Five students from College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Surgical First Assistant program have been selected to attend Mayo Clinic’s Pathway to Excellence: Surgical Assistant Scholarship Event on Nov. 3, in Rochester, Minnesota. Out of 12 spots available nationwide, five were awarded to CWI students, highlighting the program’s growing reputation.
The CWI students selected are:
- Kelsey Fackrell
- Sarah Durbin-Hicks
- Kristin Fremstad
- Cory Mack
- Valeria Cardona-Lopez
The event will include presentations from world-renowned surgeons, panel discussions with Certified Surgical Assistants, tours of Mayo Clinic’s surgical facilities, and hands-on simulation experiences. Students will also attend a scholarship reception and receive a certificate of completion to strengthen their professional portfolios
CWI’s invitation stemmed from national visibility gained after Surgical First Assistant program Director and Instructor, Rob Blackston, appeared on The Surgical Assistant Podcast to discuss the program. With only 14 Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited Surgical First Assistant programs in the U.S., and CWI being one of just two in the western region, Mayo Clinic took notice and reached out directly.
“When Mayo joined one of our class sessions to speak with students, they were immediately impressed,” said Blackston. “Students asked thoughtful questions, demonstrated professionalism, and showed they are motivated to go above and beyond. I couldn’t be prouder.”
For Blackston, the recognition highlights both the caliber of his students and the value of the profession itself. Surgical first assistants work directly alongside surgeons in the operating room, performing critical tasks such as suturing, cauterizing, tying off blood vessels, and assisting with advanced procedures. As physician shortages grow nationwide, the demand for surgical first assistants is increasing, particularly in hospitals like Mayo, where they are fully integrated as critical members of surgical teams.
Blackston hopes this opportunity will not only inspire students to consider careers at Mayo but also benefit the program as a whole.
“This isn’t just about five individuals, it’s about our students bringing back new knowledge, skills, and insights to share with their classmates,” he said. “It shows that CWI students can compete at the national level.”
Applications for CWI’s Surgical First Assistant program are now open through Dec. 12, 2025. For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit Surgical First Assistant’s page.
