Due to the severe staffing shortages across the United States, many states have rolled back requiements of certification of Surgical Technologists for employment. Hospitals do not want to pay for travelers and are creating OTJ "solutions." Hospital Lobbyists do not want people to understand why an education in Surgical Technology matters or how it may effect them or someone they love when they go under the knife. We must create awareness in the communities we live in to advocate for the importance of this profession if we want to see change. This September, we will be doing a letter campaign during Surgical Technologist week. Please consider joining our effort and spreading awarness. What we do matters and it is our education in sterility, surgical technique and patient safety in the operating room that separtes us from anyone handing the surgeon the next instrument.