Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver holds proclamation after presenting it to (from left to right) back row; Charles "Rick" Hall, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Augusta Tech; front row from left to right; Melissa Jury, Surgical Technologist, MCG Health, Inc,; Gwen Taylor, Dean of Allied Health Science and Nursing at Augusta Tech; Hildreth Leverett, Senior Surgical Technologist, MCG Health, Inc.; Gene Burke, Director and Instructor of the Surgical Technology Department of Augusta Tech; Stephanie Potter and Shauna James, both Surgical Technologist for the Surgery Center of Columbia County and graduates of Augusta Technical College.

Each year Surgical Technologist Week is an opportunity to promote the profession and educate the community about the vital role that surgical technologists play within the operating room.  The week of September 21st-27th marked this year's celebration week with the theme of "Surgical Technology-A Touch of Excellence."

Gene Burke Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Director and Instructor of the Surgical Technology Program at Augusta Technical College spearheaded the initiative to have Mayor Deke Copenhaver proclaim this week as Surgical Technology Week in Augusta. The mayor took this time to encourage all citizens to recognize and applaud surgical technologists' accomplishments and efforts to improve surgical healthcare and show appreciation for the nation's surgical technologists at every opportunity.