One year after launching a collaborative effort to address healthcare workforce shortages in Southern Oregon, regional education and healthcare leaders say a new Surgical Technology program is already producing measurable results while expanding career opportunities for local residents.
Rogue Community College, Linn-Benton Community College, and Providence Medford Medical Center announced the partnership in 2025 with the goal of creating a sustainable local pipeline for surgical technologists serving Jackson and Josephine counties. The initiative introduced an accredited Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology to the region for the first time, allowing students to complete professional training without leaving Southern Oregon.
The program was developed through a shared model that combines resources from multiple institutions. Students begin by completing prerequisite coursework at Rogue Community College, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, writing, mathematics, and other foundational health science classes designed to prepare applicants for the demands of the program. After admission into the competitive surgical technology cohort, students participate in online academic instruction delivered by Linn-Benton Community College while attending in-person laboratory training at RCC. Clinical experience is provided through operating room rotations at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Officials say the inaugural cohort reached capacity before the application deadline last year, demonstrating strong regional demand for accessible healthcare education. Students in that first class are now completing their initial year of training, gaining experience through simulated surgical environments and hands-on clinical placements within hospital operating rooms.
“This program continues to demonstrate how powerful regional collaboration can be,” said RCC Dean of Health and Public Service Rusty Riis. “By working closely with our education and healthcare partners, we’re reducing barriers for students, expanding access to high-quality training and strengthening the healthcare workforce right here in Southern Oregon.”
Healthcare providers have long identified surgical technologists as a critical workforce need, particularly in rural regions where recruitment challenges can limit access to care. Providence Medford Medical Center leaders say the partnership is already helping address that gap by preparing locally trained professionals who are familiar with the community they will serve.
“We are thrilled to see this program take hold in Southern Oregon,” said Providence Medford Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Kate Kitchell, RN. “Before this partnership, there was no local pipeline for surgical technologists. This collaboration allows us to grow our own workforce while maintaining the high standards of care our community expects.”
Students participating in the program describe the opportunity to train close to home as a significant advantage. Carl Nelson, a member of the inaugural cohort, said the program creates access for individuals who may not have been able to relocate for specialized medical training.
“The partnership brings a real career pathway to people in Southern Oregon who couldn’t relocate for a program like this,” Nelson said. “The faculty have been incredible; the more you invest in the program, the more you get out of it. It opens real doors at medical facilities in the area, and I think I can speak for my fellow students when I say it’s been an incredibly fruitful experience for all of us.”
Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist examination, entering a profession that continues to experience strong demand nationwide. The program holds full accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, ensuring students meet nationally recognized education and training standards.
Leaders at Linn-Benton Community College say the partnership demonstrates how institutions can work together to respond quickly to workforce needs without duplicating programs or infrastructure.
“This partnership shows what’s possible when institutions work together toward a shared goal,” said LBCC Dean of Healthcare Division Rick Goranflo. “By leveraging each partner’s strengths, we’re able to respond quickly to workforce needs without duplicating resources.”
Program organizers are now preparing to admit a new group of students for Fall 2026. Applications will open May 18 at 9 a.m. and close June 18 at 4 p.m. Prospective applicants are encouraged to complete prerequisite coursework in advance due to the competitive selection process and strong early interest.
As the program enters its second year, participating institutions say the collaboration represents a long-term investment in regional healthcare access, workforce development, and educational opportunity across Southern Oregon. More information about prerequisites and applications is available through Rogue Community College’s Surgical Technology program website.