Local Foundation continues support to allied health programs

Pictured left to right: George Fletcher, Susan Bigelow, Steve Carroll, Dr. Jon Connolly

The B.F. and Rose H. Perkins Foundation presented two gifts to the Sheridan College Foundation: $50,000 for the Nursing Program and $50,000 for the Dental Hygiene Program. On January 8, 2010, George Fletcher and Steve Carroll, board members for Perkins Foundation, presented checks to Susan Bigelow, Executive Director for SCF, and Dr. Jon Connolly, Interim President for NWCCD. The Nursing Program grant will be used to increase the use of simulators and simulation in the program. The gift to the Dental Hygiene Program will fund a portable dental chair and supporting units, purchase needed laptop computers for dental care, and addresses rising costs of supplies and equipment. Both gifts are very welcomed by the program leaders and students.

Simulation provides clinical experiences where learning can take place in a safe controlled environment. In rural communities, given the limitations of available clinical settings, simulation is the direction nursing programs are moving for added clinical rotation experiences. Additionally, local industry representatives have provided feedback that educational programs can help hospitals retain their nursing staff by preparing students better in the education setting with more “real world” experiences, critical thinking skills and the ability to multi-task. Simulation will also help us serve more students in each class. – Nursing Program Director Judith McDowell

Dental hygiene schools across the national are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of supplies and equipment. This has become an even more difficult task because of the rapidly advancing medical and dental technology, times of economic limitations, and reduced resources. The financial support from the Perkins Foundation of Sheridan will be an important part of the success of the Sheridan College Dental Hygiene Program. Through your support we will continue to faithfully serve our population and educate dental hygiene students who will be the workforce of the future for our community and surrounding areas. – Dental Hygiene Program Director Jan Dill