrastructure.
“In Massachusetts specifically, there’s a government website that actually posts the labor statistics data, and it shows the greatest projected growth in particular jobs,” Haverty said. “So surgical technology was at the top of the list.”
However, they currently have a lab in Lasell’s Science and Technology Center. Considering the growing number of students from the programs — beginning with six and now at 72 — Haverty is working on moving spaces around to increase mobility for the program. The program runs every other semester.
Haverty also explained the partnership created between the hospitals working with the university, “including the hospitals providing supplies, equipment, and clinical education sites, and the university delivers the curriculum, and hires faculty to deliver all the courses. It’s a great working relationship because it also defers expenses, creating cost savings for Lasell, while creating a workforce pipeline for the hospitals,” Haverty said.
Most of the students involved in the program were already working at the partner hospital, but in different jobs, including Falmouth Hospital, Cape Cod Hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Hospital, New England Baptist Hospital, and UMass Memorial Hospital, among others.
A surgical technologist is a medical professional who helps prepare a surgical area, such as an operating room, for a procedure. Surgical technologists work with surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel to ensure sterility, clean work areas, and streamlined services throughout an operation.
“We wanted to make sure we’re building something where there’s definitely going to be jobs on the other end waiting,” Haverty said.
As Lasell requires students to complete an internship within their major before graduation, this program is an extension of this promise to be a school for connected learning. The program is currently full to the brim with students, and they are working to expand their learning spaces.
“Currently, the Office of Workforce Development is doing a lot of work in healthcare, but we’ve done some programs in education and the life sciences,” Haverty said.
The surgical technology program can also lead to bachelor’s completion degrees for graduates of the program interested in continuing their careers in healthcare. As this program continues, it ensures that students are prepared for their future careers, making the model in place unique and valuable for the university.
“Very few other universities really are looking at workforce development the way we at Lasell have defined it. Lasell has an incredible opportunity to really make and create a position for themselves and ourselves as an organization. And the more that happens, the more it elevates your educational brand,” Haverty said.
–Nov. 4, 2025–
