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Suffolk native Lauren Kattmann is set to graduate May 17 with a Master of Surgical Assisting degree from the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University.

Before stepping into an operating room, Kattmann prepared for the pressure, precision and teamwork the field demands.

As an undergraduate at Virginia Military Institute, she learned to lead under stress, adapt quickly and hold herself to the highest standards. Those lessons didn’t come entirely from textbooks — they were earned in the mud at 6 a.m. as part of physical training, in the halls of an institution built on integrity and in a community that expected excellence.

“Things like honesty and integrity weren’t just demanded, but expected of everyone at all times,” Kattmann said. “We had zero tolerance for anything but, and the single-sanction honor system ensured it.”

Now, as she prepares to graduate with a Master of Surgical Assisting from the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University, she’s ready to take everything VMI taught her and put it to work in service to patients and surgical teams.

Kattmann was a lifelong athlete who played soccer throughout her childhood and into the start of her college career before switching to rugby. She credits her Christian faith with shaping her values and fueling her drive to serve others.

When it came time to choose a college, VMI was at the top of her list. Her father — a 1983 VMI graduate who went on to become a U.S. Navy pilot — was surprised when she expressed interest in attending his alma mater.

“He asked me more than once if I was sure,” she recalled. “I said yes every time.”

Complementing her lifelong fascination with the human body, Kattmann earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in psychology in 2023. But her time at VMI didn’t just prepare her academically. It sharpened her ability to stay focused under pressure, communicate clearly and take ownership in high-stakes situations — all skills that now translate seamlessly into the operating room.

The decision to enroll in the EVMS School of Health Professions at ODU was an easy one. Not only is the surgical assisting program the only master’s-level program of its kind in the country, it’s also highly respected.

“I am very thankful to those who pioneered this program at EVMS,” she said. “The school’s name carries weight. Many times during my clinical rotations, preceptors would automatically hold me to a higher standard simply due to where I was getting my education.”

What excites her most about surgical assisting is the variety and responsibility.

“It is a privilege to be that second pair of professional eyes, ears and hands that aid in improving patient care and outcomes inside the operating room,” she said. “Additionally, being trained in every specialty allows surgical assistants to bring a unique perspective to the operating table and room.”

Kattmann is already thinking about how to give back to the profession and the communities that shaped her. Her initial career goals involve facilitating and fostering the next generation of surgical assisting students.

“Ultimately, it is my goal and wish to give back to the communities that have continuously supported, taught and mentored me throughout my academic, spiritual and professional journey,” she said.

Driven by her love of learning and passion for medicine, Kattmann is ready for whatever challenge comes next.

“One of the greatest strengths surgical assistants possess,” she said, “is the ability to remain fluid, flexible, highly adaptable and well prepared.”

Kattmann will graduate with the M.S.A. Class of 2025 on May 17 in Chartway Arena.