GTCC’s John Ratliff rewrites leading surgical technology textbook

“I took over something that was good,” Ratliff said of the textbook, “but the publishers were looking for someone to take it to another level.”

John Ratliff can now add published author of one of the world’s most respected surgical technology textbooks to his list of accomplishments.

When “Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice,” 9th Edition was released early this year, Ratliff’s name appeared on the cover.

The textbook has been the go-to instructional guide for surgical technology educators for decades. Ratliff, program director and associate professor of surgical technology at Guilford Technical Community College, has taught from it his entire 23-year career.

“I took over something that was good,” Ratliff said of the textbook, “but the publishers were looking for someone to take it to another level.”

For over a decade, Ratliff has reviewed textbooks making tweaks and suggestions. So, when publishing house Elsevier was looking for someone to update and improve “Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice” for its ninth edition, they reached out to Ratliff.

“Two things had to happen for me to do it,” Ratliff said of his decision to tackle the project. “I didn’t want it to be just about me. I reached out to about 10 people … I wanted to let other people write some of the chapters. I wanted to pay it forward by getting others to help. I think it made the book stronger.”

He began work on the book over two years ago and spent most all his time away from GTCC working on it.

“I started redoing all the chapters in the evenings, on weekends, anytime I could fit it in. I stopped watching as much TV,” said Ratliff, who also worked on the book while on vacation with his family.

“The publisher sent me the eighth edition manuscripts, and with very little instruction, it became my book. This is the first book of surgical technology and that is the area of my expertise.”

Ratliff researched and rewrote 10 of the book’s 36 chapters. He enlisted experts in the field to help with others, including Maggi Ortiz, a GTCC surgical technology clinical coordinator instructor.

“The people who wrote chapters submitted them back to me to make changes and then I would send them back. We had many versions; some got up to eight rewrites,” said Ratliff.

There was more than researching and writing involved to complete the refresh. 

The textbook includes approximately 1,150 full-color illustrations and clinical photos, and Ratliff updated many of the images for the new edition. He also reviewed the book for cultural accuracy and representation and made updates to the text and visuals to address gaps and improve the overall presentation.

“This textbook has become more diverse. I was very proud to make those changes,” said Ratliff. The cover even features a few GTCC students, Latisha Hamilton and Emily Kennedy.

GTCC’s surgical technology classes will begin utilizing Ratliff’s updated version of the book in the fall. Ratliff said he sought the college’s permission for his involvement with the rewrite. The book will be sold in the GTCC bookstores, but Ratliff said he will not profit from any of those sales.

In addition, Ratliff wrote a workbook to accompany the textbook. He has also completed a pocket guide and will begin work in the coming weeks on “Elsevier’s Exam Review for Surgical Technology,” 1st Edition. The pocket guide and exam review are scheduled for publication in 2027.

The book is also available for purchase on Amazon, where this description is offered: “Prepare to deliver the best patient care before, during, and after surgery with this approachable guide to surgical skills and operating room procedures. In addition to covering the content in the AST Core Curriculum, this one-of-a-kind text offers a unique mentoring approach and engaging learning features that makes even complex skills and techniques easy to understand. Written by surgical technologists, for surgical technologists.”