Academic

PTCB and PLEI Launch Exclusive Pharmacy Technician Leadership Program

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Pharmacy Leadership and Education Institute (PLEI) to introduce an exclusive leadership program tailored for pharmacy technicians. This initiative, sponsored in full by PTCB with no cost to participants, aims to elevate the professional capabilities of pharmacy technicians and foster leadership qualities essential for advancing in their careers. As the pharmacy landscape continues to evolve, PTCB recognizes the importance of empowering pharmacy technicians with leadership skills and is committed to providing a unique learning experience through this program. William Schimmel, PTCB's Executive Director & CEO, expressed excitement about this collaboration, stating, "This leadership institute is a testament to our commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession by investing in the growth and leadership potential of pharmacy technicians. We believe that by providing these opportunities at no cost to participants, we are contributing to the overall improvement of patient care and the pharmacy landscape." The partnership with PLEI aligns with PTCB's dedication to fostering excellence in pharmacy practice. Pharmacy technicians, through this program, will gain valuable insights and skills that are vital for career advancement. "PLEI is thrilled to be in partnership with PTCB and eager to share this significant step forward in leader development for pharmacy technicians," said John Grabenstein, PLEI's Chairman of the Board. "This collaboration signifies a shared commitment to advancing the profession of pharmacy and cultivating the next generation of leaders within the field."

Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos Introducing Scholarship for Healthcare Students

The esteemed Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos Scholarship for Healthcare Students announces its inaugural offering, providing a transformative opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in healthcare. Established by renowned hand surgeon Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos, this scholarship embodies a commitment to fostering the next generation of healthcare leaders. Aspiring healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds are invited to apply for this prestigious scholarship, which offers a one-time award of $1,000 to support their academic pursuits. The deadline for submissions is August 15, 2024, with the winner set to be announced on September 15, 2024. Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos, a distinguished hand surgeon with over 15 years of experience, is the visionary behind this scholarship. Dr. Manon-Matos is renowned for his unwavering dedication to patient care and his commitment to advancing healthcare education. As an esteemed educator and practitioner, Dr. Manon-Matos has left an indelible mark on the field of hand surgery, earning accolades for his contributions to teaching and clinical practice. Reflecting on the scholarship's significance, Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos emphasizes its role in nurturing future healthcare leaders. "The Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos Scholarship for Healthcare Students is more than just a financial award; it's a symbol of empowerment and opportunity," remarks Dr. Manon-Matos. The Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos Scholarship for Healthcare Students serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring healthcare professionals, offering support and recognition to those who embody excellence and dedication in their academic pursuits. With its emphasis on academic achievement, financial need, and commitment to healthcare, this scholarship represents a transformative opportunity for students to realize their full potential in the healthcare sector.

NTU Singapore Launches AI, Computing, and Data Science College

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) is launching a new college to deepen the University’s investment and efforts in artificial intelligence (AI), computing, and data science. The new college of Computing and Data Science will serve as a platform to deliver industry-relevant degree programmes that will train students to not just be comfortable but also fluent in AI. It will also accelerate interdisciplinary collaboration between computing and other disciplines in NTU Singapore. Leading these efforts at the new College is Vice President (Research) and Distinguished University Professor Luke Ong. From 1 May, the eminent computer scientist will step down from his current role as Vice-President (Research) to take on the newly created position of NTU's Vice President (AI & Digital Economy). NTU’s new College of Computing and Data Science will combine the strengths of the University’s School of Computer Science and Engineering (SCSE) with other related disciplines at NTU to form the University’s sixth academic college. The new college is expected to be home to more than 4,800 students in the new academic year that begins in August 2024. In line with the University’s commitment to lifelong learning, the college will ramp up its continuing education and training (CET) efforts in AI and computing by 30 per cent every year. It will do this by introducing new industry-relevant CET courses in AI, data science, and computing, including: Master of Science in AI, with a new specialisation in Generative AI; CET Professional Certificate in Ethical Data Science; CET Professional Certificate in Generative AI.

Medscape Education Revolutionizes Medical Education Industry

Medscape Education has just unveiled its pioneering approach to developing and delivering medical education designed to drive guaranteed reach, precision targeting, and impact during this year's Alliance 2024 Annual Conference. Following significant investment in proprietary technologies and methodologies, Medscape Education has redefined its strategies for identifying, engaging, delivering, and measuring the education it provides to clinicians with the introduction of its next-generation return-on-education guarantees. This groundbreaking approach marks a significant advancement for the entire medical education industry, perfectly aligned with the evolving needs to demonstrate impact and value of education for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and their patients. "Medscape has evolved to be both a data and impact-driven education organization. We're harnessing our evolving expertise and technologies to transform the way we deliver, measure, and even guarantee the impact of the education we provide. Not only are we guaranteeing our reach to a qualified audience of HCPs as standard practice, but our refined approach to precision targeting and insights is powering our ability to precisely target and engage those HCPs most poised to make a significant impact on patient outcomes. Coupled with our unprecedented impact guarantees – ensuring advancements in key outcomes across the stages of behavior change – the value of Medscape Education is indisputable," said Katie Lucero, PhD, Chief Impact Officer of Medscape Education. "It's increasingly crucial to demonstrate both patient impact and value. At Medscape Education, we've eagerly embraced this challenge. As the pioneering force in continuing medical education, boasting over 29 years of experience in curating trusted content for our expansive membership of healthcare professionals around the world, we are redefining the possibilities in medical education," shared Christina Hoffman, MS, Chief Strategy Officer of Medscape Education. With a membership exceeding 13 million HCPs worldwide, Medscape has amassed a wealth of data on HCP behavior across the globe. By integrating this knowledge with expertise in outcome measurements, predictive analytics, and substantial investments in technologies, Medscape is leading the industry into a new era of precision education. Focused on delivering tangible impact and improved patient outcomes, Medscape is committed to surpassing mere measurement and ensuring guaranteed results.

MedStar Health and Marymount University teamed up to enhance student learning in physical therapy

Students seeking a career in physical therapy at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., can now receive enhanced inside and outside the classroom training and possible scholarships through a new and innovative partnership with MedStar Health. "We're creating a trendsetting learning environment that is without walls. It is realistic, impacts students, is sensitive to the needs of the health care environment, and enhances an already exceptionally strong curriculum at Marymount University," said John Brickley, PT, MA, vice president, MedStar Health Physical Therapy. "This partnership will further augment the already outstanding work Marymount does to prepare physical therapy students for the new healthcare environment that has evolved post-pandemic by learning side-by-side from physical therapists and other health care specialists who are currently working in their field." Additionally, for the school year starting in the fall of 2024, MedStar Health will provide five $20,000 scholarships for students seeking a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). "We are committed to providing the finest education for our students to achieve the highest level in their careers and provide our region with the finest specialized health care providers," said Marymount's Dean of Health and Education, Pamela Slaven-Lee. "This collaboration with MedStar Health will significantly enhance our students' classroom work and draw students to the area where the population demonstrates an increased demand for physical therapy services. "The national health care worker shortage that includes physical therapists is real," said Brickley. "And down the road, patients who need physical therapy in our community will start to feel this negative trend unless we address the need now by enticing future PT students to the region with a unique curriculum and financial assistance. This partnership with Marymount will encourage large numbers of those graduating to remain in the Greater Washington, D.C. and Baltimore region and will enable MedStar Health to meet the physical therapy needs of our expanding communities. Marymount graduates will have the opportunity to move quickly into good paying and satisfying jobs in a variety of rewarding specialty areas of rehabilitation." Because of this collaboration, students will have access to MedStar Health Physical Therapy's Environment of Learning (EOL), an enrichment program that offers extensive educational workshops, seminars, physician shadowing, and specialty mentorships across a spectrum of therapy program areas.

Goodwin university stepping up to address statewide healthcare workers shortage

To help address a state shortage of healthcare workers, Goodwin University recently applied to the Connecticut Department of Public Health Board of Examiners for Nursing for approval to offer a new Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate program. The Board has accepted the application, and a hearing date is scheduled for March 20. Students in the program can earn their certificates in as few as 16 months, full time, and will be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). LPNs find work in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics and rehabilitation centers. The Goodwin program will be offered at its East Hartford campus as well as at the University of Bridgeport campus. On January 30, Dr. Michael Pardales, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Vivienne Friday, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, and Karyn Therrien, Director of the LPN program, welcomed State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) to Goodwin's East Hartford campus to tour the new educational and clinical facilities. "There is a such a wide spectrum of career opportunities in healthcare right now," explained Dr. Pardales. "The addition of the LPN program will help ensure that our academic offerings are in sync with the workforce needs." Senator Anwar, who is also a medical doctor specializing in lung diseases, critical care medicine, and occupational and environmental medicine, is co-chair of the Public Health Committee and a vocal advocate for healthcare careers in Connecticut's workforce, calling for an improved pipeline to jobs to be among the state's critical priorities for 2024. "It was a pleasure to tour Goodwin's new laboratory location and learn more about the new offerings it will provide for its students and our state," he said. "It reaffirms the school's commitment to producing trained and prepared professionals ready to meet healthcare needs in demand now more than ever. I will continue to lend my support to Goodwin and its hundreds of annual graduates who play a vital role in our communities protecting public health, and I look forward to its application being heard by the state Health Department and Nursing Board."

Learn4Life partner with Dalrada Career Institute to offer Certified Nursing Assistant Program

Leaving high school with a diploma is great, but departing with a state-approved certificate to jump start a career in healthcare is even better! Learn4Life, a network of 80+ free public high schools, has partnered with Dalrada Career Institute to offer its students an intense, month-long program to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). “It’s a rigorous program where clinical feels like an actual workday as a nurse assistant,” said Jamilyn Lopez, CTE coordinator for health science/medical technology pathways at Learn4Life. “There is such a need in healthcare that these students will have no trouble getting jobs and earning $20-30 per hour…some even with signing bonuses.” Learn4Life student Nadiel N. just earned her certificate and recalls the days spent at a senior living facility while she was in the program. “All the residents would ask for our help, and we would give them lots of attention,” she said. “On our last day, many of the residents cried because we left. That was very heartwarming.” For many, Lopez said, this is the first step in the career ladder of becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), medical assistant, bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or even a registered nurse.

The demand for qualified nurses is projected to increase faster: Report

As we begin a new year, aspiring healthcare professionals may be considering embarking on a nursing career. There is a critical need for skilled nurses in the United States, underscoring why now is the time for people passionate about helping others to consider pursuing their nursing degree in 2024. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified nurses is projected to increase faster than the need for all other professionals in the coming decade. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) points to data that shows the country will need more than 200,000 new nurses each year until 2026 to help fill new positions or replace retiring nurses. Choosing a Nursing School First, when choosing a nursing school, Silva emphasizes the importance of considering various factors such as cost, financial aid, admission rates and requirements (i.e., entrance exams) as well as program structure. For Silva, finding a program that complimented his previous healthcare experience as a medical assistant and EMT was crucial. "Getting started right away and having the ability to complete my BSN in just 18 months1 is why I chose Rasmussen," said Silva. "Whether opting for an accelerated program or a traditional route, it is essential to choose a nursing school that aligns with your individual educational goals and current lifestyle." Being Successful in Nursing School Once enrolled in nursing school, Silva shares the following tips for success: 1. Time Management is Key Success in nursing school requires effective time management. Silva advises students to carefully plan their schedules to ensure ample time for coursework, personal life, and self-care. Seeking guidance from mentors or school counselors can be beneficial for those who struggle with time management. 2. Build Relationships Establishing meaningful connections is crucial for success in nursing school. Silva recommends forging relationships with faculty members, clinical instructors, and peers. These relationships not only enhance communication with professors but also contribute to the development of social skills, networking opportunities, and better preparation for the professional nursing environment. 3. Utilize Available Resources and Instruction Take advantage of the resources provided by the nursing school, including study groups, library and learning services, and clinical experiences. Hands-on opportunities in clinicals as well as simulation labs play a vital role in gaining practical knowledge and skills necessary for a successful nursing career. "As a clinical instructor, I always encourage my students to fully immerse themselves in their clinicals—meaning don't just stand on the perimeter," expressed Silva. "Get in there and ask questions and get to know the nurses in your clinical rotation. Who is the charge nurse and what are they responsible for? What role does each person play? This knowledge won't just help you as you enter the workplace, but networking opportunities during your clinicals could also set you up for success in finding employment post-graduation." 4. Focus on the Elements of Being a Nurse Silva also emphasizes the importance of focusing on the fundamental elements of being a nurse. This includes being prepared, staying on top of homework/assignments, learning about and preparing for the NCLEX licensure exam early in your nursing school journey, and exploring whatever resources might be available both within and outside of your academic program. "As you near the end of your program, don't take your foot off the gas. Stay focused and finish strong so that you can transition into the role of a working nurse with confidence and pride." As the demand for nurses continue to rise in the U.S., people entering nursing school can make an immediate and lasting impact on the well-being of their communities. Prospective nursing students are encouraged to reflect on these tips as they embark on their educational journey in the new year. 1Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.

Virginia State University Partners with MedCerts to Enhance Educational Opportunities

Virginia State University (VSU) is pleased to announce a transformative partnership with MedCerts, a leading provider of online career training in allied healthcare and information technology. This collaboration aims to enrich educational opportunities for VSU students and residents across the Commonwealth of Virginia. A subsidiary of Stride, Inc., MedCerts’ history of industry expertise will ensure that VSU’s related programs remain current and relevant to the rapidly evolving healthcare and information technology sectors. This partnership marks a significant step in creating a seamless pathway for students to acquire specialized knowledge and skills in high-demand fields. VSU’s commitment to preparing students for success in their chosen careers is now further strengthened with access to MedCerts’ more than 35 fully online short-term training programs that can lead to credentials and certificate programs. Dr. Tia A. Minnis, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at VSU, shared her enthusiasm about the partnership: "This collaboration with MedCerts is a crucial component of our strategy to expand the VSU academic infrastructure to include industry-recognized professional certifications. It aligns perfectly with our overarching mission to provide continuous workforce development and employment readiness for our students and residents across the Commonwealth in the healthcare and information technology sectors, two fields that are pivotal to the region's economic growth." MedCerts, known for its commitment to quality education and its dedication to preparing individuals for the workforce, shares a common vision with VSU. Through this partnership, both organizations are reaffirming their commitment to educational excellence, workforce development, and enhancing career prospects for students and residents in Virginia. “The combination of VSU's academic expertise and MedCerts' industry-specific knowledge will undoubtedly benefit learners in the Commonwealth,” said Rafael Castaneda, SVP of Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Development at MedCerts. “As the healthcare and information technology sectors continue to evolve, this partnership ensures that VSU students are equipped with the skills and certifications needed to thrive in these dynamic industries.”

Dr. Alan Emamdee Scholarship for Medical Students Paves the Way for Future Psychiatric Leaders

The esteemed Dr. Alan Emamdee, a distinguished board-certified psychiatrist renowned for his compassionate approach to mental healthcare and dedication to underserved communities, proudly announces the establishment of the Dr. Alan Emamdee Scholarship for Medical Students. This one-time award of $1,000 aims to support and nurture the next generation of psychiatric leaders committed to serving vulnerable populations. Scholarship Criteria: To be eligible for the Dr. Alan Emamdee Scholarship, applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited MD or DO program in the United States, demonstrating academic excellence with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Furthermore, candidates must exhibit a strong commitment to community service and mental healthcare advocacy, sharing Dr. Emamdee's passion for serving vulnerable and underserved populations. Embodying the values of empathy, inclusiveness, and cultural awareness is essential, with the intent to pursue psychiatry as a medical specialty. Essay Prompt: In 500-750 words, applicants are encouraged to articulate their passion for psychiatry, outlining how they plan to emulate Dr. Alan Emamdee compassionate and culturally-competent approach to mental healthcare. They should elaborate on how the scholarship would enable their goals of becoming dedicated psychiatric providers focused on those most in need. Additionally, applicants are asked to describe how they embody the qualities exemplified by Dr. Emamdee's career, including academic rigor, empathy, inclusiveness, and commitment to community engagement. About Dr. Alan Emamdee: Dr. Alan Emamdee, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, graduated from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010. His psychiatric residency training at Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia laid the foundation for a career spanning over a decade. Dr. Emamdee's comprehensive psychiatric services include inpatient, outpatient, and consultative care, catering to diverse populations from geriatric patients in Brooklyn nursing homes to Native American communities in rural New Mexico. Application Details: The deadline to apply for the Dr. Alan Emamdee Scholarship is July 15, 2024. The winner will be announced on August 15, 2024.

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