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�鶹Ӱ�� graduate Kilie Fetzer has been named the 2025 ApprenticeshipNC Outstanding Registered Apprentice after finding her passion while working as a receptionist at a surgeon’s office, where she learned about surgical tech careers. 

“One of the amazing surgeons knew my frustrations of wanting to go back to school to further my education but having no idea what I wanted to do,” Fetzer said. “He offered to let me shadow him in the operating room to observe and see if anything sparked my interest. That’s when I learned what a surgical technologist is.” 

Wasting no time, that evening, Fetzer went online to do some research about the profession and where she might go to become a surgical tech. 

Fetzer found an associate degree program at �鶹Ӱ�� and continued her journey in the medical field as Fetzer had previously started both the nursing and sonography programs but had not completed either. 

“I found that �鶹Ӱ�� offered a two-year associate degree program,” Fetzer said. “I was hesitant to apply right away because i didn’t want to go into another career path just to find out I did not like it, but after talking to my family and friends and listening to myself, I applied for the program.” 

Fetzer got into the program, and because of her nursing and sonography courses, she had many of the prerequisites. 

“I started the program motivated,” she said. “I loved going into the labs because I learn best through hands-on experiences.” 

“Kilie is one of the most determined students I have taught,” said Jill Roofner, director/instructor of the Surgical Technology program. “She did whatever it took to be successful. She spent lots of time in the lab and was very involved in class, learning the skills required such as the sterilization techniques and gloving and gowning of herself and the surgeon. I would even walk by the student lounge and see Kilie in there studying.” 

While in her degree program, Fetzer’s class was presented with the opportunity to participate in a new surgical technology apprenticeship program through the state of North Carolina. 

These types of innovative apprenticeship programs help students find the career they want by giving them hands-on, real-life experience while still in college. These partnerships also help employers build strong talent pipelines 

“After three semesters in the program and an exam, students were able to interview and apply for a Duke internship,” Roofner said. “Kilie wanted that apprenticeship and never wavered.” 

Fetzer got an apprenticeship with Duke Health. This chance presented Fetzer with a way to work as a Duke employee and get a head start on her career while still in school. 

“While still going through her program at �鶹Ӱ��, Kilie worked 30 hours with Duke,” Roofner said. 

Fetzer said that she had always worked while in school so she knew she could do that, but the thought of working toward what she would soon go on to do sounded “extraordinary.” 

“Because of my classes at �鶹Ӱ�� before, the nerves of being in the operating room and doing the cases hands-on were already gone,” Fetzer said. “Of course, I was not totally comfortable being on my own in the operating room, but this chance presented a way for me to work as a Duke employee and get a head start on my employee orientation.” 

During her second rotation of clinicals, Fetzer was placed at Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center where she bonded with fellow employees and the surgeons. Her perfectionism set her apart. 

“Kilie created a guidebook to help herself and others know what particular surgeons liked and wanted when they came into the operating room,” Roofner said. “Her love is the operating room.” 

“When I was hired by Duke it was great coming back as an employee,” Fetzer said. “I received great feedback from other employees and the surgeons, and they all said they were happy to see me back.” 

Fetzer knew she had found her home and now scrubs into all sorts of specialty surgeries, ranging from sport orthopedics, foot/ankle, spine, general, plastics and urology just to name a few. 

“Going through the apprenticeship truly gave me such an advantage in my job today,” she said. “I will always be grateful for where it led me and honored by the award bestowed on me.” 

“It is so impressive that Kilie is the first student who went through our program when there was the apprenticeship opportunity, and she is now an award-winning student. Impressive, but not a surprise,” Roofner said. 

Fetzer noted how people can influence career paths positively. 

“Growing up in Ohio, I would’ve never thought I would be receiving a state-level award in North Carolina,” Fetzer said. “I graduated high school in 2016 with a class of 112 and had the dream of being a flight nurse. It was because of that one surgeon taking the time to notice my desire to go back to school to find my passion that my whole career trajectory changed.”