“I could not have asked for a better career in doing something that I really enjoyed,” said John Hadley. “If I could, I would go back and do it all over again.” That’s why he works hard to encourage and teach students to embrace a career in Surgical Technology.
Hadley, who holds an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing), Excelsior College in Albany, New York, and a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) with honors, Chamberlain University - Chamberlain College of Nursing, Downers Grove, Illinois, spent the bulk of his career – 30 years -- at the renown Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He was on the heart and lung transplant team and the liver transplant team there. He also gained extensive experience in complex cardiac surgery and worked with a pediatric heart surgeon for many years.
Among his accomplishments, Hadley holds national certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist after completing the Surgical Technology Program at Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester, Minnesota. He belongs to the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.
Hadley is a career-long member of Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), a national organization of over 80,000 surgical technologist members. In 2017, Hadley was elected to the board of the Iowa State Assembly for the AST and now serves as its president. In this role, he works with other surgical technology programs in the state and on state legislation to improve patient safety and provide a stronger culture for all surgical patients. “We are working together to make surgery a safer environment,” he said.
At DMACC where he has been teaching since 2014, Hadley has channeled energy into updating technology and improving and expanding relationships with clinical affiliates. “I have set our program standards a little higher than we are required to by our national accrediting agency,” he said. “This has allowed us to create graduating students that are heavily desired for employment.” He also chairs the Urban Campus’ Group Leader Committee to provide the best student success environment possible.
“DMACC has provided me the tools to provide the community with the best surgical technologists available,” he said. “I would trust my students when it is my turn for a surgical procedure. They will practice to the highest standards and keep me safe. That is what makes DMACC special.
“I am no different than any student,” Hadley said. “I was in their shoes and will happily walk through with them each time. I will take you through education and into employment. Then, I will help you obtain continuing education to keep you employed. If you want to pursue more in higher education, I will help you. I never give up. My students eventually realize that I am with them forever.”
Contact John Hadley at jhadley2@dmacc.edu or (515) 697-7789
