Durham Tech is partnering with the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health Care to launch a new Anesthesia Technology program. It will be the only one of its kind in the state, and is expected be part of the 11 approved programs across the country.

“We’re very excited about this collaboration,” said Durham Tech president Bill Ingram. “Durham Tech’s new Anesthesia Technology program addresses a critical health care need in our region, prepares our students to meet industry needs, and provides upward economic mobility for our workforce.”

Once approved, the program will consist of 66 credit hours covering topics such as anesthesia technology, science and general education. Students who complete the program will earn an Associate in Applied Science degree and be eligible to take the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) National Certification Examination.

Dr. Chris Howard, Medical Director for Anesthesia Technology at UNC Health Care, helped establish the program after assessing the need for certified anesthesia technicians in the area’s local hospitals. According to Howard, he found that the anesthesia professionals “…struggled to grow with the rest of the department and hospital. We can train inexperienced people to become good anesthesia technicians, but nothing can replicate the training available through an ASATT-certified program.”

UNC Health Care will support the program at Durham Tech with donations of essential equipment and supplies, lecturing for students, and valuable input into curriculum development.

“The partnership with UNC Health Care reflects how, together, we can problem solve to not only address workforce needs but also contribute positively to the health of patients,” said Melissa Oakley Ockert, Dean and Department Head of Health Technologies at Durham Tech.

“This is a testament to how a community college and its valuable clinical partners can build vital, healthier communities,” said Ockert.

Related Stories
‹
UNC, Durham Tech Leaders Discuss Measuring Higher Ed Success
For many years, publications have ranked and rated higher education institutions, saying the goal is to better inform people about the value of their education. But after several schools began declining to participate in the latest round of law school rankings by the U.S. News & World Report, more people began questioning their […]
UNC: Phishing Incident Possibly Exposes Information of 3,700 Individuals
More than 3,700 individuals may have had their personal information exposed as a result of a data breach at the UNC School of Medicine. The university announced the breach on Tuesday, following a “lengthy and extensive review conducted by a leading independent forensic firm” found that “an unauthorized third party gained access to several email […]
Retired UNC Professor Goes Missing During Swimming Competition
Race organizers issued a statement from the family of van der Horst: “The family of Charles Van Der Horst of Chapel Hill, NC is deeply saddened to confirm the loss of our beloved Charlie. He was participating in several stages of the 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim when he went under at the finish […]
President Spellings: What Should Her Agenda Be For UNC?
UNC leaders say Margaret Spellings should be building relationships - and she may be uniquely suited to do it.
Bond Proposal Could Bring New School of Medicine Facility to UNC
The UNC School of Medicine is introducing new curriculum and could be moving into a new facility. This was part of a presentation from Dr. Julie Byerley, vice dean for education and chief education officer at the school. She laid out curriculum changes to the Board of Trustees at its meeting on Thursday. Byerley said […]
Accidental Alarm Registration; "Better Back Care"; August Pet Adoption
If you're in Chapel Hill and you haven't registered your alarm yet, now is the time to do it.
UNC Football 2025 Spring Transfer Portal Window Tracker: Arrivals
The spring window of the college football transfer portal opened Wednesday, April 16 and will close Friday, April 25. Players who intend to transfer must enter their names into the portal before the window closes, but do not need to have selected their next school by then. Here is a summary of which players have […]
UNC Football 2025 Spring Transfer Portal Window Tracker: Departures
The spring window of the college football transfer portal opened Wednesday, April 16 and will close Friday, April 25. Players who intend to transfer must enter their names into the portal before the window closes, but do not need to have selected their next school by then. Here is a summary of which UNC players […]
UNC Football's Beau Atkinson, Sack Leader from 2024, to Enter Transfer Portal
UNC defensive end Beau Atkinson plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Wednesday. Inside Carolina initially reported the news Tuesday night, and it was later shared by On3 Sports’ Hayes Fawcett. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hayes Fawcett (@hayesfawcett3) The Tar Heels concluded spring practice Saturday afternoon. A rising […]
UNC Baseball Stays Hot, Beats Charlotte at Boshamer Stadium
The Diamond Heels earned their third run-rule win in their last four games Tuesday night at Boshamer Stadium, beating Charlotte 14-4. The game ended after UNC scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Carolina cruisin 😎 Make it three run-rules in four games for the Tar Heels!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/n30qD7rF5O — Carolina […]
›