Pursuing a Dream as a Surgical Tech
Chomplearn Richchouyrod, who goes by Paige, has long dreamed of becoming a surgical technician. However, having to put in extra hours working just to make ends meet made the dream of completing a full-time surgical tech program seem impossible. Paige was thinking about how to sustain such a stressful load when her instructor announced the Metallica Scholars Initiative in her surgical tech class at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), and her hope rose.
“Getting the Metallica scholarship greatly relieved my financial burden and allowed me to continue my education,” says Paige
Growing up in Thailand, Paige’s passion for surgical intervention started at a young age. “I find the human body fascinating and at age 12, asked my friend’s dad, a general surgeon, to show me surgical photos,” she said. “I was so amazed.” A few years later, her father passed away from a heart attack which strongly influenced Paige to pursue a degree in healthcare.
However, finding only frustration in a healthcare system in Thailand that is so inefficient, Paige abandoned her true passion for surgery and started studying law instead. Her move to America made it acceptable to her to pursue a career in healthcare again, and she enrolled in the surgical tech program at SLCC.
Her goal is to continue to grow her career by working at a trauma 1 center like the University of Utah because it’s “fast-paced, surrounded by great professionals and filled with interesting cases.” Thanks to the Metallica Scholars Initiative Scholarship, that goal now looks achievable. “I don’t have to work full-time and have more study time. I truly appreciate this award,” says Paige