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Local Health Career Students Excell At PAHCC

Healthcare Professionals Praise Program For Hands On Learning

photo provided LtoR: Ashley Tatro, Mae Murdock, Alex Sears, and Kali Trautwein.

Monday May 31, 2010

    Every student who will graduate next month from area High Schools will be celebrating a significant milestone and accomplishment in their life and academic career.  But four young women, Mae Murdock (Shoreham), Alex Sears (Cornwall), Ashley Tatro (Bristol), and Kali Trautwein (Middlebury) will be celebrating a very special accomplishment.  These graduating seniors were also enrolled in the Health Careers Program at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center (PAHCC), a 2-year program designed to provide them with skills and experiences that have prepared them to pursue a career in a variety of health professions, according to the program instructor Rita Wells, RN, MSN.  “Health Careers is a dual enrollment program with the Community College of Vermont (CCV), meaning that students who successfully complete the 2-year curriculum at PAHCC will graduate from High School with college credits from CCV in Medical Terminology and Human Biology.  A third college course can be completed independently by the student for a potential of 9 college credits by the time they graduate high school.  In addition, the students are certified in Basic Life Support, First Aid, and have the potential to become licensed as a Nursing Assistant (LNA) by the Vermont Board of Nursing,” Ms. Wells said.  “It offers the students a tremendous start in pursuing a career in health care, and none of this would be possible without the wonderful collaboration between PAHCC and Porter Medical Center.”

    Three years ago, Porter and PAHCC resurrected the Health Careers Program in order to provide local high school students with exposure and opportunities that could lead to professional careers in the health field.  The classroom and lab component is provided at PAHCC and the hands on experiences are offered at both Porter Hospital and Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  “Our students rotate through every clinical area of the hospital, which gives them an incredible overview of various disciplines and the relationship between departments.  It provides the students an opportunity to experience what it might be like in a particular area and help them decide their path as a health professional,” Wells said.  “Thanks to the efforts of HPHRC administrator Neil Gruber; the Hospital’s administrator James Daily and Vice President for Patient Care, Pat Jannene; as well as Steve Boudah and Karen Herrmann from the Volunteer Department; our students have had doors opened to them that have provided invaluable experiences,” added Wells.

    Wells also expressed appreciation to the Hannaford Career Center and Porter Hospital board of directors for the commitment of organizational resources and the recognition of both the contributions this is making to our local youth, but also the wisdom of attracting local students to health careers.  “These young people will go off to college to become nurses, doctors, therapists, etc. and many will return to Addison County for their professional career – it is a win-win situation.”

    As part of the senior curriculum, these students also venture out of the region for exposure to national health issues.  Last month, the students traveled to Washington, D.C. where they attended a national conference on kidney disease at the National Institutes for Health, observed physical therapy sessions with returning military personnel at the Walter Reed Medical Center, and had a private meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders to discuss national health care reform.

    In addition to the four seniors who have completed the 2-year program, there are six students who will be completing their first year in June.  They are senior Brittany Thompson (MAUHS), who will be attending nursing school in the fall; and juniors Alix Bradley, Nina Edson, Lillian Hamilton, Leah Norris and Kimberly Shaw.  “Their commitment certainly showed during a recent visit to HPHRC on prom night to visit the residents in their gowns and bring them flowers,” Ms. Wells stated.  Also according to Wells, interest in this successful program is growing.  “I had nearly double the number of applicants from students wanting to enter the program next fall, than I could accept; but I encourage all students interested in a health career to keep working hard and follow their passion.  Those that couldn’t be accepted can re-apply next year.”

    "It is so incredible to live in a community where this level of collaboration exists and where everyone is focusing on what is good for our students and what is best for the future of our local, regional and national health care work force,” Wells said.  “After all, these students will be our future health care providers."

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