Methodist Healthcare has partnered with the Navy Medicine Training Center of the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) to provide enlisted technical medical training for the Navy. Twelve students, the second class of the consolidated surgical technologist program, participated in a graduation ceremony on Thursday, July 28.

The training program focuses on a broad base of professional development consisting of six courses as well as 12 weeks of clinical rotations. Surgical technologists, also known as “scrub techs,” assist surgeons in the operating room. The METC training programs will save lives on the battlefield as well as strengthen San Antonio’s role as a medical training center of excellence.

METC is the result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) legislation that requires medical training for the Army, Air Force and Navy to be co-located to Fort Sam Houston. It is the largest consolidation of service training in the history of the Department of Defense.

HN Shaloma Taylor, USN, was recognized as the class’ Distinguished Honor Student with a 96.29% score. Methodist Healthcare’s Department of Education & Research organizes the student’s training and rotations.

“As you go out into the world to serve our country, I want you to remember one thing: always put the patients first,” advised Wanda Gibbons, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Methodist Hospital, as she addressed the naval students decked out in their formal white uniforms.