After a Decade in the Operating Room, MassBay Alum Returns to Pursue his Nursing Ambitions

MassBay Community College current student and Surgical Technology alum, Danny Iagatta, on the Framingham campus, Framingham, MA, March 2025 (Photo/ MassBay Community College)

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Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (November 10, 2025) — After Danny Iagatta graduated from Foxboro High School, he wasted no time finding his path. He enrolled in MassBay Community College’s Surgical Technology certificate program, at the time a fast-paced, 11-month course that helped him land his first role at St. Elizabeth’s in Brighton. In those early days at St. Elizabeth’s, he gained experience across a variety of surgeries, refining his skills and developing a deep love for the operating room environment.

His dedication paid off when he secured a coveted position at one of Massachusetts' top hospitals, Massachusetts General Hospital. Working as a Surgical Technician, Danny found himself in the thick of complex surgeries, collaborating with top-tier surgeons, and staying on the cutting edge of healthcare technology. For the past 10 years, he thrived in this role, enjoying the thrill of the OR and the camaraderie of his team.

Yet, Danny aspired for a bigger role in healthcare. As much as he loved being a surgical technician, he felt like he had reached a plateau. He wanted to do more—to step into a role where he could have a broader impact on patient care. Nursing had always been in the back of his mind, but life had kept him busy. “If I don’t do it now,” he thought, “when am I going to do it?”

The timing couldn’t have been better. A nurse at MGH told him about MassReconnect, a new initiative offering free community college courses to qualifying Massachusetts residents. For Danny, this was the chance he had been waiting for. Though over 10 years had passed since his time at MassBay, the idea of going back didn’t feel daunting. In fact, he was excited to return to the school that had helped him kickstart his career.

In the spring of 2024, Danny sat down with academic advisor Amy Greif, and together, they mapped out a plan. With MassReconnect, he could take his prerequisite courses for free, allowing him to work fewer hours and focus more on his studies. This time, he was going after his Associate Degree in Nursing. “MassBay helped me get a clinical placement and a job before, and now, they’re helping me take the next step in my career,” Danny said.

Back in the classroom, Danny feels a sense of excitement and possibility. He’s not just a student; he’s also an experienced surgical technician, eager to share his real-world knowledge with other students. He looks forward to talking to students about the realities of working in surgical technology and helping them navigate the transition from school to the workforce.

“I'm grateful I came to MassBay the first time, and I’m even more excited to be back,” Danny says. “The support, the upgraded healthcare technology in the new Framingham building, everything just feels like the right fit. And now, thanks to MassReconnect, I can really focus on taking this next step.”

Danny is currently working at MGH and taking his prerequisite classes to enter the MassBay nursing program.

MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020, 2021, and 2023 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.