JACKSON and JOSEPHINE COUNTIES (June 3, 2025) – Rogue Community College (RCC) announces a partnership with Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) and Providence Medford Medical Center that will bring a Surgical Technology program to the Rogue Valley—an important step toward addressing the critical need for trained surgical technologists in Southern Oregon.
This collaborative effort allows students in the Rogue Valley to earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology without leaving the region. This LBCC program blends online coursework with in-person labs at RCC’s Table Rock Campus and hands-on clinical experience at Providence Medford Medical Center.
“Linn-Benton Community College is thrilled to expand our Surgical Technology program to Rogue Community College and Providence Medford Medical Center in Southern Oregon,” said Rick Goranflo, dean of LBCC’s Healthcare Division. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, in-demand healthcare education that addresses our state’s growing need for licensed healthcare professionals.”
Graduates will be prepared to take the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam, administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), ensuring students receive industry-recognized, high-quality training.
Surgical technologists are essential members of the surgical team, responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of surgical procedures. With strong demand nationwide, this program offers a timely and much-needed pathway to a rewarding and stable healthcare career.
“This program is a game-changer for our region,” said Dave Koehler, dean of Health & Public Service at RCC. “It provides local access to a high-demand career field and reflects RCC’s commitment to meeting community workforce needs.”
Kate Kitchell, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Medford Medical Center, said, “We’re thrilled to be partnering yet again with Rogue Community College in developing a workforce education pipeline to grow a much-needed skill set in the valley.
“Currently, there’s no surgical tech program in the Rogue Valley, so we’ve faced challenges in recruiting local caregivers. Additionally, current caregivers who want to grow into the surgical technologist field have to leave the valley to get that education,” Kitchell said. “This partnership will close a significant workforce gap which will allow us to continue to provide high-quality care for our community.”
Enrollment is now open for the fall 2025 cohort. For more information, visit roguecc.edu/SurgicalTech.
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For general media inquiries or to schedule an interview with RCC staff, please contact Director, Marketing & Communications/PIO Kelly Gonzales at 541-955-7525, kgonzales@roguecc.edu.