HEALTHCARE
As the healthcare field continues to evolve and present new employment opportunities, Rowan-Cabarrus has responded, anticipating trends and expanding healthcare education programs. By offering training in fields with the most demand, the College makes a difference for both our students and the communities we serve.
The College has launched a new physical therapist assistant (PTA) program, continues to build its occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program, and is expanding its nursing program to meet the needs of our communities.
“We all care tremendously about having educated, talented individuals caring for us and those that we love,” said Dr. Wendy Barnhardt, dean of health and education programs.
The physical therapist assistant program is the newest offering. The program received their “Candidate for Accreditation” status on November 14, 2018, which granted them permission to start the program in January 2019. The program integrates a variety of instructional methods to equip students to work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, helping patients improve mobility, relieve pain, limit disability, and promote overall wellness.
Another new program to Rowan-Cabarrus is the occupational therapy assistant program. This curriculum prepares individuals to work under the supervision of a registered/licensed occupational therapist in screening, assessing, planning, and implementing treatment and documenting progress for clients receiving occupational therapy services.
“Occupational therapy assistants help patients of all ages and with all different types of disabilities and challenges to participate in everyday life activities. They are patient, reliable and compassionate individuals,” said Amy Mahle, program chair of the OTA program.
“We all care tremendously about having educated, talented individuals caring for us and those that we love. Ensuring that our nurses are ready to excel in their chosen career is of the utmost importance.”
Dr. Wendy Barnhardt, dean of health and education programs
The College’s largest healthcare program, nursing, consists of an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and licensed practical nursing (PN). The nursing programs have a well-documented track record of success in both student performance and program recognition. The ADN program is one of only 21 programs among the 58 community colleges in North Carolina that is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, while the PN program is only one of six across the entire state – out of 39 programs – to receive accreditation.
“The prestigious nursing program supports our local healthcare industry in an important and very real way,” said Carl M. Short, Jr., chair of the Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees. “We are extremely proud of the nursing program’s excellence and the service our nurses provide to our community.”
Although start-up costs for space, faculty, curriculum development and equipment are high, the College receives no additional funding to develop new programs and must seek creative solutions. These include private philanthropic investments, including The Leon Levine Foundation’s offer of $300,000 in matching funds from the College’s Foundation for healthcare education if the Foundation’s major gifts campaign met its goal. The campaign reached its $1.2 million healthcare education goal, thanks to the generosity of numerous community members and organizations, including Novant Health and the Rowan County Commission.
“We are grateful for the support of our community partners to enable us to provide these important programs,” said President Spalding. “We are providing the best possible training to ensure that our communities enjoy the highest quality of healthcare.”