2026 Student Academic Merit Award Application Closed on March 27, 2026.
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) will announce the recipients of the 2026 NBSTSA Student Academic Merit Award in May 2026. This award reflects NBSTSA’s mission to support educational pursuits in the profession and is given based on a student’s dedication, and commitment to academic and personal excellence.
You may read about the application at 2026 Merit Award Application.
Seventeen Surgical Technologist Students Received the 2025 NBSTSA Student Academic Award
LITTLETON, CO (July 2, 2025) – The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
(NBSTSA) announced the recipients of the 2025 NBSTSA Student Academic Merit Award. This award
reflects NBSTSA’s mission to support educational pursuits in the profession and is given based on a
student’s dedication, and commitment to academic and personal excellence.
“We receive many outstanding applicants, and the NBSTSA is pleased to support these students in their
educational and professional journey,” said NBTSA CEO Robin Y. Jenkins, CAE, ICE-CCP. “Each one of our
scholarship awardees studies at an accredited institution and represent the next generation of qualified
surgical technologists. We look forward to welcoming them into our community when they earn their
certification of surgical technologists (CST®) and providing them with resources to stay current on industry
advancements.”
Each year, Student Academic Merit Awards are given by NBSTSA. The 2025 awards include one $3,000
scholarship, in memory of Dalton Gay, a student and athlete from North Carolina; one $2,000 award,
based on essays and grades; and fifteen $1,000 awards based on academic dedication, commitment to
quality surgical patient care, and enhancing public safety. Shakirah Muhammed of Cabarrus College of
Health Sciences in Concord, NC received the $3,000 Dalton Gay Scholarship, awarded to students who
demonstrate a passion and dedication to education and service. Divina Leal of South College in
Indianapolis, IN received the $2,000 Student Academic Merit scholarship.
In addition, the following students were awarded $1,000 scholarships:
• Jessica Rivera, San Manuel Gateway College – Loma Linda University in San Bernardino, CA
• MacKensie Zahara, Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, WI
• Nathan Towery, Calhoun Community College in North Tanner, AL
• AzJinay Pressley, College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, NV
• Veronica Herrera, American Career College in Anaheim, CA
• Amanda Miceli, Seattle Central Surgical Technology in Seattle, WA
• Lauren Kattman, Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA - Master of Surgical Assisting
• Miriam Garcia, American Career College in Anaheim, CA
• Savette Stroud, Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI
• Ryon Rich, South College in Indianapolis, IN
• Pollie King, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in Concord, NC
• Naomi Richards, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College in Bowling Green, KY
• Kristina Douglas, Aims Education College of Health in Piscataway, NJ
• Julianna Clarke, Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD
• Chrissiana Harmon, Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA - Master of Surgical Assisting
You may read and print the announcement here.