AUSTIN, Texas-(August 18, 2011)- The Seton Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (SIRPS) was honored by Austin Community College's (ACC's) Surgical Technology Program faculty and graduating class of August 2011 as Preceptor of the Year.
The award is presented to one surgical group annually that enhances students' clinical experiences by having a solid knowledge of the field; demonstrating professionalism; welcoming students into the operating room; helping to make students comfortable; demonstrating patience; having a nurturing effect; expecting and allowing students to work at their highest level; providing back-up help; having a pleasant "teaching style"; and giving students a perspective of the field of surgical technology.
Students propose Preceptor of the Year nominees to the Surgical Technology faculty, which then selects one surgeon or medical group for the award from "among the many supportive surgeons the students work with," said Pedro Barrera III, department chair of ACC's Surgical Technology Program.
(Pictured left to right are: Professor Michele Richards, Drs. Weinfeld and Cullington, Department Chair Pedro Barrera III and Professors Barbara Powell and Kathy Cook.)
"Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the profession that you demonstrate and share with our students," Barrera wrote in a letter to SIRPS. Physicians in the group are Drs. James Cullington, Nabil Habash, Raymond Harshbarger, Steven Henry, Patrick Kelley, Sanjay Sharma and Adam Weinfeld.
The award was announced during this month's program graduation ceremony. On Aug. 18, Barrera was joined by three Surgical Technology professors in presenting the award at the SIRPS offices in the Clinical Education Center at Brackenridge.
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the