Monroe Joins Forces with World-Class Partner MSK to Prepare Future Surgical Technologists

This fall, the first cohort of students will begin an exciting new chapter as part of a groundbreaking Surgical Technology apprenticeship program created through a partnership between the University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and CareerWise.

For Monroe, the collaboration represents more than a new academic offering -- it is an opportunity to partner with one of the world’s most respected healthcare institutions to help prepare the next generation of surgical technologists. Together, the three organizations are creating a debt-free pathway into a vital healthcare profession, combining college coursework, paid clinical experience, mentorship, and direct connections to the workforce.

The inaugural cohort, which will start their studies in the fall semester, will have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology at Monroe while gaining hands-on experience in MSK operating rooms. Through the program, MSK will cover tuition, fees, and books, allowing students to graduate debt-free while building the skills and confidence needed to succeed in one of healthcare’s most demanding environments.

The partnership brings together the strengths of three organizations committed to student success: MSK’s world-renowned clinical excellence, CareerWise’s innovative apprenticeship model, and Monroe’s long-standing commitment to workforce-focused education. Together, they have created a seamless pathway that supports students from recruitment through career placement while helping address growing workforce needs in healthcare.

Monroe’s Surgical Technology program, housed within the University’s School of Allied Health Professions that is led by Dr. Sandy Adler, is designed to prepare students for certification and immediate entry into the workforce.

“Our Surgical Technology program is intentionally designed to align with employer expectations and national certification standards,” said Daphne Warrington, Program Director of Surgical Technology at Monroe University. “Graduates are prepared not only to sit for certification, but to step confidently into the operating room on day one. Partnering with Memorial Sloan Kettering ensures apprentices are receiving world-class clinical experience alongside a rigorous academic foundation that meets the highest professional standards.”

University leaders say the partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, workforce development, and student success. For Monroe, there is particular pride in collaborating with an institution as globally respected as MSK to help educate healthcare professionals who will play a vital role in patient care.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Memorial Sloan Kettering, a world-class leader in cancer care,” said Pamela Lieberman, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Community Outreach. “To help educate and prepare the next generation of surgical technologists who will serve at that level -- supporting complex procedures and helping save lives every single day -- is both an honor and a responsibility we take very seriously. This partnership reflects the confidence MSK has in Monroe’s academic quality and our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for students and employers alike.”

Before classes begin, apprentices will participate in campus visits, assessments, financial aid completion, and orientation activities designed to help them transition smoothly into college life. Throughout the program, they will receive personalized support from Monroe faculty, advisors, and leadership.

Dr. Militza Gonzales, Monroe’s Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships and Advising, emphasized the University’s high-touch student support model.

“Our approach is simple: we are here whenever our students need us,” she said. “Cohort students receive personalized guidance, direct access to leadership, and continuous encouragement. That level of connection helps them persist, thrive, and reach their goals.”

As healthcare systems nationwide continue to face shortages in specialized clinical roles, programs like this provide meaningful solutions—creating opportunities for students while helping healthcare organizations build the skilled workforce they need.

Lieberman added that the partnership’s strength lies in shared purpose and sustained engagement.

“Successful collaborations are built on trust, accountability, and a deep commitment to student success,” she said. “This partnership reflects our shared investment in creating meaningful, debt-free pathways into essential healthcare careers.”

As Monroe prepares to welcome the first cohort this fall, the University is proud to join MSK and CareerWise in creating new opportunities for students while strengthening the healthcare workforce. The partnership demonstrates how education and industry can work together to expand access to opportunity, support student success, and build the next generation of healthcare professionals.