National Governors' Association Group Visits HSI

This year’s annual conference for the National Governors’ Association of State Workforce Board Chairs was held in Kansas City. In touring various sites around the metropolitan area, they made the Health Science Institute one of their stops.

The National Governors’ Association identifies priority issues and deal collectively with matters of public policy at the state and national levels. The mission of their State Workforce Board Chairs is to “to strengthen the nation's employment, training, and education systems, and collaborate with other national organizations engaged in areas of common interest.”

Over thirty representatives from around the country came for the half-day session which included a luncheon tour of HSI, a video presentation on MCC’s workforce development partnership with the Full Employment Council (FEC), and a panel discussion featuring MCC and FEC staff.

The theme for this year’s meeting was innovation with a focus on entrepreneurship as a driver for economic growth, so the conference was hosted as a collaborative effort between HSI, the Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.), the Chancellor’s office, and FEC. Chancellor Mark James and Dr. Joe Seabrooks, MCC-Penn Valley President, were also in attendance.

Penn Valley Health Science Institute hosts Skills USA competitions

The health care industry should be gaining some top-notch allied health professionals if the recent Skills USA competition is any indication. Students in the following medical programs competed in the national competition at MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute:

Dental Assisting students competed in chair-side assisting; preparation of dental materials; infection control; and emergency, laboratory and office procedures.

Medical Assisting contestants were tested on their skills in the clinical and administrative setting. They are judged on speed, the use of correct safety measures and their ability to interact personally with a patient. Skills were inclusive of general office skills, communication skills, patient education, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, terminology, instrument identification, and equipment, as well as on a variety of clinical procedures and techniques.

Nurse Assisting contestants demonstrated knowledge and abilities in CPR, and the measurement of vital signs. Contestants were also familiar with basic anatomy, communications skills, legal/ethical issues and employment skills

Practical Nursing competitors were judged on their knowledge of medical terminology, body structure and function, nutrition, medications and nursing care. They also performed job skills such as: administration of oral, subcutaneous and nasogastric medications; physical assessment; insertion of a nasogastric tube; sterile dressing change and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. At each workstation they are judged on accuracy of their skill, organization, communication and safety.

KCMSD students in CNA program featured on local newscast

MCC-Penn Valley, PREP-KC, and the Kansas City, Missouri School District recently launched the Health Sciences Accelerated Academy (HSAA). The program supports high school sophomores to not only complete high school, but also (during those three years) to complete college classes which prepare them for entry-level careers in health care, including Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training. 

Students were recently featured in a healthcare segment on Fox 4 News.

KU participates in simulation training at HSI

The Health Science Institute at MCC-Penn Valley recently participated in an exciting collaborative agreement with the University of Kansas. As part of the agreement, students enrolled in the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesist (CRNA) program participate in simulation training in the Operating Room suite.

These graduate students are registered nurses pursuing a masters program.  They participate in trainings at the HSI twice a week.  The trainings are also an opportunity for the instructor to simulate a variety of situations these students might be faced with in an OR setting. 

Mrs. Kansas shares cancer experience with nursing students

Senior students in the associate degree nursing program got a chance to hear about patient care from a breast cancer survivor. The presenter was none other than Brandi Palmer, Mrs. Kansas 2011. Palmer shared her story and how compassionate care from nurses helped ease the burden of enduring treatments.

Tammy Greathouse, nursing instructor, organized the presentation for students enrolled in RNUR 244 Adult Med-Surg III.

MCC-Penn Valley hosts Alta Vista Early College Day

About 80 students from Alta Vista Charter School visited MCC-Penn Valley on Thursday to participate in Early College Day.

Students toured MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, then came to the main campus for lunch and presentations by Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) and current early college students attending MCC-Penn Valley.


Alta Vista students participating in an Early College Program at MCC-Penn Valley share their experiences with future program participants.





All OTA graduates pass national certification exam

The 2010 graduates of the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program at MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute earned a 100 percent pass rate on the national certification exam.  The graduates averaged a passing score of 515 which is above the national average passing score of 495.  Congratulations to Amber Jenkins, Theresa Chop and all the OTA graduates!

Physical therapist assistant students pass licensure exam with 100 percent success rate!

Students in the physical therapist assistant program at MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute recently passed the license exam. What's even more amazing, all 21 students took the exam and 100 percent of them passed on the first attempt!

Congratulations to these brilliant students as well as Gwen Robertson, program coordinator and faculty members Randy Leighton and Pam Stockman!

Radiologic Technology program receives full re-accreditation status

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) recently awarded re-accreditation to the Radiologic Technology  program at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley Health Science Institute.

The re-accreditation was awarded for eight years - the maximum duration that may be awarded by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology in this category.

"Kudos to our Radiologic Technology program for receiving the full eight years of re-accreditation status," says Sandy McIlnay, Health Science Institute director.  "Excellent work from Judy Taylor, Kim Siercks and Scott Sutherland. Thank you for bringing such excellence!"

The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for the accreditation of traditional and distance delivery educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. Specialized accreditation awarded by the JRCERT offers institutions significant value by providing peer evaluation and by assuring the public of quality professional education in the radiologic sciences.

MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute instructor selected for state honor

The Missouri Health Information Management Association recently recognized Kay Folck, health information technology instructor at MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute. The organization saluted Folck as a shooting star and recognized her for contributions to the industry. To read more about this honor, click here

MCC welcomes Fonza-Thomason to HSI

The MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute (HSI) welcomes seasoned nurse educator, Dr. Marjorie Fonza-Thomason, as the newest member of the HSI team.

Since its opening, HSI has faced several challenges, which is why Chancellor Mark James brought in Dr. Fonza-Thomason as the acting director of nursing. Dr. Fonza-Thomason has a long teaching and clinical practice career with a strong background in psychiatric nursing. She has been affiliated with such institutions as UMKC, University of Illinois, McMurray College, and was a captain in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corp.

Dr. Fonza-Thomason and Margaret Boyd will work together to fulfill the Chancellor's charge of making MCC’s nursing programs the best in the state.

Nursing will accept applications postmarked on Jan. 20th

The deadline for the Associate Degree Nursing application is Jan. 20. In case the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute is closed due to expected bad weather conditions, applications that are postmarked on Jan. 20 will be accepted.

Seabrooks and Boyd oversee MCC-Penn Valley

Joe Seabrooks, president of MCC-Blue River, has been appointed interim president of Penn Valley. Seabrooks will retain his position as president of Blue River during this interim assignment with additional assistance from Blue River’s deans and leadership team. Bernard Franklin tendered his resignation as president of Penn Valley this week.

Margaret Boyd, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Innovation (IWI), has been appointed as the interim executive director of the Health Science Institute (HSI). Boyd has been charged to work with Director Sandy McIlnay to create opportunities and build bridges between allied health, nursing programs, and area health care employers. She will also retain her position with IWI.

Health Science Institute selection for simulation study featured in KC Nursing News

The KC Nursing News recently covered the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute's selection to participate in the landmark national simulation study.
The article discusses how the study's outcome could possibly changing the delivery of patient care. To read the article, click here .

MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute conducts simulation training at Iowa hospital

Members of the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute(HSI)recently traveled to Cass County Memorial Hospital(CCMH)in Atlantic, Iowa to conduct a simulation training for hospital staff.

The hospital staff connected with HSI faculty during a VHA Mid-America Nursing Executive Conference highlighting HSI's use of simulation in the clinical setting to improve critical thinking skills.

CCMH used the Sim Lab to train for two different medical situations – shoulder dystocia during a birth and complications from congestive heart failure.

MCC delivers presentation at national workforce education conference

Metropolitan Community College recently participated in the National Council for Workforce Education Conference in Washington, D.C. MCC-Penn Valley Dean of Instruction Al Dimmitt, MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute Director Sandy McIlnay and MCC Executive Director of Workforce Development Margaret Boyd delivered a presentation on “Instructional delivery based on realism and partnerships.” MCC-Penn Valley Nursing Division Chairperson Karen Komoroski gave a preview of the presentation at the Newseum, a 250,000 sq. ft. museum that focuses on five centuries of news history along with the latest technology and hands-on exhibits.

Physical therapist assistant students teach exercise to City Union Mission residents

Physical therapist assistant students at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute recently partnered with the City Union Mission Family Life Program to provide presentations on health living. Students led presentations and demonstrated proper exercise techniques to the residents. The program is planning to add an incentive program for the residents in the area of exercise as well as nutrition to be added to the other life skills training they provide.

The partnership is part of a program that the City Union Mission is planning on developing for residents that emphasizes wellness. Gwen Robertson is coordinator for the physical therapist assistant program.

MCC Hosts Freshman Legislators

MCC hosted a new kind of freshman orientation last weekend as nearly 50 newly elected state representatives and senators from Missouri and Kansas stopped at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute as part of a metro-wide tour.

The Kansas City Freshman Tour educated newly elected legislators about the Kansas City region’s importance to the overall economic well-being of both Kansas and Missouri.


The HSI visit included a panel discussion on early college and career preparation; Tracy Hall, MCC-Penn Valley associate dean of instruction, served on the panel. During welcoming remarks, MCC Board President David Disney underscored the importance of MCC’s role as the oldest and largest public institution of higher education in the Kansas City area, citing as an example the healthcare career education being delivered at the Health Science Institute.

The tour was coordinated by the Kansas City Area Development Council, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute. Other stops included the University of Kansas Medical Center, the Legends, the Kansas Speedway and Village West.

HSI continues to earn top honors

For nearly 40 years, MCC-Penn Valley has trained some of the best and brightest minds in Kansas City’s healthcare workforce. In fact, Penn Valley produces the largest number of nursing and allied health professionals in the region.

In January, the campus opened the Health Science Institute (HSI), a 170,000 sq. ft. educational facility designed with the latest healthcare technology.

A key feature of the state-of-the-art HSI is a 10,000 sq. ft. virtual hospital with a fully functioning operating room, an emergency room, a neonatal intensive care unit and patient rooms.

In the nine months since HSI opened, it has earned a number of high honors, including two recent honors for the virtual hospital. The Society of Simulation in Healthcare has awarded the accreditation in core standards and teaching/education to the virtual hospital and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has selected MCC-Penn Valley as one of only 10 schools in the country to participate in a landmark simulation study. As participants in the NCSBN study, HSI faculty will undergo extensive training in running and debriefing simulation scenarios.

“We are honored to be one of the few programs in the nation to earn these prestigious honors,” said Sandy McIlnay, director of the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute. “Simulation-based learning is one of the most innovative training methods for nursing and allied health students and professionals that ensure patient safety and quality medical care.”

HSI was also recently recognized by the Missouri Community College Association with the 2010 Technology Innovation Award.

HSI offers a number of programs to meet the healthcare worker shortage including: coding specialist, dental assistant, emergency medical technician (EMT)/paramedic, health information technology, mammography, medical transcription, nursing (ADN, LPN, CNA), occupational therapy, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy, physical therapy, radiology, sonography and surgical technology.

MCC-Penn Valley’s Health Science Institute selected as one of the 10 sites nationwide to participate in simulation study

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) recently selected MCC-Penn Valley’s Health Science Institute to participate in a groundbreaking simulation study.

“We are honored to be one of only 10 schools in the nation selected to participate in this simulation study,” says Sandy McIlnay, Director of MCC-Penn Valley’s Health Science Insitute. “Simulation offers experiential learning opportunities for nursing students to learn how to manage patients with a variety of health care needs. Simulation also ensures patient safety and promotes better preparation of new nurses.”

As participants in this landmark study, HSI will experience extensive faculty training in running and debriefing simulation scenarios.

“Participating schools will have standardized, high-quality, validated scenarios they will be using throughout the study, as well as standardized assessments of clinical competency in both the simulation and clinical settings,” says Jennifer Hayden, NCSBN research associate and simulation study project director.

The HSI's Virtual Hospital is a 10,000 sq. ft. healthcare simulation center for students studying nursing, emergency medical services, physical therapy and other healthcare disciplines.

The suite includes: six learning areas that closely mimic hospital departments that provide a clinical environment for students and professionals to practice procedures such as intubation, IV insertion, cardioversion and lung decompression with 12 computer-operated human patient simulators that mimic various patient scenarios, such as: trauma, shock, collapsed lung, chest pain, cardiac arrest, pulmonary emboli, asthmas, neurological events, obstetrical emergencies and childbirth.

NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.