Serving the High Plains

Mesalands shows off allied health program

By Steve HansenStaff writer Mesalands Community College’s new Allied Health education programs are in good condition, and the college held an open house Thursday to demonstrate their success to the community and potential new students.

Visitors watched students and faculty members perform tests and examinations on human-like plastic dummies that could cough, speak, breathe and even played heartbeats, pulses and lung sounds controlled by Shannon Summers, who teaches nurses aide classes.

QCS photo: Steve Hansen

Maria Garcia of Tucumcari, a recent graduate of the Mesalands Community College phlebotomy program, demonstrates blood drawing on an artificial arm at an open house Thursday for Mesalands’ Allied Health program.

An artificial arm helped phlebotomy students demonstrate how to draw blood samples.

The dummies and other equipment, including hospital beds, were donated tothe program by Presbyterian Health Services and Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital The open house was co-sponsored by the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce.

“We wanted to welcome the community to see the equipment and meet the students,” Kim Hannah, Mesalands’ communications director, said. “We also want to encourage new students” to enter the program.

The program is entering its second year, Hannah said.

She advised new students to register as early as possible, because space is limited.

At present, the Allied Health program includes certification programs in phlebotomy, or blood drawing, and Certified Nurse’s Aide training.

Mesalands President Thomas Newsom said the Allied Health programs are part of the college’s efforts to offer programs in careers that are in high demand.

He noted that certified students are already finding employment at Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital and at the Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, as well as other locations. Trigg Hospital and convalescent homes Quail Ridge in Tucumcari and Autumn Blessings in Logan have provided clinical experience for Mesalands’ Allied Health students.

The program is financed by a $550,000 federal grant through the Skill Up Network Pathway Acceleration in Technology and Healthcare (SUN PATH), administered by Santa Fe Community College.

 
 
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