Northern Lower Regional Center News
Alpena Community College MA Students Receive Stethoscopes and Training Software
In September, 15 students from Alpena Community College received assistance to buy stethoscopes which are required as part of their medical assistant program as well as one license for each student to access "Practice Medical Office" which is a student training software program. Practice Medical Offices takes the student through interactions and tests job readiness and competencies in area such as professionalism, application of medical knowledge and privacy.
Northern Lower Regional Center Brings Health Care Career Expo
to Ogemaw County
The Northern Lower Regional Center (NLRC) partnered with Michigan Works Region 7B to bring a health care career expo to Ogemaw County this past August. Eight health care employers from Crawford, Roscommon, Ogemaw and Arenac counties were present with information on health care openings at their various agencies and hospitals. They represented area nursing homes, home health agencies, health departments as well as both Munson Healthcare Grayling and West Branch Regional hospitals. Nine colleges and universities from northern and central Michigan were also present with information on health care programs they offer. Michigan Works representatives gave positive feedback about the event and were very appreciative of the role NLRC played in planning it. Several people walked away from the event with job interviews scheduled. "AHEC was exited to open the door for collaboration between health care employers and area colleges," said NLRC Executive Director Diane Nielsen. "When an agency or hospital has a hard to fill position, they now have school contacts they can reach out to for the recruitment of new graduates."
NLRC Provides Support to Kirtland Nursing Students
Michigan AHEC's Northern Lower Regional Center was able to provide transportation assistance in the form of gas cards to 32 third semester ADN nursing students from Kirtland Community College that will be traveling to Covenant in Saginaw for OB and pediatric clinicals. NLRC was pleased to be able to support this need because it truly is a hardship for a student who has to travel a distance of approximately 80 miles one way and have to stay overnight for 4 to 5 times during their rotations. Kirtland's Director of Nursing Beth Hubbard expressed that the students were "so greatly appreciative of the gift and that they certainly have the need."
Northern Lower AHEC Staff Receive Tour of New Kirtland Health Sciences Center
Northern Lower AHEC staff were recently treated to a private tour of the new Kirtland Health Sciences Center located in Grayling, MI. In addition to receiving a tour of the new facility, the nursing director and clinical simulation coordinator were on hand to provide a personal guided tour of the new state-of-the-art simulation rooms.
"I am very impressed by Kirtland's commitment to providing a state-of-the-art health simulator center for our area's health professions students" said Kim Odorico, NLRC AHEC Program Manager. "I am looking forward to partnering with our area's high schools, as we encourage students to consider health care professions and Kirtland in their career planning."
NLRC Hires New Staff
The Northern Lower Regional Center recently welcomed two new staff members. Kimberly Odorico is the new Program Coordinator and Tanya LeMire is the new Administrative Assistant. Please join us in welcoming them to Michigan AHEC.