Theresa Sorgen-Burleson, MBA, BSHA, CST
Theresa is an Associate Professor at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she serves as the Division Director of Health Services. In addition, she is the Program Director for the Surgical Technology, Central Service Technician, Health Services Associate, and Bachelor's Degree programs.
Theresa has over 25 years of experience in the surgical technology field. She began her career as a Certified Surgical Technologist in labor and delivery, and later joined Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne, where she had the unique opportunity to help build the operating rooms from the ground up—hard hat and all. She continued her tenure there for 22 years, contributing significantly to patient care and surgical services.
Shortly after Dupont Hospital opened, Theresa was invited to join the University of Saint Francis as a Clinical Instructor, marking the start of a long and dedicated journey in surgical education. Since then, she has served in a variety of roles, including Instructor, Clinical Coordinator, Program Director, and now Division Director. She currently oversees the main campus surgical technology program as well as two seperate instructional sites, serving much of the Franciscan Health organization and the Sisters of Saint Francis.
Theresa has also served as a site evaluator for ARC/STSA for the past eight years, a role she considers one of the most rewarding of her career. Through this work, she has had the opportunity to visit surgical technology programs across the country, support accreditation processes, and collaborate with fellow educators. Her passion for accreditation and commitment to helping others meet the standards of excellence in surgical technology education reflect her deep dedication to the profession and the students it serves.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Services Management, and an Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology. She is a proud Certified Surgical Technologist, dedicated to advancing the profession and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Outside of her professional life, Theresa is a self-proclaimed teen wrangler and part-time Uber driver to her two busy teenagers—never quite sure if she's headed to practice, a game, or a last-minute run to pick someone up. Her family is also a die-hard University of Michigan football fan, proudly cheering “GO BLUE!” Theresa loves collecting passport stamps and exploring new places with her husband, Steve—whether it’s a weekend getaway or a globe-trotting adventure, she’s always ready for the next journey.