Julie is the founder and CEO of SVSTI. She has successfully developed SVSTI from the ground up including but not limited to the logo, website, clinical relationships and curriculum. She is very passionate about the field and student success. She started the Sterile Processing & Surgical Technology Programs in hopes to bring the two departments together as a team. She is extremely passionate about educating students to be successful members of the medical community. She has over 2 decades in the field and almost a decade on the education side of the field. Her motto is "Stay hungry, stay humble". She enforces the standards and best practices to her students and has high expectations from them. She also ensures that her instructors are teaching the students to meet her expectations and the Standards. Even with all the hats she wears she tries to find time to teach in the lab whenever she can. "Where there is a will there is a way".
In Julie's free time she enjoys traveling to other Countries as well as going on medical mission trips. She is not only the owner but the Chief Academic Director, Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, Distance Education Coordinator as well as the website developer and marketing. SVSTI was founded in 2018.
Bryce has been teaching since 2016 and has taught at multiple levels in high school. Bryce has taught English 1 (9th grade), Remedial 9th Grade English, Pre-AP Sophomores, ERWC 12, and British Literature. She holds a California Teaching Credential, a bachelor’s degree in English, and a master’s degree in English. She is an avid reader and loves to help students share their insights into all sorts of literature through their writing skills. Bryce is a Distance Education English Instructor. She earned her BA in English from California State University, Stanislaus and her MA in English from Southern New Hampshire University. She teaches for SVSTI part time. Bryce is also the General Education Coordinator as well as the Librarian.
My name is Linda, and I am SVSTI's Admissions Advisors, the Student Success Coordinator as well as the Computer Concepts Instructor.
I received my Bachelor of Science in Technical Management and Human Resources from DeVry University. In my spare time, I love to travel, scuba dive and participate in Renaissance Faires. I am also one of the NBSTSA Exam Proctors.
The beautiful thing about learning is, no one can take it away from you. These words from the great BB King have meant for me that education is an investment in myself I will always possess. My educational background includes a master's in human resources management from DeVry University, a BS in business from University of Phoenix, and an AS in Surgical Technology from Rochester Community and Technical College, affiliated with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. As a Certified Surgical Technologist for over 40 years, I’ve worked as an Account Manager of a Pharmaceutical company, an O.R. Materials Manager of a large Bay Area hospital, and an Office Manager for various private surgeons. I've spent many years in the operating room, scrubbing different specialties. Neurosurgery remains my favorite. Teaching is one of my passions. I’ve taught Anatomy & Physiology, Communications and various other subjects. My goal is to guide you in your studies and help you excel. In my extra time I love spending time with my grandsons, Pilates, yoga, and working on our family horse ranch.
Frances graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University in 2025. She is currently preparing for nursing boards and works at SVSTI as an administrative assistant and Psychology Instructor. Frances has a diverse healthcare background, including experience as an optometric technician, activities assistant in long-term care, and in administrative roles with hospital and ambulance companies. She is passionate about the connection between mental health and patient care, and in her free time, enjoys reading and going for scenic walks.
Sarah graduated from New England Institute of Technology in 2008 and began scrubbing at Rhode Island’s only Level I trauma center, working predominantly in various pediatric specialties.
From there, she moved to Maryland and joined the ortho/neuro team at a medical halfway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. She became lead tech and remained there until leaving to attend George Washington University, earning her master's degree in health sciences. After relocating to California, Sarah worked mostly in ortho spine surgery and spent a year as a full time Surgical Technology instructor.
Sarah is passionate about all things OR and is so excited to be on the team here at SVSTI! Sarah is also the Math Instructor as well as the Lecture and CST Prep Surgical Technology Instructor. She also aids in resume building and Professionalism classes.
More to come soon........
My name is Ron, and I joined SVSTI with 11 years of OR experience. Throughout the service to my community, I have taken leadership roles in General, Urology, GYN, and Robotic Surgery. My work in Robotic Surgery was instrumental to developing the most efficient and safe robotics program in Kaiser Diablo Service Area.
I am heavily experienced in Orthopedics, General, Urology, GYN, and Vascular. I believe in helping students achieve mastery through self-efficacy. Many students I have precepted have created successful careers, some of which work alongside me today! Instructing at SVSTI gives me the opportunity to work with and develop the most talented students in the Bay Area.
I love to travel, garden, and my academic goal is currently to obtain my BSN and develop further in the OR as a nurse!
Christian is the full time Sterile Processing Assistant Director & Coordinator as well as the SVSTI Campus Manager. He has over 7 years of experience in the field and as an educator. Christian wants to take the Surgical Technology program one day to further his knowledge and skills, he is constantly pursuing ways to improve himself to improve the program for the best possible outcome for student success. This is why he moved from a PT lab assistant to running the program now after dedicating the last few years to SVSTI's students and their journey to a new career path.
My name is Andrew Salazar. I am a certified Sterile Processing Technician. I joined SVSTI with over 5 years of experience. I have worked at Stanford Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital and now currently the Supervisor at Kaiser Permanente Stockton. I hold a HSPA certification and a CHL certification. In the next 5 years I plan on having my bachelor's degree in healthcare management as well as working in a Leadership role within the healthcare industry.
Roman Nava joined SVSTI with 8 years' experience as a certified Sterile Processing Technician. He completed his program at Cornerstone International College 2014. He has worked at UCSF for 8 years and has experience in instrumentation consisting of Orthopedics, robotics SI/XI, laparoscopes, Neurology, Rigid & Flexible endoscopes, etc. A fun fact about him is that he is passionate about Muay Thai Kickboxing and Boxing. Starting at age 11, he competed throughout his years, becoming State Champion and ranked #1 in California at age 16 fighting against a 24-year-old former champion. While Roman holds a record of 27 wins and 1 loss, He hung up his gloves in 2023 to fully focus on his medical career and now as an educator at SVSTI as a Sterile Processing Instructor.
Hi, I am Joey Tabuno, a Sterile Processing Technician with experience at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. I joined SVSTI only with a couple years of experience in the field but found a passion in teaching students at my facility. I am very passionate about sterile processing because the profession is ever-changing to improve things, whether it's new compliance with policies, procedures, industry standards, or regulations. I am both HSPA and CBSPD certified and looking into acquiring other certificates for the profession, such as CIS, CER, and CHL to have the knowledge and to help others succeed in the field.
Hi, my name is David. I’m a CST who began my journey in sterile processing. I completed my SPD Program with SVSTI as well as the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology with SVSTI. My interest in the field was sparked when I had the opportunity to observe in the operating room at my facility. An experience that immediately drew me in. Driven by a desire to grow and excel, I enrolled at SVSTI to learn and become the best in this profession. Although education wasn’t originally part of my plan, it has quickly become one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Gaining insight into both the sterilization process and intraoperative procedures has given me a well-rounded perspective, which I now enjoy sharing with future sterile processing technicians.
After serving 7 years enlisted in the U.S. Army, I took interest in the medical field and started off as a medical assistant then completed my associates in surgical technology. 8 years later I was cross trained in all specialties including neuro, vascular, orthopedics, general and ophthalmology. My passion for this career continues to grow as well as my love for teaching and helping others understand aseptic technique, anatomy and overall patient care.
She is a Surgical Technology Instructor that is Certified with NBSTSA as well as Certified in BLS. She attended Carrington College for her Certificate in Surgical Technology. She earned her associate of applied science in Surgical Technology at SVSTI. She has been a CST for 11 years and has worked for several surgery centers throughout the bay area. Suzanne's specialties include plastics, GYN and OB.
Suzanne most recently worked as a traveling tech where she soon found herself in the role of preceptor/educator for the staff new hires. She is passionate about the role of a CST which is why she has taught at SVSTI over the last several years. Suzanne understands the importance of teaching by standards and following aseptic technique, which is why she loves teaching lab and sharing her knowledge.