John interviews co-host Kelly about her experience at the recent joint ASA/NSAA conference in Atlanta, which sold out with 173 attendees and over 200 including vendors. Kelly explains the typical conference flow, from Friday registration and optional pre-conference workshops to the State of the Association updates and keynote, followed by Saturday’s scientific sessions, vendor hall networking, and raffles. She shares highlights including a stapling technologies workshop with historical devices, standout vendor products like the SYLK incision dressing, and impactful talks on complex deformity correction, colorectal surgery, bariatric duodenal switch, wound closure principles, and neurosurgical considerations. Kelly notes strong professional energy, cross-mingling between organizations, progress toward unification under the American Academy of Surgical Assistants, and announces next year’s conference in Tampa, April 16–17, 2027.

In this episode of the Surgical Assistant Podcast, host John interviews Dr. Terry Herring, division chair for surgical services and director/founder of the Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) Surgical First Assistant program, launched in 2019. Herring explains the program is entirely online with a paid, work-based learning clinical component where students count cases at their current employer under surgeon preceptorship. Admission requires candidates to be credentialed surgical technologists and already hold an associate degree. They discuss certification expectations, professional organization membership, and why SFA roles are growing as a cost-effective hospital model.

For Information of enrolling in FTCC's SFA program or program questions please contact Dr. Herring at:

herringt@faytechcc.edu

Welcome to Season 2 of the Surgical Assistant Podcast!

In this episode, Kelly and John dive into the world of hernias, starting with inguinal hernias. They discuss the basics of what a hernia is, the differences between direct and indirect inguinal hernias, and highlight key anatomical landmarks. They also touch on the historical evolution of hernia surgery and offer practical tips on prepping and draping for these procedures. Stay tuned for insights on mesh types, surgical techniques, and more to keep you informed and at the top of your game in the OR. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes!

00:00 Welcome to Season Two

00:30 Introduction to Hernia Series

01:22 Understanding Hernias

03:44 Inguinal Hernia Anatomy

05:07 Direct vs Indirect Hernias

09:22 Hernia Repair Techniques

11:39 Historical Evolution of Hernia Surgery

14:24 Anatomical Landmarks and Surgical Considerations

14:40 Triangle of Pain and Triangle of Doom

17:17 Robotic and Laparoscopic Approaches

25:06 Critical Anatomy in Hernia Surgery

25:33 Regional Variations in Surgical Techniques

26:23 Prepping and Draping for Inguinal Hernia Surgery

32:10 Open Inguinal Hernia Repair: Step-by-Step

34:43 Mesh Types and Techniques in Hernia Repair

39:21 Robotic and Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

42:26 Tips and Tricks for Surgical Assistants

49:02 Conclusion and Upcoming Events