From Classroom to Operating Room

A recent graduate in Tulsa Tech’s Biomedical Science program, Lauren Victory has had a busy summer building her resume to one day become a surgeon.

“Lauren was an amazing student. She always had a positive attitude, always paid attention to what she was being taught and really went out and took advantage of every opportunity. She is going to go really far and I’m excited to see what she will accomplish,” Biomedical Science Instructor Holly Ivers said.

Victory has been an active Junior Volunteer at Ascension St. John, gaining invaluable experience in the medical field over the past two years. She worked on the labor and delivery floor her first year, shadowing nurses and assisting Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). She also observed various surgeries, getting a front-row seat to the world of medicine. Initially interested in obstetrics, her passion shifted toward cardiothoracic surgery after spending time in the operating room.

“Seeing surgery was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, and it was the coolest thing in the world,” Victory said.

As one of only two high school students selected for the Tulsa Area Bioscience Education & Research Consortium (TABERC), Victory got first-hand experience as she researched micro viruses this summer. Along with her research, she earned a $1,000 stipend to help further her education.

“Tulsa Tech has taught me a lot about what I want to do in the future. When I started at Tulsa Tech, I wasn’t sure I even wanted to go into the medical field, but I really liked the anatomy and biology curriculum, and now I can’t see myself doing anything else,” Victory said.

Victory, along with her classmates Maria Maluenga and Jasmine Tilly, took first place in the State for their Mental Health Promotion project in the HOSA competition. They created an Instagram page, launched a GoFundMe for Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Mental Health Hospital, created a playlist on Spotify of relevant podcasts, and more, all to raise awareness about eating disorders. Their hard work led them to present at an international competition this summer, which was a rewarding experience for the whole team.

“Tulsa Tech was worth every minute,” Victory said. “I met so many people and I learned so much, not only about my classes, but about college and how to apply. My note taking and listening skills also improved, and I became a more involved student. All of that is helping me now and will continue to help me in the future.”

Victory plans to attend Tulsa Community College for a semester before going to The University of Oklahoma for her undergraduate degree and then Oklahoma State University for medical school. With her drive and passion, the sky’s the limit.