LYNCHBURG, Va. – Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) and Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) are partnering to expand access to Surgical Technology education and strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline in Central Virginia.
The partnership is expected to welcome its first Lynchburg-area cohort in Fall 2027, pending final program approvals. Centra Health is expected to support the program by providing laboratory space for hands-on training, supporting clinical rotations within its surgical services areas and, as plans are finalized, providing an instructor to support laboratory and clinical education. Students interested in the program will be able to begin completing prerequisite coursework before the first cohort begins, giving them an opportunity to prepare for admission in advance.
Through the partnership, students will earn a Surgical Technology degree from Piedmont Virginia Community College while completing portions of their education and training closer to home. PVCC will provide lectures remotely for the program, while laboratory and clinical components will offer students hands-on preparation for careers in the operating room and other surgical environments in the Greater Lynchburg Region.
“This partnership is an important step toward creating more accessible pathways into high-demand healthcare careers for students in our region,” said Dr. Jason Ferguson, Chief Workforce Officer and AVP of Professional and Career Studies at CVCC. “By working collaboratively with Piedmont Virginia Community College and Centra, we can connect students with quality education and hands-on training while helping meet the workforce needs of healthcare providers throughout Central Virginia.”
“Our Surgical Technology Program has a strong record of preparing graduates who stay in our region and serve the healthcare needs of our communities. Expanding this pathway through our partnership with Central Virginia Community College will allow us to prepare more students for these high-demand careers while strengthening the surgical workforce across Central Virginia,” shared PVCC Dean of Health and Life Sciences Nicole Winkler.
Centra’s planned support will allow students to complete PVCC’s Surgical Technology curriculum while receiving hands-on laboratory and clinical training in the Lynchburg area. The collaboration will give students access to hands-on learning environments that support the technical skills and practical experience required in surgical technology.
“Having a Surgical Technology program here in Lynchburg is an important investment in the future of healthcare in our community. Surgical technologists are essential members of the operating room team, and creating a local pathway for students to receive high-quality education and hands-on clinical experience will help build a strong pipeline of skilled professionals. By preparing students close to home, we can create opportunities for people across our region while developing the workforce needed to meet the growing surgical and healthcare needs of our community for years to come,” said Jen Drudy, Centra vice president of Perioperative Services.
"The launch of a Surgical Technology program through our partnership with CVCC is an important step forward for both healthcare and workforce development in our region. Our community has experienced a persistent shortage of qualified surgical technologists, and this program helps address a critical workforce need while creating valuable career opportunities for local students. We are excited to welcome this addition to the community and look forward to building a strong pipeline of skilled professionals who will help care for patients across Central Virginia," said Dr. Clinton Beverly, executive medical director of CMG Surgical Specialists.
Students will complete prerequisite coursework before entering the Surgical Technology cohort. Current plans include approximately 13 prerequisite credits, including SUR 100, which students may begin completing during the spring and summer terms prior to the Fall 2027 cohort. Fall 2026 2nd 8-week classes begin October 21st, so there is time to start taking classes immediately.
Some prerequisite courses may also apply toward other healthcare programs, providing students with additional flexibility as they explore career pathways within the healthcare field.
The program is being designed to serve both students entering healthcare for the first time and individuals interested in advancing or transitioning into a new healthcare career. The initial Lynchburg-area cohort is expected to include approximately six students, allowing for focused instruction and hands-on clinical preparation.
Additional information regarding application dates, prerequisite requirements and enrollment will be announced as program development and approval processes are finalized.
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About Central Virginia Community College
Central Virginia Community College is a two-year state college located in Lynchburg, Virginia and is part of the Virginia Community College System. Established in 1966, CVCC serves students at its main campus in Lynchburg, and its off-site centers in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell counties. The curricula and programs of the college serve more than 228,000 people within this geographical jurisdiction. With academic excellence as its aim in all areas, CVCC offers various programs to meet the diverse needs of the region it serves. Learn more about CVCC at centralvirginia.edu.
About Piedmont Virginia Community College
Established in 1972, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a nonresidential two-year institution of higher education that serves Central Virginia – principally, residents of the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. PVCC is committed to providing access to a college education for all who can benefit, an opportunity for each student to reach their potential, and excellence in all programs and services. The main campus is in Albemarle County, Virginia. Classes are also offered at the PVCC Eugene Giuseppe Center in Stanardsville, Va. (Greene County) and the PVCC Jefferson School CityCenter in downtown Charlottesville. Visit pvcc.edu.