Audrey M Simmons

I am seeking a position in the OR as a surgical technician with the expectation of expanding my horizons and further adding depth to my career.

Ever since a tumor was found at the age of 11, my life has been thrown into the world of medicine. At 12, I had my first brain surgery. You can imagine the gravity of the situation, and the survivability rate in such cases. Not once did I truly fear for my life because of, number one, my firm faith in Jesus, and the faith I had in my surgeon. In such an intense atmosphere, my surgeon opened my head, removed the tumor, and closed me up. Nothing in this world is more fascinating to me than surgery. I am not only alive, but I'm thriving because of what we have the ability and skill to do. It was then that I knew I wanted nothing more than to be able to do that for other people. At 18, I obtained my CNA through my time at a local nursing home. From there, I took my experience and credentials to work in a hospital as a patient care technician, but I still dreamt of the OR. I then moved from a PCT on the cardiac floor to the lab as a phlebotomist, further adding depth to my experience in the hospital, but I had my eye on the prize. I started pursuing further education through Central Penn College to gain the credentials necessary for being a surgical technician. During this time, I was able to obtain a position in sterile processing to better familiarize myself with both the instruments used in surgical cases and the perspective of valuable team members behind the scenes. This brings us to the present, me. A hopeful, excited, and ready-to-take-on-the-world professional with the knowledge, experience, and willingness to learn to do so. I've worked through many chapters to get here and as this one comes to a close, I can't help but imagine where this next chapter will take me! Board certified by national board of surgical technology and surgical assisting.

• Matt Smith, Pastor at Harvest Chapel, PA, 717-634-8290
• Linda Lupian, RN at UPMC Hanover, 717-479-8715
• Don Wolabaugh, Pastor at Harvest Chapel, PA, 717-688-8150