Buckeye Hills Career Center’s Technician in Surgery program held a Pinning Ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026, celebrating six students for their accomplishments in successfully completing BHCC’s Technician in Surgery program.
The Technician in Surgery program consists of 1,342 hours of training including lab and clinical experience. During their clinical experience, students exercise the skills they learn in a variety of hospital settings including the operating room, obstetrics, and central supply.
The ceremony began with BHCC’s Rebecca Polinsky, M.Ed, CST, welcoming all in attendance and addressing the Technician in Surgery students.
Student Katie Morris then shared a speech with her fellow classmates and audience. Program staff and special guests in attendance were then introduced: Jessica Blevins, Lead Instructor; Erin Cales, lab instructor; Jennifer Spetnagel, instructor; Tyler Schweickart, Dean of Postsecondary Instruction; and Patrick McDonald, Board Member.
The following awards were then presented: Highest GPA Award – Emma Autenrieth; 1st Semester Clinical Award – Breanna Rapp; 2nd Semester Clinical Award – Kassidy Sickles; Buckeye Award – Kassidy Sickles; Leadership Award – Kassidy Sickles; Most Clinical Cases – Katie Morris.
The ceremony concluded with the pinning ceremony and presentation of certificates followed by the Surgical Technologists Pledge led by student Kaylee Potts. Students that received pins included Emma Autenrieth, Trinity Jones, Katie Morris, Kaylee Potts, Breanna Rapp, and Kassidy Sickles.
The students are now eligible to take the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) exam.
View the full photo gallery from the Pinning Ceremony here.
The next Technician in Surgery cohort will begin in August 2026 and enrollment is currently open. For more information about the Technician in Surgery program at Buckeye Hills Career Center, please visit BuckeyeHills.net/apply.