Western Regional Community Consortium Update

Reflecting on 2024 Pipeline Activity for WRCC                                                                                                                                              

WRCC wrapped up the West Michigan Health Careers Pipeline Program (WM HCPP) on March 18th.  This year the program included two onsite sessions providing face-to-face time with mentors and hands-on activities including: an ambulance tour, ultrasound training, and reviewing organ models. Planning for the 2025 program year has begun and will include more health simulations that represent a typical day in that health career.  

WMU Spring Health Fair 

WMU’s College of Health and Human Service’s hosted the Spring Health Fair on April 19th. This collaboration between WMU’s College of Health and Human Services and WRCC, created a day of introduction to health career educational pathways. 

The event included a presentation from Kalamazoo Community College’s (KCC) introductory Nursing program that helps to prepare students who intend to transfer from a 2-year associates degree into a 4-year undergraduate degree.  

All About Nursing  

All About Nursing was hosted at the Borgess Navigation Center on April 26th. The one-day event included rotations on Isolation Precautions and Care Nursing, Wound Care Nursing Skills, Physical Therapy Nursing, CPR Nursing Skills, and Paramedic Nurse Skills. This was a collaborative effort between WRCC Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services, GearUp, and Upward Bound.   

Academy of Health Sciences and Technology Mentoring Program 

 Innovation Central High School’s Academy of Health Sciences and Technology in Grand Rapids is offering a wonderful opportunity to mentor 11th & 12th grade high school students. The AHST Mentoring Program was designed to help prepare students interested in health, science, and technology for a career in healthcare.  

This is the 2nd year that Jayme Martin, WRCC’s Program Manager has participated in the program. Eligible mentors should be practicing or retired healthcare professionals, or health professions students. Please consider taking part in this program to help support youth interested in health careers! Visit the link below for more information about the program: https://www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/AHST. Applications are due by September 6th.