The Laurel County Schools Center for Innovation (CFI) has enjoyed a significant partnership with Laurel Heights, Inc. that has existed since the founding of the school in 2015. The Allied Health Science (AHS) program of study at the CFI offers several career pathways that provide education and training that prepares students for a successful postsecondary transition to college and career.
“Mrs. Kathy Young, Executive Director of Laurel Heights, was the first healthcare leader in the region to step up and provide support to the AHS program at the CFI,” said Dr. James M. Davis, School Principal. “Students in the program have benefited from the partnership whereby they can complete Medicaid Nurse Aide (MNA) clinical practicum experiences to meet their certification eligibility requirements for the State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA) credentials,” added Davis.
“We provide education and training to prepare students for diverse careers such as Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Medical Records, OT, PT, PA, and many other allied health pathways,” remarked Chastity Vandeventer, MSN, RN, and MNA program coordinator.
“We offer students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized career-ready certification credentials as a Patient Care Technician, a Pharmacy Technician, and Medical Administrative Assistant through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA),” said Cheyne Butler, MSN, RN, and NHA Program Coordinator.
The Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) student leadership club provides students with opportunities for community service, such as leading awareness initiatives including Breast Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Colon Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Heart Disease, and Mental Health.
Students at the CFI compete annually at the Kentucky HOSA State Conference and have established themselves as a competitive force every year with numerous first, second, and other top-five rankings in various competitive categories with hundreds of students from across the state.
“We are pleased to support the HOSA club at the CFI, which is helping to prepare the next generation of healthcare providers and leaders,” said Kathy Young, Laurel Heights Executive Director.