Published on September 25, 2025

Lake Land College is introducing a brand-new associate degree program in Surgical Technology, creating a local pathway for students to earn high-demand careers as surgical technologists.

The new program will prepare students to perform the vital work of surgical technologists, including preparing patients for surgery, assisting surgeons with instruments and following strict procedures to maintain sterile environments. Students who successfully complete the Surgical Technology program will be qualified to perform these functions in hospitals, medical clinics, surgery centers and dental offices.

“Surgical Technologists are part of a healthcare team working in an operating room to safeguard patient care by upholding strict sterile procedures and demonstrating surgical conscience,” Erica Hotze, Surgical Technology Program Director & Clinical Coordinator, said. “It is a great healthcare field with many employment opportunities throughout our region.”

The Lake Land College Surgical Technology program will combine online classes with in-person labs, providing students with an immersive yet flexible experience. The College is also partnering with two local hospitals, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon and HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, for students to complete the program’s clinical requirements in real healthcare settings.

The new program addresses a local need for highly-qualified surgical technologists. Statewide employment for surgical technologists is predicted to increase by 17.7% over the next three years, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. By developing this new program, Lake Land is set to create a strong pipeline in the region to fill this growing field.

The Lake Land College Surgical Technology program is set to launch in Spring 2026, with the program’s initial cohort beginning in January. The deadline for students to apply to join this first cohort is Friday, December 19. To apply, students can begin by applying to Lake Land on the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu. Students should then complete the special admission form, also available on the College’s website at LakeLandCollege.edu/Surgical-Technology/Application.

To learn more about the Lake Land College Surgical Technology program or how to apply, contact Erica Hotze, Surgical Technology Program Director & Clinical Coordinator, at 217-234-5369 or ehotze@lakelandcollege.edu.