MOOREFIELD, W.Va. – Melissa Shockey, Director of Workforce Education at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College (Eastern) presented second checks of $23,937.42 to Kristie Long, Health Occupations Teacher at Hampshire HS, and Alex Cork, Principal of Tucker County HS, for both school’s EKG and Phlebotomy dual enrollment programs. High school students have enrolled in their respective high school’s dual-enrollment program with Eastern to advance progress toward a career pathway in healthcare. The EKG and Phlebotomy dual-enrollment allows student completers to increase their likelihood of acceptance into Eastern’s Nursing Program. Eastern has partnered with and previously presented checks of $13,170 to South Branch Career and Technical Center, Hampshire High School, and Tucker County High School for their C.N.A. dual-enrollment initiative. These checks were presented to strengthen the partnership and further the growth of the dual enrollment program. “I am very excited Eastern was able to offer high school student completers affordable healthcare trainings while advancing their skillset and advancement into professional healthcare careers,” said Dr. Megan Webb, Dean of Advancement and Continuing Education, “I am very rewarded by seeing these students achieve success and furthermore, support high school healthcare programs strengthen their dual enrollment opportunities for their students at Eastern.”
Eastern received the Perkins Reserve Grant, which supports the projects of community and technical colleges that provide students with either dual-enrollment programs, work-based learning for skills needed in workforce areas, or industry-recognized credentials. “This grant has afforded a wonderful opportunity to offer dual-enrollment for a much-needed area in health care. The partnership between these high schools and Eastern exemplifies the importance of higher education with positive impacts on student outcomes and a bridge to post-secondary learning,” said Melissa Shockey, Workforce Program Director, “I appreciate everyone’s support of this program and the encouragement they have provided to students to continue their health education journey.”
In response to the growing need for healthcare professionals with multiple skills, these programs are designed to give students a comprehensive suite of administrative and clinical skills. After completing the program, an aspiring healthcare professional would possess the skills required to perform multiple tasks in a complex and dynamic healthcare environment. In addition to acquiring multiple healthcare professional skills, students who complete this program would be eligible to sit for multiple National Healthcare Association certification exams.