News Releases

Owens Grad Wins National Surgical Tech Honors in First Year on the Job

Maijoy Wooten

She might be a recent Owens Community College graduate, but Maijoy Wooten’s new coworkers at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center sure can’t tell how new she is. Calling Owens an “elite training ground for the future of healthcare,” Wooten credits her professionalism and preparedness for the workplace with what she learned at Owens.

“My education at Owens prepared me far beyond what I could have ever imagined,” she said. “The program provided extensive hands-on experience across three surgical rotations, allowing me to build confidence and proficiency before even starting my first job.”

Wooten graduated from Owens in May as the Surgical Technology Program outstanding graduate. She’s since moved to Columbus and is an Inpatient Surgical Technologist at the hospital ranked as the second-ranked regional hospital in Ohio, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Her success doesn’t stop there, though. This summer, she received the Student Academic Merit Award from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting and recognition from the Foundation for Surgical Technology — the first Owens grad to receive the awards.

Wooten, a West Coast native who moved to Toledo in 2021 in search of a better life, pivoted from working in the automotive industry to the School of Nursing and Health Professions at Owens while continuing to work multiple jobs. She said the awards mean more than words can express.

“It proves that every early morning, late night and step into the unknown was worth it,” Wooten said. “More importantly, it paves the way for other non-traditional students to see the endless opportunities available when you simply make the decision to show up and never give up on your education.”

According to April Kesler, the department chair of Surgical Technology at Owens, Wooten’s accomplishments are not only a tremendous source of pride, but they also show current and future students what’s possible through perseverance, leadership, professionalism and dedication.

“Maijoy faced challenges throughout the program, but what I admire most is how well she accepted constructive criticism and direction,” Kesler said. “Rather than allowing those challenges to hold her back, she used the feedback to grow and improve beyond measure. Her perseverance and willingness to continually improve are qualities that will serve her well throughout her career.”

Kesler said she saw the first spark in Wooten during her advocacy capstone project, where she established a connection with Toledo Central Catholic High School and coordinated presentations for anatomy classes and a career fair.

“After her first opportunity to present with her group and advocate for the surgical technology profession, you could see a spark in her and a growing confidence in her ability to lead,” Kesler said.

Wooten is using the scholarships to assist with her relocation to Columbus and cover school supplies as she prepares for her first semester at Ohio State in the fall.

But no matter how far she goes in her profession or life, Wooten will always point toward her time at Owens as the start of it all.

“Without a doubt, Owens changed my life,” she said.