MCC-Maple Woods hosts Nursing Night

Nine area nursing programs lined the Campus Center Arbor Room to discuss their programs with MCC-Maple Woods students interested in pursuing healthcare careers.

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.

Join us at MCC-Maple Woods for Nursing Night!

Thinking about a career in health science or nursing? Visit MCC-Maple Woods for Nursing Night from 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Campus Center Arbor Room. Nine area nursing programs will be available to answer questions about scholarships, transfer courses, financial aid and more.

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.

MCC-Penn Valley nursing students host health fair

MCC-Penn Valley nursing students joined forces with the Kansas City Health Department to sponsor a health fair on Monday. Students shared information on diabetes, nutrition and sexually transmitted diseases. The health department performed STD screenings.

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.”