Sen. McCaskill visits MCC, wants to ratchet up appeal of manufacturing careers

"We need to convince students that tech is cool, and that manufacturing is tech," said U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill at a press conference Friday morning following a roundtable discussion with educators, community leaders and manufacturing employers.

The roundtable conversation, held at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, was part of a statewide tour where Sen. McCaskill is visiting manufacturing facilities and talking to business and industry leaders about what they need to become more economically viable. McCaskill said she asked MCC to host Friday's event because she understands the important relationship between a prepared, skilled workforce and the high-quality technical education and training at MCC.

Roundtable participants included:
Claire McCaskill, U.S. Senator
Corey Dillon, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill’s Office
Clyde McQueen, Full Employment Council
Yolanda Reddix, Glennon Place, and graduate of MCC short-term training and LINCWorks
Troy Teague, Cerner
Tom Goodpasture, Pride Manufacturing, and representative of the Regional Nat'l. Tooling & Machining Assoc.
Bruce Eagleburger, Vector Tool and Engineering
Jake Chambers, Vector Tool and Engineering
Terry Akins, IBEW 124
Ron Green, Hallmark Cards
Tony Reinhart, Regional Director of Government Relations, Ford Motor Company

Participants from MCC included: Chancellor Mark James, IWI Executive Director Margaret Boyd, MCC-Business & Techonology President Debbie Goodall, MCC-Business & Technology Tech. Division Chair Penny Tepesch, Associate Vice Chancellor Tom Vansaghi, Vice Chancellor Paul Long and MCC-Maple Woods President Merna Saliman.

MCC In the News: Collaboration Works

 

On Thursday, Aug. 4, Fox 4 News ran a story on MCC regarding a new community outreach inititaive housed in the Health Science Institute. Since purchasing medical supplies can be a costly venture for many people in the Kansas City area, the Health Science Institute, along with other community partners, opened Collaboration Works, a medical supplies store that sells items like scrubs, dietary supplements, walkers, and other supplies for a reduced rate.

MCC is truly living up to its name as a community college by participating in this solution to a problem that affects so many people. In addition to providing a stellar education to people in the Kansas City area, MCC also aims to give back to the community that has kindly embraced each campus located in various parts of the city.

Collaboration Works has two locations: one inside the MCC Health Science Institute and the other in North Kansas City. The Health Science Institute location hours are are Mondays from 2 - 6 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Customers are encouraged to call ahead at 816.421.1305 to verify that the store carries what they need.

Mo. Higher Ed Commissioner visits MCC

David Russell, commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education, visited MCC last week for the first time since taking office last summer.

Commissioner David Russell and MCC leaders stop by the MCC-Longview automotive technology department as one stop on their four-campus tour of MCC.

Russell visited four of MCC's five campuses during his trip to Kansas City on Thursday. After meeting with MCC officers for briefings on a number of district-wide initiatives, the commissioner toured the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, then traveled to Longview, Business & Technology and Blue River. Time constraints prevented him from visiting MCC-Maple Woods but he received an overview of the campus during his meeting with the officers.

Russell was very complimentary of MCC throughout the day and appreciated being introduced to many of MCC's programs and initiatives, said Associate Vice Chancellor Tom Vansaghi, who hosted the commissioner's visit.

To see addition photos of the day-long whirlwind MCC tour, visit the photo album on MCC's Flickr page.

MCC co-hosts healthcare cultural competence panel

MCC is teaming up with two local nonprofit organizations this week to host a panel discussion focused on the creation of culturally competent healthcare organizations and providers throughout Greater Kansas City.

Cultural Competence Panel

The event, to be held at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, is sponsored by Harmony and supported by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Young Latino Professionals group. The panel will be held Tuesday, July 19, 5:30-7 p.m.

Panelists include Carla Gibson from REACH Foundation, Gaby Flores from Children's Mercy Hospital and Sandy McIlnay from the Health Science Institute. Darryck Dean, president of Harmony, will moderate. The event is free and open to the public; all MCC students and employees are invited to attend.

Harmony is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing appreciation for cultural diversity and eliminating intolerance. This week's panel is part of a quarterly dialogue series the organization puts on to explore various aspects of diversity and inclusion.

MCC receives state and federal grants

MCC has been awarded two grants totaling about $90,000.

One grant, from the Missouri Department of Higher Education in the amount of $25,000, is focused on default prevention. The funding will partially cover the salary and benefits of the district's default prevention coordinator who supports students throughout the lifecycle of their student loans. The grant, which runs from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, is expected to positively impact MCC’s U.S. Department of Education cohort default rate.

Another grant, from the U.S. Health and Human Resources and Services Administration in the amount of $64,114, will provide scholarships for students in need. The scholarship funds will be granted directly to economically or educationally disadvantaged nursing students at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute. Economic need is determined based on the U.S. Health and Human Services poverty table; educational need is based on factors such as being a first generation college student or a recent GED completer or having attended a high school with a low graduation rate. The grant period is July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 with possible annual renewals.

Retired Missouri Senator Visits HSI

Sandy McIlnay, director of health science at HSI, explains the value of the health resource center during a tour of HSI Wednesday with healthcare leader and former Mo. senator, Charlie Shields. 

Charlie Shields, chief operating officer at Truman Medical Center-Lakewood and former Missouri state senator, visited the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute on Wednesday to tour the facility and learn about the innovative teaching and training techniques being used there.

Shields, who worked as an executive at Heartland Health System in St. Joseph for nearly two decades during his time in the Senate, is a longtime champion of public education and healthcare causes in the State of Missouri.

In a meeting before the tour of HSI, MCC officials spoke with Shields about the potential for collaboration opportunities with TMC-Lakewood.

Penn Valley Health Science Institute to host Skills USA competition

High school students from across the country will test their expertise this summer at MCC-Penn Valley. The health education skills portion of the National Skills USA competition will be held at the Penn Valley Health Science Institute in June.

Competitions will be held June 22 and 23 in medical assisting/practical nursing, nurse assisting and dental assisting.

MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute featured in KC Star

Simulation is what makes classes at MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute a realistic experience. The program's simulation approach was recently profiled in the Kansas City Star. To read more, click here

Penn Valley welcomes KCMSD students interested in health care careers

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.

A reception to welcome HSAA students and their families was held last month in the atrium of MCC-Penn Valley’s Health Science Institute.

The HSAA is a new and unique collaboration designed to prepare urban students for success in post-secondary education and in the workforce. “The HSAA is an exciting new pathway for urban high school students who are interested in a career in health care. It also eliminates the need for these students to take remedial classes when they enter community college since their class work and testing during the HSAA will provide them with the supports necessary to be well-prepared,” says Susan Wally, president of PREP-KC. “From the early stages of designing this initiative it has been a priority for the PREP-KC team because this program, and others we’re piloting, can improve college success and meet workforce needs in Kansas City.”

HSAA students will gain hands-on experience within the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute which includes a 10,000 sq. ft. virtual hospital that contains a fully functioning operating room, an emergency room, a neonatal intensive care unit, and patient rooms.

“The Kansas City, Missouri School District (KCMSD) is pleased to be part of a collaborative effort that will provide our students with college experiences and preparation for career opportunities,” said John Covington, KCMSD superintendent. “The HSAA program will give KCMSD students a significant competitive edge when applying for future positions in the health care industry.”

“We are very excited about working with PREP-KC and the Kansas City, Missouri School District to prepare urban high school students for careers in health care,” says Sandy McIlnay, director of MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute. “Our state-of-the-art health science institute is all about hands-on learning and real-life training to prepare students so they can hit the ground running when they start working at area hospitals and medical facilities.”

A critical shortage of well-prepared nurses and allied health workers is creating challenges for local hospitals and health care facilities. HSAA is one of several programs designed to meet this health care worker shortage.

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.

MCC in the news: helping people get back to work fast

MCC was featured in a Fox 4 news story yesterday about short-term healthcare career training delivered at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute in partnership with the Full Employment Council.

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 faculty, HSI receive awards at MCCA convention

The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) honored several MCC employees last night during the awards ceremony at the annual convention, being held in St. Louis.

Sandy McIlnay, director of the Health Science Institute (HSI), was awarded the Administrative/Professional Leadership Award for demonstrating exemplary leadership in moving teaching and learning into a modern environment; and for her passion about learning and excellence.

The Health Science Institute received the Technology Innovation Award for its use of interdisciplinary training and simulation to prepare learners for real work situations, while working towards reducing the shortage in healthcare workers.

Senior Faculty Services awards were given to four long-term faculty:

Mary Simpson, MCC-Blue River – Simpson accumulated 35 years of service to the MCC system, working at several campuses along the way. Her current home is at Penn Valley as a reading instructor. She believes that each student has potential, which has been a theme of discussion at the convention this year.

Ted Dinges, MCC-Longview – Dinges has been with MCC for 29 years teaching courses in business and business law. As a matter of fact, business law has become one of the more popular courses at Longview. He has inspired innumerable students.

Janet Weaver, MCC-Maple Woods – During Weaver’s 22 years at MCC she has served students with special needs; re-entry students, single parents, misplaced homemakers, individuals with disabilities, and students with financil or academic chalenges.

Deborah Craig Claar (not present), MCC-Penn Valley – Craig Claar joined MCC in 1988 as a speech and drama instructor. She has served in both administrative and faculty governance roles. She has developed film curriculum, taught speech and communication and produced many performances.

Congratulations to all award recipients and those who work so hard to make HSI a recognized leader in healthcare training.

MCC-Penn Valley’s Health Science Institute wins Cornerstone Award

MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute won the Cornerstone Award at the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Kansas City’s annual Cornerstone Awards Luncheon on Sept. 30. Penn Valley was recognized for the investment of $26.9 million in the recently renovated state-of-the-art Health Science Institute in the Public Projects category.

The Cornerstone Awards were established to recognize companies and organizations that contribute to the growth of Kansas City’s economy. When planning for the facility, MCC commissioned the EDC to do a study on the projected economic impact of the project. The results of that study—which indicated a $610.9 million projected economic impact over the next 25 years—has been integral in MCC’s fundraising partnership development efforts over the past couple of years.

Other finalists in the Cornerstone Awards Public Projects category were: Herman and Dorothy Johnson Residence Hall at UMKC; Renovation of 1909 Zoo Building to the Tropics Exhibit; Riverfront West Heritage Trail Enhancements.

Students serving students - Continuing Professional Education, UMKC partnership

MCC’s CNA and phlebotomy students will have access to a new program that has been established by the Institute for Workforce Innovation’s Continuing Professional Education (CPE) division and UMKC’s School of Social Work. The UMKC Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program will offer paid internships for working with MCC healthcare students.

MCC students will be provided with a coach and advocate, and UMKC students will have the opportunity to gain field experience as well as earn credit towards their master’s degrees. The program was proposed by Barbara Friedmann, CPE workforce and development manager, and Elaine Spencer-Carver, director of field education at UMKC. It is being funded through a grant from Mary Kay McPhee and Bill Pfeiffer, philanthropists and long-time supporters of both MCC and UMKC.

Cynthia Cravens, class of ’12 MSW student, is the first UMKC student to participate in the program. As the semester begins, she is eager to meet her students. “It’s so new, everyone’s so excited,” said Cravens. “Everyone has such an upbeat attitude. It’s energizing.” Cravens and subsequent MSW students will be located at the Health Science Institute.

Penn Valley Health Science Institute featured on Fox 4 News!

MCC-Penn Valley's Health Science Institute was featured on Fox 4 News over the weekend. Health Reporter Meryl Lin McKean interviewed Nursing Division Chair Karen Komoroski and 2 students about current workforce demands in today's economy and high enrollments in nursing schools. 

MCC welcomes new employee

Letonia Torrence, Administrative Assistant, HSI/IWI

HSI Recognized as a Model for Performance Improvement

On top of the national recognition it received earlier this year for being an outstanding community college innovation, the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute is now also becoming known as a model for performance improvement.

The HSI – built on a philosophy that interdisciplinary, experiential learning increases student understanding and, therefore, professional effectiveness – will be featured this week at a meeting of the local chapter of the International Society for Performance Improvement. Sandy McIlnay, director of the HSI, will be the guest speaker for the event, which is part of the ISPI’s Emerging Trends in Performance Improvement series. McIlnay will discuss the development and implementation of the HSI’s revolutionary learning environment and its impact on advancing healthcare career training and education.

Emerging Trends in Performance Improvement: Healthcare
MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute
Main Lobby
Wednesday, August 4
5:30-7:00 p.m.
$5 registration fee

The event is hosted by the Health Science Institute and the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation and conducted by the Kansas City chapter of the International Society for Performance Improvement. MCC employees are invited to attend. The cost is just $5 and includes light snacks. Register for the event at www.kcispi.org. If you have questions, contact Day Boswell, MCC Business & Learning Solutions performance consultant and MCC’s representative to the KC ISPI.

Turning Lives Around: Workforce training program helps high school drop-outs achieve career success

Six young women with challenging pasts are now looking forward to bright futures, thanks to an MCC workforce training program that has given them a second chance at success.

The women, who all left their Kansas City, Mo. School District high schools before earning a diploma, are part of a drop-out recovery program operated by the school district and funded by the Full Employment Council. The program, called 21st Century, allows non-completers to take individualized courses of study to finish their required studies and earn a high school diploma. Now, the 21st Century program is extending beyond high school completion to help the students train for a career, through a partnership with MCC’s Institute for Workforce Innovation.

The six young women, who are all recent 21st Century graduates, are enrolled in a three-part training program at MCC where they will earn certifications in certified nurse assistant (CNA), level 1 medication aide and insulin administration. The group has completed the first phase of the training – earning their CNA certification – and will complete the other two certifications by August 1.

At a celebratory certification ceremony on Friday, June 18, representatives from 21st Century and MCC congratulated the students on their dedication and determination.

“This is the first step. Even if you can’t see the whole staircase yet, you’ve taken the first step so now you can go anywhere you want to go,” said Brenda Sanders, a seasoned healthcare professional who mentored the students during their CNA training.

In addition to providing a class mentor, the program also incorporated other special features to help ensure student success, including tutoring, meetings with potential employers, a clinical experience, transportation assistance and built-in individualized attention. Classes are held at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, a brand new state-of-the-art healthcare training and education center that houses training for more than 20 different healthcare careers.

The students, who have overcome significant obstacles to succeed in the training program, were very appreciative for the individualized attention of the instructor, mentor, caseworkers and MCC program coordinators.

“Thank you for believing in us,” said Sparkle Donahue, a single mother whose 3 year-old daughter tagged along to the certification ceremony. “Now I can be a role model for my kids.”