Spencer Hospital Awarded Grant to Support Surgical Technologist Apprenticeship

Spencer Hospital has been awarded grant funding through the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) to support a Surgical Technologist apprentice, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to workforce development and creating career pathways in healthcare.

Spencer Hospital was among more than 70 program sponsors across Iowa selected to receive grant funding designed to sustain and grow Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs as employers train the next generation of Iowa’s workforce. The funding supports programs in many of the state’s high-demand occupations and helps employers expand high-quality, hands-on training opportunities.

The grants are awarded through the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship, which oversees and administers more than 900 apprenticeship programs serving more than 9,200 active apprentices statewide. Fiscal Year 2025 marked the first full year of the IOA’s existence, with a focus on strengthening training, compliance, technical assistance, and long-term success for apprenticeship programs throughout Iowa.

“Whether we are supporting the creation of new programs or sustaining longstanding programs, Iowa has demonstrated its commitment to Registered Apprenticeships – a proven model for developing a skilled workforce while providing students the opportunity to earn while they learn,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “Iowa’s investment in Registered Apprenticeships demonstrates our commitment to supporting alternative career pathways in high-quality training programs in high-demand occupations because we recognize the value they provide to our state.”

At Spencer Hospital, the apprenticeship model has already proven successful.

“Our experience with the apprenticeship program was overwhelmingly positive and truly beneficial to our facility,” said Chanda Doring, Director of Surgery at Spencer Hospital. “Through the program, we were able to train a surgical technologist in a structured, supportive environment and seamlessly transition her into a permanent member of our surgical team upon completion.”

Doring added that the program has helped strengthen the surgical team while supporting individuals interested in entering the healthcare field.

Surgical technologists play an important role in the operating room, assisting surgeons and nurses by preparing surgical instruments, maintaining sterile environments, and supporting patient safety before, during, and after procedures.

The apprenticeship program is one of many student experiences Spencer Hospital offers to help students gain an inside look at career pathways in healthcare. Through job shadowing, clinical experiences, apprenticeships, and hands-on career fairs, Spencer Hospital continues to invest in developing the future healthcare workforce.

To learn more about career opportunities and student experiences at Spencer Hospital, visit SpencerHospital.org.