Pacesetter 2019 Issue

2019 Issue

THE MAGAZINE OF KETTERING COLLEGE

A W I N - W I N R E L AT I O N S H I P also in this issue:

A Sense of Purpose: Roy Chew Reflects on 43-Year Career at Kettering Health Network KC Giving Day and the Ripple Effect

M E S S A G E P R E S I D E N T ’ S

Before you read any further, stop for a moment and think about your connection to Kettering College.

How did you learn about the College? Who connected you to it? What, or who, connects you to Kettering College today?

In this issue of Pacesetter, you will encounter special connections among alumni, faculty, staff, students, and board members. Dr. Roy Chew, one of my own favorite connections to Kettering College, is featured here. Roy currently chairs the steering committee for our College strategic planning process. Even in retirement, his connection remains strong.

One of the most important connections at Kettering College is one that we teach about, train for, and pray for.

It is the connection between a health care professional and a patient. It happens thousands of times each day in Kettering Health Network and tens of thousands of times in the career of a Kettering College graduate. Yet, like our faculty connections with our students, each one is special — each one is sacred. Within that sacred connection, the healing ministry of Jesus Christ is extended through our students and our alumni at the bedside of a child of God.

Recently, at the tail end of a campus tour, I caught up with a group of families visiting the College.

I asked if they had enjoyed the visit to campus.

One parent responded for her daughter, saying, “Oh yes. She feels like she has found her home.”

The daughter, beaming, said, “Yes — I love it here.”

The facilities, the equipment, and the curriculum surely all contribute to creating that kind of a connection with Kettering College. But I believe that our mission — to educate students, to inspire a life of service, and to view health as harmony with God in body, mind, and spirit — rises above all of the practical attributes. Above it all is that connection experienced by patients when they encounter our alumni.

It is the experience of encountering the love of God conveyed though our faculty and staff.

Blessings to you,

Nate Brandstater, Ph.D., President

2019 Issue

THE MAGAZINE OF KETTERING COLLEGE

ON THE COVER

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A Sense of Purpose

A Win-Win Relationship

Roy Chew reflects on his 43 years of service at Kettering Health Network, including a stint as the respiratory care program chair in the 1980s and moving his way up into the highest levels of leadership at Kettering Health Network.

For more than a half century, Kettering College has been placing graduates in in-demand jobs. Over the last couple of years, the College and Kettering Health Network have strengthened their longstanding partnership to build a pipeline for job opportunities within Kettering Health Network for Kettering College graduates.

2018 KC Giving Day and the Ripple Effect During the College’s second annual KC Giving Day event, students, faculty, staff, and donors came together to support students with their generous financial gifts.

IN THIS ISSUE Program Innovations

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Partnerships

Campus Notes

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New Faces

Alumni News

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Campus Candids

Pacesetter is published by the public relations and marketing department at Kettering College for the alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students of the school.

Pacesetter Public Relations and Marketing Department Kettering College 3737 Southern Blvd.

Kettering, OH 45429 kc.edu ¡ pacesetter@kc.edu

Editor-in-Chief: Lauren Brooks Creative Director: Breana Soliday Haughton Contributing Writers: Jessica J.W. Beans, Nate Brandstater, Lauren Brooks, Ben Hotelling, Evelyn Ritzi, Leigh Wilkins Designer: Lance Matthews and Emily Matthews Project Manager: Leigh Wilkins Alumni Engagement: Ben Hotelling Photography: Lauren Brooks, Ryan Haas, Breana Soliday Haughton, AGI Studios A Sense of Purpose: All photos courtesy of Kettering Health Network Teaching Outside the Box: All photos courtesy of Taryn Talbott.

IMM Trip: All photos courtesy of Danielle Aka and Brooke Hartman.

All social media snapshots featured in this issue used with permission.

Printer: Think Patented

Kettering College, born out of Adventist faith, is a fully accredited college that offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in health science education.

Upholding Christ, the College educates students to make service a life calling and to view health as harmony with God in body, mind, and spirit. A division of Kettering Medical Center, Kettering College is located on the Kettering Medical Center campus in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio.

innovation. superior graduates. passion for service and health.

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A SENSE OF PURPOSE ROY CHEW REFLECTS ON A 4 3 -Y E A R C A R E E R AT K E T T E R I N G H E A LT H N E T WO R K Early in his career, Roy Chew knew exactly what he wanted to do: practice respiratory therapy and teach it to others. In fact, that’s what brought him to Kettering Health Network (KHN) in 1976. But by the time he retired 43 years later, Chew had served at the highest levels of leadership at KHN, including as its president.

Chew’s interest in medicine began after his freshman year of college, when he was still undecided about a major. A family friend, a radiologist, began talking 1 to him about a growing field called respiratory therapy. Chew shadowed a respiratory therapist at a local hospital for a week and loved the experience of caring for patients at the bedside. That summer, he enrolled in a hospitalbased respiratory therapy program at Temple University in his hometown of Philadelphia, then worked there after graduation. He later went to the University of Missouri to pursue a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy.

During his college years, Chew began hearing about a nationally recognized pulmonologist at Kettering Medical Center named Richard Krumholz, MD, who had started one of the first pulmonary intensive care units in the United States. Eager to challenge himself and grow professionally, Chew applied for a position at the hospital and was hired as the clinical coordinator for the respiratory therapy technician program. The job gave him opportunities to care for patients and teach students—a perfect fit for his career interests.

A MOVE TO THE COLLEGE Chew never applied for another job at Kettering Health Network. Instead, he would simply be asked to consider new roles within KHN—and he rarely said no. This trend began in 1980, when Kettering College President Winton H. Beaven asked him to serve as chairman of the school’s respiratory therapy program. Chew agreed and remained at the College for five years, including two as director of allied health programs. During that time, he spent three years in California on academic leave earning a doctorate in administration and policy analysis at Stanford University.

He also met and married his wife, Shelley, who graduated from the nursing program at Kettering College and eventually became director of nursing at Kettering Medical Center.

Chew remembers his years at Kettering College fondly. “I had amazing opportunities to work with incredibly talented colleagues at a pivotal time in my life,” Chew said. “People like Anna

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May Vaughan in nursing, Margaret Rodenburg in the chemistry department, Edith Applegate in anatomy and physiology, and President Beaven, who was probably one of the deepest thinkers I’ve ever known. They were among the most talented and deeply passionate teachers and mentors I’ve ever worked with.”

Rodenburg, now retired, recalls working closely with Chew when she led the general education department and he was responsible for the respiratory therapy department. The first word that comes to her mind when asked to describe him is fun.

“Roy and I would joke around together before meetings, and he was always very laid back,” she recalled. “He never got worked up about anything. It was just not his personality to get stressed out. I had great respect for him because he ran his department so well and really knew what he was doing. I hated to see him go.”

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“LIFE WON’T BE E A S Y, A N D Y O U R

HIS BIGGEST ROLE YET In 1984 the president of Kettering Medical Center asked him to become vice president of human resources at the hospital. For the next 15 years, Chew served in three vice president roles at the hospital. In 1999, soon after Kettering Health Network purchased Grandview Hospital in downtown Dayton, Chew was asked to take on another leadership role—his biggest yet. He would serve as president of Grandview and Southview Medical Center for the next 10 years.

CAREER WON’T BE E A S Y, B U T I F YOU HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE, IT

At the time, Grandview was in dire straits financially, and Chew recalled that many on the medical staff were highly skeptical about Kettering Health Network’s commitment to the hospital’s future.

Faced with daunting challenges, Chew was in his element, according to Dave Seidel, a long-time colleague who worked with and for Chew for much of his career at Kettering Health Network.

Seidel, an alumnus of the Kettering College respiratory care program, was vice president of clinical services during Chew’s “Grandview years.”

W I L L H E L P YO U PERSEVERE AND BE S U C C E S S F U L .”

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“Roy took on a whole slew of challenges when he got to Grandview,” said Seidel, who retired from KHN in 2015. “The hospital was losing a lot of money, and many people thought we would eventually have to close it. But Roy isn’t intimidated by anything, and he is about the most determined person I’ve ever met. He is caring, too; people are just as important to him as results.

He told people at Grandview that he might not be able to walk in their shoes, but he would walk shoulder to shoulder with them, and that’s what he did.”

Chew won over the medical staff, all of whom were osteopathic physicians. He also developed a genuine personal interest in the osteopathic philosophy, and became active in osteopathic institutions statewide and nationally. Under his leadership, Grandview and Southview reached new heights of clinical quality, receiving recognition from U.S. News & World Report, Thomson Reuters, and HealthGrades.

ON TO NEW CHALLENGES

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In 2010, Chew was asked to return to Kettering Medical Center and serve as president. There, over the next six years, he initiated the development of a Level II trauma center, a Level III newborn intensive care unit, a neurorehabilitation and balance center, and a service line growth strategy. Chew also developed plans for a new Kettering Cancer Center across the street from Kettering Medical Center and helped secure major gifts to enable its construction. In 2015, at the request of CEO Fred Manchur, he became president of Kettering Health Network — a position he held until retiring on Feb. 15, 2019.

Chew remains active with KHN in retirement, serving on the boards of the Grandview Foundation, the Kettering Medical Center Foundation, and several other local organizations.

He is also facilitating a strategic planning process for Kettering College, and is enthusiastic about contributing to the school’s continued success.

Chew attributes his own success to a sense of purpose he discerned early in his career at Kettering Health Network.

“Initially, I was drawn here because of Dr. Krumholz’s work and Kettering Health Network’s commitment to clinical excellence,” he said. “Then when I arrived, I discovered KHN’s wonderful culture, where faith is paramount in what we do. I also grew to appreciate that KHN always encouraged employees to get involved in the community. That gave me remarkable opportunities to work with a wide array of individuals and organizations in greater Dayton.”

F E A T U R E D

1 | Roy Chew teaching a clinical rotation in Kettering Medical Center’s ICU in 1977.

2 | (left to right) Fred Manchur, CEO of Kettering Health Network, Nan Whaley, mayor of Dayton, Becky Lewis, president of Grandview Medical Center, and Roy Chew, demolishing a wall during the 2018 expansion of the Grandview Medical Center emergency department. This expansion took place after the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital to help provide needed services to West Dayton.

3 | Roy Chew with Terry Burns, CFO of Kettering Medical Center, at the expansion ceremony for Soin Medical Center emergency department and its new helicopter services.

4 | Roy Chew and a colleague at the opening of the emergency department expansion at Grandview Medical Center in 2000.

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Chew said he hopes graduates of Kettering College can find a similar sense of purpose in their own careers.

“That is the number one thing to look for, the most important place to start,” he explained.

“Once you find that, everything else flows. Life won’t be easy, and your career won’t be easy, but if you have a sense of purpose, it will help you persevere and be successful.”

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Tiffany Thompson, director of nursing at Kettering Health Network, speaks to prospective students during Explore Kettering about her experience as a Kettering College graduate and how she gives back as an alum and a hiring manager at Kettering Health Network.

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K E T T E R I N G CO L L E G E & K E T T E R I N G H E A LT H N E T WO R K STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

It is no secret that the United States is facing a potential shortage of health care professionals.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care jobs will be among the fastest-growing occupations in the United States through 2026, accounting for about 2.4 million new jobs.* To address the growing need, Kettering College and Kettering Health Network (KHN) have strengthened their longstanding partnership to build a pipeline to job opportunities within KHN. The partnership benefits both organizations.

“Kettering College students are a natural fit within Kettering Health Network,” said Stephen O’Neal, vice president of patient care services and assistant chief nursing officer at KHN. “Not only are they dedicated and well-rounded students, but they already exhibit Kettering Health Network’s mission and values, which gives them a good foundation to become Kettering Health Network employees.”

As Kettering Health Network expands its services and geographic presence in southwest Ohio, the College and KHN have collaborated to maximize employment opportunities for Kettering College graduates. More than half of the College’s 2019 graduates obtained jobs within Kettering Health Network.

Ben Hotelling, director of alumni engagement and career services, works closely with Kettering Health Network to develop pathways for employing Kettering College students. This includes creating open lines of communication with KHN’s human resources department and promoting Kettering College students during leadership and hiring manager meetings.

In 2017, the two organizations began hosting an annual on-campus hiring event for graduating students. In 2019, the hiring event grew to two days to accommodate students in the sonography, radiology, nursing, and respiratory care programs.

The event allows Kettering Health Network hiring managers to reach qualified candidates and meet their growing workforce needs, all while helping students find their ideal career fit prior to graduating.

“This hiring event helps students create a plan for success,” said Emma Glass ‘19, sonography graduate. “The partnership with Kettering Health Network really sets Kettering College apart from other schools. It’s a unique advantage to have hiring managers come directly to campus and not just conduct interviews, but also offer jobs on the spot.

It demonstrates how committed Kettering Health Network is to hiring our grads.”

Tiffany Thompson ‘11 said attending Kettering College fostered her love of learning and

nurtured her calling to become a nurse.

Now, as director of nursing at Kettering Health Network, Thompson is passionate about hiring Kettering College graduates.

“As I look back, I credit so much to Kettering College and the faculty and staff who supported and encouraged me along every step of the journey,” Thompson said.

“They helped me believe that I could succeed. I’m blessed to be in a position where I can now ‘pay it forward’ to the next generation of health care professionals.”

Amy Dietz ’97, a clinical nurse manager at Kettering Health Network, said she finds it rewarding to work with students from her alma mater.

“I take great pride in helping Kettering College students grow and navigate their career paths,” she said. “It’s Kettering Health Network’s mission to improve the quality of life for people in our communities, and this includes Kettering College students. Their success is our success.”

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T U I T I O N D I S CO U N TS FO R ST U D E N TS , K H N E M P LOY E E S For many students, employment within Kettering Health Network begins well before graduation. In 2017, the College began offering a 30 percent tuition discount and $7,000 annual tuition credit for full-time students who work 20 hours a week at a KHN facility. The goal is to provide real-world experience while also reducing tuition

costs so significantly that students and their families are able to cover at least some, and potentially all of them, without a loan. Students compete for jobs and, once hired, go through the same orientation and training that other employees do. Among other roles, they work as health unit coordinators, patient transporters, and office assistants.

Kettering College

As part of its commitment to helping employees grow professionally, Kettering Health Network offers a 30 percent tuition discount at Kettering College for all benefits-eligible employees. In recent years, the number of KHN employees who enrolled in classes at Kettering College has been climbing steadily.

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CLINICAL TRAINING FOR STUDENTS Kettering Health Network is integrally involved in providing hands-on experience for students at the College. In fact, KHN offers more clinical rotations for Kettering College students than any other clinical site.

“Whether they are participating in clinicals or working part time at a Kettering Health Network facility, Kettering College students make a substantive contribution,” said Sarah Sparks ’03, a radiology manager in imaging services at KHN.

“Kettering Health Network clinical sites do a great job accommodating Kettering College students and providing them with an excellent clinical educational experience,” said Rob Hoover ’84, associate professor of radiologic sciences and imaging. “Many of the sites employ Kettering College alumni, who as preceptors have the opportunity to act as mentors to the students.”

“An eagerness to learn and perform to the highest level is evident in the Kettering College students we train in clinicals and hire after graduation,” Sparks said. “They bring a fresh outlook on health care and can oftentimes give seasoned staff a renewed joy for their job.

They play an important role in fostering a positive, healing environment for the patients we serve.”

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Healthcare Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm (April 12, 2019).

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A bo u t h a lf o f 2 0 1 9 Kett er i ng Co lle ge gra ds o bt a i ne d j o bs f ro m Ke tt er i n g H e a lt h N e t w o r k .

1 | Kettering College, on the left, sits on Kettering Medical Center’s campus, giving students close access to the hospital.

2 | Rachel Noble, a recruiter in human resources at Kettering Health Network, works with a student during a resume workshop.

3 | (left to right) Madison Brandon ‘19, nursing graduate, talks with Jessica Bennett and Missy Moore, both recruiters in human resources at Kettering Health Network.

4 | Interview rooms were set up Kettering College’s gymnasium during the hiring event.

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5 | Ben Hotelling speaks with a prospective student during an Explore Kettering event about job opportunities for students within Kettering Health Network.

6 | Jennifer Hejl ‘19, nursing graduate, sits with other students before being interviewed during the hiring event.

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Kettering College celebrated its second annual KC Giving Day on Sept. 13, 2018 with doughnuts and coffee, sandwiches, popcorn, and sweet treats. More importantly, the College celebrated with a spirit of giving among alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends.

Many thanks to the 104 KC Giving Day 2018 donors, whose gifts surpassed $63,000.

KC Giving Day and fundraising throughout the year support students through the Kettering College Fund, the Kettering College Student Assistance Fund, and the Kettering College Scholarship Fund, among others.

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The 2018 KC Giving Day theme was “The Ripple Effect.” Just as a pebble dropped into a pond creates ripples, KC Giving Day has a far-reaching impact on tomorrow’s health care professionals.

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“Receiving a scholarship not only encouraged me to finish strong in my senior year, but also strengthened my faith,” said Jasmyne Martin, a 2018 nursing graduate. “I’m a firm believer that God allows everything to happen for a reason, and I believe that God opened all the doors for me to attend and graduate from Kettering College. I can’t thank donors enough for selflessly providing the funds for me to finish my education right when I needed it.”

KC Giving Day 2019 is on Oct. 17. To learn more, visit www.kc.edu/givingday

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F E AT U R E D

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1 | Kettering College President Nate Brandstater poses with former director of Kettering Medical Center Foundation, Susan Barcas, and Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Kettering Health Network Josefer Montes, in front of Kettering College the morning of the second annual KC Giving Day.

2 | Ben Hotelling, director of career services and alumni engagement, handed out free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches to celebrate KC Giving Day.

3 | Students line up to get freshly popped popcorn during KC Giving Day.

4 | Kettering College students pose (left to right: Shelby Spain, Danielle Etter, Naomi Harney, Kristin McIntire, Lexi Martell) with free popcorn and Chick-fil-A sandwiches.

VALUE AND AFFORDABILIT Y College’s Student Loan Default Rate Is Well Below State, National Averages The 2.9 percent student loan default rate among Kettering College graduates is more than a number. It’s a reflection of the value and affordability of a Kettering College education.

The default rate refers to the percentage of a school’s borrowers who defaulted on their student loans within a three-year period. The latest numbers, from 2015, appear in a recent report published by the U.S. Department of Education listing three-year cohort student loan default rates for all domestic and foreign postsecondary schools.

Kettering College’s rate was well below the Ohio average of 12.2 percent and the national average of 10.8 percent.

“We are very proud of our low student loan default rate, which shows the value of investing in an education from Kettering College,” said Adam Brown, dean of student success. “It’s an indication that Kettering College graduates are finding jobs in their desired field and are able to repay their student loans consistently and quickly.”

KETTERING COLLEGE ENROLLMENT NUMBERS STUDENTS

ENROLLED

/

TERM

The rate also reflects Kettering College’s dedication to preparing students for life after graduation, Brown said.

500

707

807

839

722

835

825 646

775

700

759

900

300

100 0

2016 F = FALL

2017

W = WINTER

2018

In addition, Kettering College encourages students to pursue jobs in health care while enrolled in school. The College offers a 30 percent tuition discount to all students working part time in Kettering Health Network, allowing them to gain valuable work experience while making college more affordable.

Kettering College also offers loan exit counseling, in which each graduating student meets one-on-one with a financial aid counselor to discuss loans and repayment options. By teaching students about how to interpret, manage, and pay off debt, Kettering College is providing lessons in financial responsibility.

“The majority of our students use federal aid to pay for their education, and it’s our job as educators to make sure they are wellprepared to pay off their loans,” Brown explained. “It’s another benefit to being a small college: We’re able to help students make a customized plan so they’re on the right track to begin paying back their loans after graduation.”

S = SUMMER

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DIVISION OF NURSING MAKES CHANGES TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH Kettering College Division of Nursing recently made major changes to create more opportunities for students to pursue a degree.

Additional Entry Point Beginning in January 2020, the Division of Nursing will offer an additional admission entry point for students who have completed their prerequisites, allowing them to choose whether to start in the fall term or the winter term. The number of seats available for incoming students in an academic year will increase from 95 to 120.

“We recognized the growing need for more student nurses in response to the greater rate of retirement from the profession in contrast to recruitment, the aging of baby boomers, and the expansion of the scope of practice for nurses,” explains Deleise Wilson, director of the Division of Nursing. “This change will not only increase how many nursing students we enroll each year, but it will also facilitate a smaller faculty-to-student ratio and increase the flexibility of available program courses.”

Partnership with Burman University in Canada Students attending Burman University in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, can now pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Kettering College, thanks to a new partnership between the two schools. Students qualifying for the program can complete three semesters at Burman followed by two years at Kettering College.

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“This new partnership is another innovative way that we are creating unique opportunities for students to earn a health care degree,” said Nate Brandstater, president of Kettering College. “It also opens the door for these students to seek employment at Kettering Health Network in the future.”

Students must meet application requirements at both institutions, and they pay tuition to whichever institution they are attending at the time.

“Burman University is excited about this partnership,” says Loren Agrey, president of Burman University, formerly Kettering College’s dean for undergraduate academic affairs. “It is important for us to find opportunities to offer relevant degree options to students. This partnership allows us to offer a reasonable option for students looking to pursue a nursing degree.”

F E AT U R E D

1 | Students study at Burman University, an Adventist university in Alberta, Canada.

2 | Burman University students talk to a professor outside their classroom.

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3 | Students who attend Burman University who want to pursue a nursing degree start their first three semesters at Burman, then transfer to Kettering College to complete the remainder of their studies.

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T EAC H I NG OUTS I DE TH E B OX ESC A PE R OO M BR I N GS L E A R N I NG TO L I F E

Escape rooms are a popular trend in immersive entertainment. The concept is fairly simple. Players must solve a series of puzzles to unlock clues and escape from a fictitious scenario in a limited amount of time. It’s no surprise that escape rooms have become a global phenomenon: they’re collaborative, fun, and great for testing one’s critical thinking skills under pressure.

And, as one Kettering College professor discovered, an escape room also can be a valuable teaching tool.

Taryn Talbott is an associate professor and the advanced imaging clinical coordinator in Kettering College’s radiologic science and imaging department. She is always looking for unique ways to engage her students in interactive learning experiences.

So, when she sat down to plan the final review for a theory and clinical course in computed tomography (CT), she tried something new: an escape room that incorporated concepts from physics, pathology, and anatomy.

“Today’s students learn differently,” Talbott said. “This is a generation that has grown up with technology in their hands, so they don’t learn by regurgitating memorized

facts on paper; they learn by reflecting on experiences. An escape room is a perfect way to bring learning to life.”

For the final review, Talbott transformed a classroom into an escape room, complete with a countdown clock, messages written in invisible ink, clues in locked boxes, and a “laser maze” made from rope. In teams of two, the students had to draw from course lessons to complete the puzzles and determine the best way to care for a patient.

Just as in a real escape room — or a busy hospital — they had to work together under time constraints.

The goal of Talbott’s escape room was to place students in an unfamiliar environment and challenge them to apply what they learned in a simulated “real-world” setting. “It’s important for students to be able to think critically and adapt to whatever situation they’re thrown into, especially when it comes to the health care field,” Talbott explained. “Watching the students’ faces light up as they successfully solved the problems was priceless.”

Talbott’s students had an overwhelmingly positive response to the escape room.

“Not only was the escape room educational, but it

also allowed for some fun,” said Erica Cavender, who is earning a bachelor’s degree in advanced imaging. “It was a great bonding experience and provided a way to put our skills to the test other than the standard pencil and paper or an online format of testing.”

Talbott said the students walked away from the experience feeling encouraged and more confident in their ability to think quickly and clearly on their feet. She’s planning to incorporate the escape room concept into the course curriculum and develop a virtual model for students taking the course online.

An alumna of Kettering College, Talbott is working toward a doctorate in health professions education. She said her experience as a doctoral student has fostered an interest in experimenting with learning styles that resonate with the next generation of health care professionals.

“Kettering College has some of the most amazing students, and that’s what makes my job so rewarding,” Talbott said. “They are wonderful in the classroom and the hospital. They are eager to learn, reflect, and adapt, and that means they will be prepared to offer great patient care.”

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ALUMNI, STUDENTS TRAVEL TO

FOR A LIFE - CHANGING EXPERIENCE

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A team of 30 Kettering College students, faculty members, and alumni recently traveled to remote locations in Thailand, where they provided medical care to people of all ages.

The team set up clinics in an orphanage in the jungle, on a university campus, in a Buddhist temple, and on a factory lot, returning home with vivid memories and new perspectives.

The 10-day trip, which took place during spring break in March, was sponsored by the College’s International Medical Missions (IMM) program, in partnership with Kettering Health Network.

The IMM program typically sponsors two trips a year; in July 2019, a separate team traveled to Peru.

“These trips are one way Kettering College lives out its mission to make service a life calling,” said Steve Carlson, Kettering College chaplain. “Medical missions give students opportunities to use their knowledge and skills in meaningful service.”

Carlson, who organizes IMM trips, added that alumni participation is an important element of each trip. “Their involvement not only presents a wonderful opportunity to connect with their alma mater and give back in service; it also positively impacts the students, who learn as they work alongside experienced medical professionals,” he said.

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The alumni department presented grants totaling $10,000 to five of the alumni participants. Among them was Karie McGill, a 2015 graduate of the physician assistant program.

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“The experience of watching and teaching students as a clinician while remembering what it was like to be a student was surreal,” McGill said.

The Thailand trip was 2019 nursing graduate Brooke Hartman’s second with IMM. In 2017, she traveled to Peru.

“There is just a deep sense of wholeness and closeness that is experienced only on these trips,” Hartman said. “It’s not just about physical healing for others, but also inner peace and purpose are gained when we make ourselves available to these incredible medical mission opportunities that Kettering College offers. On the last night, we were at the Bamboo School Orphanage, and we worshiped with the children. There was a moment when they were ever so sweetly singing songs in English about Jesus. I felt complete gratitude and amazement that these children know him and that our stories have the privilege of intertwining.”

Anisha Mathi, a 2015 physician assistant graduate, said the highlight of the trip for her was seeing Kettering College students grow spiritually.

“These trips are helping to fulfill our mission as a Christian institution, showing and sharing Jesus’ love by living his love,” said Mathi, the trip’s clinical operations leader. “It felt great knowing we could help so many people and that it was giving the students a huge opportunity.”

Mo r e i n fo r m at i o n abo ut the IMM Pro gram, including the applic ation for 2020 trips, is availab le at www.kc.edu/ im m

“It should be the mission of every believer to be a physical extension of God’s love. In service to God’s people, we as believers evidence our true love, affection, and worship of our heavenly father. Mission field work moves Christians from our fallen state of self-centeredness to becoming more like him. This is the passion of Kettering College students and alumni.

Medical missions are life-changing opportunities.”

Shawnya Wilborne ‘02, sonography graduate and current faculty member

THE SPIRIT OF I N T E R N AT I O N A L MEDICAL MISSIONS

By D anielle Aka, 2017 Nursing Graduate

F E AT U R E D

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1 | Over 30 Kettering College students, led by Steve Carlson, Kettering College chaplain, additional faculty and alumni of Kettering College, spent 10 days in Thailand on an international medical mission trip.

2 | Kettering College students and alumni (left to right) Valeria Pineda, ‘19 nursing graduate, Macy Hulin, nursing student, Danielle Aka, ‘17 nursing graduate and OR nurse at Grandview Medical Center, and Emily Park, human biology student, take a picture with Mother Catherine, who runs The Bamboo School, one of the places where the team held a clinic and provided care.

3 | Brooke Hartman, ‘19 nursing graduate, holds a baby during a clinic at an orphanage in Thailand.

4 | Brooke Hartman provides care to a patient during a clinic in Thailand. This was Hartman’s second IMM trip.

My first IMM experience was as a Kettering College nursing student in 2016. It was exciting to find out that the College offered meaningful learning and service opportunities outside of the classroom. Now, as an alumna, I look forward to participating in these trips every year.

Medical mission work provides me with so much perspective and purpose. When the reality of nursing hits early on in your career, it can be easy to get caught up in the frustrating parts and to start losing compassion.

However, the gratitude we encounter on these trips encourages me to push through the difficult times. The care that may seem so simple to us can be life changing for those in other parts of the world who are much less fortunate and without access to health care.

There is something refreshing about watching the students experience that for the first time.

The IMM program provides health care professionals with the opportunity to mentor and teach Kettering College students valuable skills for their future careers. Each year, we have students who have never assessed a patient or even taken a blood pressure. By the time we left Thailand, students were teaching each other and sharing their experiences in ways that helped the team grow. It is always amazing to watch a group of people find common ground and purpose in serving others, and that is the spirit of the Kettering College IMM program.

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STUDENT DISCOVERS PONITZ PIPELINE’S “LIFETIME BENEFITS” Damon Bradley Jr. was already excited to be a firstyear student in the Kettering College respiratory care program. Life got even better when he met Pamela Wilson, who connected him with scholarship support and mentoring — all because he had graduated from Ponitz Career Technology Center in downtown Dayton.

Wilson coordinates the Ponitz Pipeline, an innovative partnership between Kettering College and Dayton Public Schools. Established in 2007, the program offers career and college preparation activities for students in Ponitz’s allied health program during 10th through 12th grade and after they graduate.

The students participate in Pipeline activities designed to spark interest in health care fields such as radiology, sonography, rehabilitation, surgical assistance, and nursing. Kettering College faculty and staff provide:

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• H E A LT H C A R E E R C O U N S E L I N G • M E N TO R I N G A N D S U P P O R T • C L A S S R O O M - B A S E D I N S T R U C T I O N O N TO P I C S SU CH AS I N T E RV I E W SKI L LS & F I N A N C I A L LI T E R AC Y • S C I E N C E - R E L AT E D F I E L D T R I P S • JOB SHADOWING Although Bradley didn’t participate in the Pipeline before his graduation from Ponitz in 2017, Wilson explained that he had “lifetime benefits” — including mentoring and scholarships.

Sources of Inspiration “I’m so grateful for the program, which has helped me financially by making sure I’m able to continue going to college,” Bradley said. “Ms. Wilson served as my mentor and is helping ensure my success while in school. Her mentorship is pushing me to be even better, not only as a student, but also as a growing young man in this society.”

Bradley’s decision to enroll at Kettering College was inspired by his dad, Damon Bradley Sr., who graduated from Kettering College’s respiratory care program in 2012. After witnessing his father’s positive experience in the respiratory care program, Bradley decided to follow in his footsteps.

“I watched as the Kettering College family continued to support and push my father throughout his college experience,” Bradley said. “I love how their involvement helped to secure my father’s future in the medical business,” Bradley said.

Breaking Down Barriers Some Ponitz students are faced with obstacles, such as a lack of college readiness, low academic self-esteem, and income disadvantages that prevent them from applying to college.

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SUPPORTING THE PONITZ PIPELINE

“The Ponitz Pipeline breaks down these barriers to ensure students have the tools and preparation necessary to be successful in college or their career and become the best allied health professionals they can be,” said Wilson, who in addition to being the Pipeline coordinator is an admissions counselor for the occupational therapy doctoral program at Kettering College. “We often hear students say, ‘I’m so happy to have a mentor, to have someone to talk to when I’m lost or need encouragement.’ That’s what this program is all about — eliminating barriers to students’ success in high school and beyond.”

Bradley said he hopes to support the next generation of Ponitz students while he pursues his college degree and a career in respiratory care.

“Everyone in the Ponitz Pipeline Program wants to see you succeed and is just as involved in the college experience as you are,” Bradley said. “I plan on being a speaker for the Ponitz Pipeline so I can help enlighten young high school students who want to continue their education further.”

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“ T H AT ’ S W H AT THIS PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT — E L I M I N AT I N G B A R R I E R S TO STUDENTS’ SUCCESS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND B E YO N D.”

1 | Damon Bradley Jr., respiratory care student, is just one of many students who experiences a lifetime of benefits by being involved in Ponitz Pipeline, including mentoring and scholarships.

2 | A Ponitz student poses with a pair of lungs during a lab visit to Kettering College.

3 | Damon Bradley Jr. laughs with fellow respiratory care student Victoria Faruki as they practice a procedure in the respiratory lab.

4 | A student practices using ultrasound equipment as part of the Ponitz Pipeline program.

5 | Damon Bradley Jr. works in the respiratory lab with fellow respiratory care students Dorothy Hall (left) and Victoria Faruki.

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Frank Perez, Kettering Health Network’s chief executive officer from 1992 to 2011, was a proponent of the Pipeline when it was established in 2008.

To make a gift to the Ponitz Pipeline, call 937-395-8607.

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A new fund established by Kettering Health Network’s former chief executive officer and his wife provides financial assistance to Ponitz Pipeline participants who attend Kettering College and need help with non-tuition expenses.

Awards from the Carmen and Frank Perez Fund can mean the difference between a student graduating or dropping out because of financial concerns related to paying for books, uniforms, rent, groceries, or other necessities.

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CONGR ATUL ATIONS, 2 0 1 9 G R A D U AT E S !

Kettering College conferred degrees and certificates upon 270 students at commencement ceremonies on April 22 at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. This year’s ceremony celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1969 — Kettering College’s first graduating class. The keynote speaker was Carl Wilkens, co-founder and director of World Outside My Shoes, a nonprofit educational and professional development organization.

Wilkens, who previously served in Rwanda as the head of Adventist Development and Relief Agency International, shared a message of respect, empathy, and inclusion.

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During the ceremony, Kettering College President Nate Brandstater awarded 26 associate degrees and 155 bachelor’s degrees, including 94 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

Kettering College graduated its first class from the healthcare management program, with four students receiving this degree.

Twenty-eight students graduated with the Occupational Therapy Doctorate, and 58 students graduated with the Master of Physician Assistant Studies.

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F E AT U R E D

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1 | Occupational therapy graduates Erica McGoogan (left) and Kristen Schenkelberg (right) walk into the Schuster Center after their pinning ceremony earlier in the day.

3 | Three respiratory care graduates (left to right), Donnice Alexander, Winelia Flores-Ortiz, and Amanda Foster, smile for the camera.

5 | Graduates decorate their graduation caps with inspirational messages in celebration of all their accomplishments.

7 | Occupational therapy doctoral graduates pose for a class photo before the commencement ceremony.

2 | Winelia Flores-Ortiz, a respiratory care graduate, was the 2019 George B. Nelson Award recipient.

The award recognizes an undergraduate who exemplifies the mission of Kettering College and lives out that mission as part of his or her daily life.

4 | Kristen Barone, medical sonography graduate, spoke to the 2019 graduates in her address. She reflected on her experience during an international medical mission trip to Belize and how it changed her life and perspective.

6 | Carl Wilkens was the keynote speaker for the commencement ceremony. He spoke about his time in Rwanda as the last American who stayed in the country during the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

8 | Alex Gray, a human biology graduate, lines up before the commencement ceremony at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Center.

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Kettering College Class of 1969 Celebrates 50th Graduating Anniversary 9 | Ruthie Gohl ‘69, nursing graduate and featured alumni speaker, spoke about the foundation Kettering College laid for her in her health care career. She recently started a free clinic in Battle Ground, Washington.

10 | Gohl converses with another alum during a special event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the class of 1969.

11 | Members from the graduating class of 1969 were honored during the commencement ceremony.

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KETTERING COLLEGE IPE SIMULATION CENTER TAKES PART IN MASS DISASTER EXERCISE

Containment booms sweeping the Great Miami River …

Paramedics treating a patient in cardiac arrest …

An American Red Cross shelter receiving displaced community members …

These were all part of the drama on Sept. 20, 2018, as a mass disaster simulation unfolded in Hamilton, Ohio. Kettering College played an important role in the first aid shelter, where staff from the College’s Interprofessional Education (IPE) Simulation Center provided training using a high-fidelity manikin, a lifelike model of the human body used in medical education.

More than 200 people from 50 agencies and organizations took part in the simulation, which was hosted by the Butler County local emergency planning committee. The event gave first responders and community partners an opportunity to simulate an emergency response to a catastrophic pipeline release of Jet-A kerosene into the river. Participants were tested in five operational areas: unified command; water and hazardous material response; emergency medical services; mass care sheltering; and hospital care.

personnel have to be prepared,” Smith said. “We love to support local efforts to train first responders because we want our community to have the very best care.”

The IPE Simulation Center at Kettering College provides more than 400 clinical simulations a year, mostly for students from nursing, respiratory care, physician assistant, and other programs.

Health care professionals from Kettering Health Network hospitals also take part in simulations to hone their clinical skills.

Each spring, the IPE Simulation Center presents a mass disaster simulation for the entire school. It is the center’s biggest, most logistically challenging event. As many as 200 Kettering College students take part, some playing victims and others medical personnel.

In June 2019, about 65 senior nursing students participated in a mass casualty triage and chemical exposure decontamination drill at the center with the assistance of the Kettering Health Network emergency outreach faculty.

Popcorn donated by a local movie theater was used to simulate the kerosene spill, and large containment booms collected the debris. During this phase of the exercise, first responders performed a water rescue using a manikin. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross established a simulated mass care shelter for community members displaced by the chemical spill.

In the first aid shelter, Assistant Professor Miranda Dickerson, MS, RN, simulation consultant, and Phillip Smith, EMT-P, simulation technician, used one of the College’s manikins to simulate a worker who had been overcome by vapors. The manikin was programmed to exhibit symptoms of severe hydrocarbon toxicity, which progressed to cardiac arrest. Throughout the exercise, groups of EMTs and paramedics entered the shelter, did triage, and provided medical care. After each group F E A T U R E D completed its assignment, the manikin was reset for the next group.

1 | The event simulated an emergency response to a catastrophic release of Jet-A kerosene into the river. Here, responders perform a water rescue using a manikin.

2 | Miranda Dickerson and Phillip Smith lead a simulation exercise in the first aid shelter using one of Kettering College’s high-fidelity manikins.

3 | The manikin simulated a worker who had been overcome by vapors. Groups of EMTs and paramedics provided medical care to the manikin during this simulation.

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“It is exciting to see how learners react to the manikin and the medical scenario,” said Dickerson, who is the lead instructor for nursing simulations at Kettering College. “Most are nervous but recognize that these events are a great opportunity to assess strengths and identify areas for improvement. I always tell learners, ‘This is where you want to make mistakes. If the manikin dies, I can resurrect him all day long.’”

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Afterward, participants from each operational area met to debrief, and the planning committee later published a 33-page after-action report.

“Whether it is a building collapse, explosion, chemical spill, or mass shooting, emergency medical

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When a Tornado Strikes Close to Home Tornado Relief Efforts Draw College, Network Volunteers Dayton-area residents were stunned when powerful tornadoes ripped through the region the night of May 27. The devastation was severe: Storms downed trees, destroyed hundreds of houses and apartment buildings, and knocked out power to 77,000 residents. Weather service investigators estimated that 15 tornadoes struck west central Ohio that night, and some of the hardest hit neighborhoods were in Dayton. One tornado had winds topping 140 mph; another swept across Interstate 75, leaving a trail of debris that had to be cleared with snowplows.

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Local volunteers began mobilizing immediately, providing food, water, household items, and clean-up in the days and weeks following the disaster. Among them were students, faculty, and staff from Kettering College, who teamed up with local churches and others from Kettering Health Network.

Twenty-one students from the radiologic sciences and imaging program’s class of 2020 volunteered at two disaster sites. The devastation was shocking, said radiology instructor Idamae Jenkins.

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“We were clearing debris near a hotel that had been badly damaged and realized that glass from the hotel windows had been embedded in the lawn,” Jenkins said. “Tree trunks had been ripped from the ground, and several telephone poles were down. Structures and cars were smashed. It felt like we were in another country.”

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F E AT U R E D

1 | The devastation was severe—the storms downed 1,400 trees, and destroyed hundreds of houses and apartment buildings.

Senior Stacy Haines organized the outing. “Even though we are an extremely busy group with 24 hours of clinicals and 12 hours of classes each week, we have the heart and the will to help out whenever needed,” Haines said. “We couldn’t think of any better way to spend a day out of clinicals than to help our neighbors.”

Faculty, staff, and students from the enrollment services department and occupational therapy program partnered with St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church to assemble and deliver meals in Trotwood, where tornadoes had displaced hundreds of people from their homes.

“What really breaks my heart is that some of these tornadoes affected neighborhoods where people were already struggling,” said Jonathan Blackburn, an admissions counselor at Kettering College. “These people are going to require a lot of help to get back on their feet.”

In the three weeks after the storms, about 90 volunteers from Kettering Health Network, including many from the College, helped St. Margaret’s to prepare and deliver 6,500 meals.

“The seemingly simple meals were huge for families who lost everything or were living without water and power to their homes,” said Courtney Haas, missions coordinator at Kettering Health Network. “The groups and individuals from Kettering College who took part in this initiative were a great support.”

2 | Jonathan Blackburn, an admissions counselor at Kettering College, helps pack meals to hand out to those affected by the Memorial Day weekend tornadoes.

3 | The enrollment services department and student life team partnered with Kettering Health Network missions department to pack meals one afternoon to help provide meals to those in need.

KETTERING COLLEGE CELEBRATES 11TH ANNUAL

SPRING INTO HEALTH 5K On April 7, Kettering College hosted the 11th annual Spring into Health 5K. With more than 400 runners and walkers, the event raised $10,000 for Good Neighbor House, a nonprofit organization providing food pantry services, clothing, and household items to individuals and families in the Dayton region.

Students in the physician assistant (PA) program have been the primary organizers of the event, encouraging healthy living through the 5K and wellness fair. Twentyfive percent of the proceeds go toward the Physician Assistant Student Professional Development Fund. This year, they added a silent auction.

“The Spring into Health 5K is a perfect representation of our dedication to our community,” said Connor Wolfe, PA class president. “It was incredible to see over 400 community members register to run, engage

in friendly bidding wars at our silent auction, and spend time with family at our Wellness and Fun Fair.”

Students, parents, children, and community members participated in the fair under sunny skies and a few puffy clouds. David Nelson, director of construction management at Kettering Health Network, won the race again this year with a time of 16:22, with Daniel Siebenaller, a 2019 PA graduate, following close behind. The top three finishers in each age group received awards.

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Over the past 11 years, the Spring into Health 5K event has raised $98,000, more than $75,000 of which has been donated to Good Neighbor House.

“No matter how Good Neighbor House chooses to allocate those funds, we know the donation is in good hands and will positively benefit many of our neighbors,” Wolfe said.

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F E AT U R E D

1 | Over 400 runners and walkers participated in Kettering College’s annual Spring into Health 5K event.

2 | The 5K event is pet friendly!

3 | Volunteers help runners register and get their packets before the 5K.

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THE 2 0 2 0 S P R I NG I NTO H E ALT H 5K I S ON AP RI L 5.

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NEW GRA D N I GHT AT THE DAY TON DRAGO N’ S GAM E 2 3

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F E AT U R E D

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1 | Throwing out the first pitch was Winelia Flores-Ortiz ‘19, respiratory care, this year’s recipient of the Kettering College George B. Nelson Award (see page 17 for details).

2 | Winelia FloresOrtiz poses with a Dayton Dragons baseball player, as well as Gem and Heater—the Dayton Dragons’ mascots.

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3 | Ben Hotelling, director of alumni engagement and career services, put this event together to give recent graduates the opportunity to meet with Kettering College administration and Kettering Health Network executives, and celebrate their accomplishment of graduating.

4 | Nicholas Henson, director of finance and administration, laughs with a recent graduate at the Dayton Dragons game.

GIVING BACK TO OUR ALUMNI

By Ben Hotelling, Director of Alumni Engagement and Career Services

This year, we have been looking for new ways to engage with you and create a culture of giving back that is mutually beneficial. When I talk to alumni about “giving back” to Kettering College, the conversation is always in the context of supporting Kettering College’s mission — to make service a life calling and to view health as harmony with God in body, mind, and spirit. I trust that each of you has benefited from our institutional mission. I sincerely pray that your Kettering College education has provided you with a foundation to serve compassionately and change lives in your own families and the communities in which you serve.

Because you are family, I am committed to ensuring that Kettering College gives back to you too, by

finding meaningful ways to strengthen your bond with Kettering College. I believe we can do better in creating opportunities to enrich your lives.

This year, through our partnership with the Kettering Health Network, we are proud to offer all our alumni discounts and corporate rates through Abenity. Abenity has over 302,000 current offers across 10,000 cities. These discounts can be found at restaurants, zoos, movie theaters, car rental companies, hotels, and many other organizations. To learn more and sign up for your members-only benefits, visit kc.edu/alumni.

In addition, this year we rolled out a new alumni website, full of new content, at kc.edu/alumni.

As a part of this rollout, we included a survey to assess the best way for us to engage with each of you. Based on these survey results, I am working to create new ways to better serve you.

One of the most significant ways to impact students at Kettering College is to participate in our third annual KC Giving Day — Oct. 15, 2019. Giving Day raises money to support students through scholarships.

To give, visit kc.edu/givingday.

Lastly, don’t forget to stay up to date with what’s happening with alumni and student life at Kettering College. You can follow Kettering College on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I’ve created a Facebook page for alumni, too. These online platforms are a great way for you to stay connected with your alma mater and communicate with us as well.

We view you as a part of our family.

You always have Kettering College’s support, prayers, and respect.

Ben Hotelling Steps into New Role, Serving Students & Alumni Ben Hotelling was named the director of alumni engagement in Fall 2018. For the last two years, Hotelling has served as the director of career services — a role he continues to hold.

“I believe that by combining our career services and alumni engagement departments, we will create a greater sense of community for our graduates,” said Adam Brown, dean of student success. “Ben’s expertise and talent for connecting with people will help facilitate meaningful connections and relationships as well as creating a comprehensive career development plan and mentorship of our students involving alumni and potential employers.”

Hotelling previously held several other roles within Kettering College and Kettering Health

Network. In 2012, he was an admissions counselor at the College, then moved to Kettering Health Network’s human resources department as a network recruiter. After that appointment, he transitioned to Fort Hamilton Hospital, where he was a manager of business development, working with physicians and hospital leaders to grow services.

Hotelling acknowledged the work of former alumni director Teresa Simmons to build relationships with alumni.

“Teresa built such strong relationships,” he said. “I am excited for the opportunity to connect with our alumni and find ways to enrich their engagement with the Kettering College community.”

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As the director of alumni engagement at Kettering College, I want you to feel connected to your alma mater and the Kettering College family no matter where you find yourself in life.

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Ruth Gohl ’69 (nursing) works at a free clinic she started in Battle Ground, Washington.

Kimberli Eddy ’02 (radiology) is a travel X-ray/CT technician with Aureus Medical Group.

Amanda McNeese Zemmer ’02 (nursing) is a geriatric clinical nurse specialist at Miami Valley Hospital and lives in Kettering, Ohio.

1970s Gary Baker ’77 (nursing) retired as a certified registered nurse anesthetist and lives in Westerville, Ohio. He has three sons, Eric, Ryan, and Jason.

Sheila Baker ’78 (nursing) moved from Orlando, Florida, to Valrico, Florida.

Patty Brewer ’79 (nursing) lives in Dayton, Ohio.

Stephanie Van Meeveren ’08 (human biology) is a research program manager in the psychiatry department at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine.

2010s Chris Lanham ’10 (radiology) is a lead radiologic technologist in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

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Lacey Takhtay ’11 (nursing) is a family nurse practitioner at Cleveland Clinic.

Wendy Campbell ’81 (medical technology) retired from Kettering Medical Center’s blood bank.

Rachel Demeter ’11 (nursing) is a clinical case manager living in Columbus, Ohio. She has two children, Henry and Isla.

Elaina Truster ’12 (nursing) works in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at Kettering Medical Center. She and her husband, Cody, have two children, Caroline and Charlie.

1990s Debra Hoium ’94 (nursing) is a clinical nurse manager and lives in Mankato, Minnesota.

Rebecca Daily ’13 (radiology) is a sonographer at Miami Valley Hospital. She and her husband, James, were married in 2015.

Scott Hale ’13 (nursing) is a stroke program coordinator with Kettering Health Network. He previously was a staff nurse in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit.

Kendra Lucas ’13 (human biology) lives in West Carrollton, Ohio.

Kirstin Cross ’14 (nursing) is a perioperative nurse educator at Dayton Children’s Hospital.

She lives in Dayton, Ohio, with her husband, Kyle.

Erica Larranaga ’15 (sonography) moved from Kettering, Ohio, to Carmel, Indiana.

Ali Nickley ’15 (advanced imaging) is a CT technologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Kimberly Banks ’16 (nursing) is the pre-nursing instructor at Greentree Health Science Academy and lives in Middletown, Ohio.

Amy Waters ’17 (nursing) is studying to becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Lincoln Memorial University.

Margaret Smith Gentry ’18 (nursing) lives in Batavia, Ohio.

She was married in 2018.

Rachel Mack ’16, ’18 (human biology, physician assistant) lives in Maryland and is working in urgent care and primary care.

Ashley McIver ’18 (nursing) and her husband, Joseph, were married in August 2018.

Zoe Ting ’18 (nursing) lives in Dayton, Ohio, and is a clinical care coordinator at Sycamore Medical Center in Miamisburg, Ohio.

Winelia Flores-Ortiz ’19 (respiratory care) is a respiratory therapist at Sycamore Medical Center in Miamisburg, Ohio.

To submit your news for Class Notes, email alumni@kc.edu.

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ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET CONNECTS DONORS AND STUDENTS

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Kettering College awarded scholarships totalling $223,500 to 65 students at its annual Scholarship Banquet, held on March 26, 2019. Prior to dinner and a formal program, donors and scholarship recipients met and mingled at a reception.

Among the students recognized at the event was 2019 nursing graduate Joshua Hemmelgarn, who received the Carolyn Wheeker Scholarship, the Preble County Youth Foundation Scholarship, and the Dayton Business Club Education Foundation Scholarship.

“Receiving these scholarships meant a lot to me, as they not only help support me financially, but also demonstrate the commitment that our community has in raising up future health care providers,” said Hemmelgarn, who is now a nurse in the intensive care unit at Grandview Medical Center in Dayton. “These scholarships are, in a way, confirmation of my calling to serve the Dayton community as a nurse.”

Larry Beneke, a longtime donor, former faculty member, and current staff member, said he feels called to support students through scholarships. In 2007 he founded the Diane C. Beneke Scholarship in honor of his late wife. This year, he donated funds to start an endowed radiologic sciences and imaging scholarship. “The sustaining experiences and friendships formed at Kettering College motivated me to donate so that others can find a worthwhile career in a faith-based organization,” said Beneke.

“ T H E S U S TA I N I N G EXPERIENCES

Since retiring as chair of Kettering College’s radiologic technology department, Beneke has continued to help students as a part-time advisor. “I feel so honored to be part of this dynamic organization driven by my fellow employees and friends,” Beneke said.“My hope is that alumni look back on their experiences and feel encouraged to help current students as they pursue careers in health care.”

AND FRIENDSHIPS F O R M E D AT K E T T E R I N G COLLEGE MOT IVAT E D

Kettering Medical Center Foundation is the fundraising arm of Kettering College, and partners with donors, alumni, faculty, and staff to grow the scholarship program and ensure that cost is not a barrier to pursuing a Kettering College degree.

M E TO D ONAT E S O T HAT OT H E R S C A N F I N D

“We are blessed to partner with passionate donors who want to make a difference for Kettering College, whether that’s through unrestricted gifts at KC Giving Day, gifts to support capital needs, or through a named scholarship,” said Erin Culp, director of philanthropy at Kettering Medical Center Foundation. “It is a joy to make it all happen.”

A WORT HWHILE C A RE E R I N A FA I T H - B AS E D O R G A N I Z AT I O N .”

For information about scholarship giving opportunities, contact Kettering Medical Center Foundation at 937-395-8607 or online at kc.edu/giving.

F E AT U R E D

1 | Nate Brandstater, president of Kettering College, laughs with former program chair for radiologic sciences and imaging and current staff member Larry Beneke.

2 | Desiree Blanton, a nursing student, with Louis Caruso, a scholarship donor, during the scholarship banquet.

3 | Amanda Pinkerton, a radiology student, listens with Wally Sackett, president of Kettering Medical Center, as his wife, Julie, clinical research coordinator at Kettering Health Network, looks on.

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4 | Deborah Kim, human biology student, talks with Joan Ulloth, associate professor in the Division of Nursing during the dinner portion of the scholarship banquet.

5 | Amanda Burtis, a nursing student, spoke during the scholarship banquet about how the scholarships she received helped her through school financially.

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Ashley Barnett

Loren Barnhurst

Diane Bartram

assistant professor, nursing

professor, chemistry

executive assistant to the president

Prior to coming to Kettering College, Ashley Barnett worked as a clinical care coordinator and charge nurse at Soin Medical Center in Beavercreek, Ohio. She chose to come work at Kettering College because of her passion for teaching.

She received her master’s degree in nursing education from Wright State University.

Loren Barnhurst came to Kettering College for the opportunity to be part of a small program where he can focus on student success and new educational ideas. Now part of the growing human biology program, he previously taught chemistry at Southern Adventist University for 17 years. He and his wife, Becca, have one daughter. In his free time, Barnhurst enjoys outdoor activities such as disc golf, hiking, and watersports.

Diane Bartram was the executive assistant to the president of Kettering Medical Center before working at Kettering College. Having been an educator for many years, Bartram has a passion for education and working with students. She has one son, Taylor Bartram, an assistant chaplain at the College in 2017.

Megan Bonk

Julienne Caldwell

Rafael Canizales

Helen Carey

assistant professor & student health coordinator, physician assistant

workstation administrator

academic dean for student affairs

director of clinical education & associate professor, physical therapy

Megan Bonk first came to Kettering College as an undergraduate student in human biology, then earned her master’s in the physician assistant program. She says she appreciates that she can blend her love of health and practicing medicine with teaching those interested in becoming physician assistants. Megan says the College as a whole and the team she works with are clearly passionate about helping students gain the most from their education to further their careers—that meant a lot to her as a student and now, as a faculty member. Megan and her husband, Edward, live in Dayton, Ohio.

Prior to working at Kettering College, Julienne Caldwell worked for four years on the iSupport team at Kettering Health Network. Caldwell says her interest in information technology predates the Internet and personal computers. She and her husband, Rick, have been married 32 years.

She has one stepson.

Before working at Kettering College, Rafael Canizales was the executive director of the faculty of graduate studies at Loma Linda University.

Canizales says he chose to work at Kettering College for the opportunity to help the College grow, to accomplish new goals, and to work in an environment where he can serve the Lord. He and his wife, Marlene, have three children.

Helen Carey says that as a teenager, she volunteered at various camps for children with special needs and became fascinated with their challenges and potential. Early in her career, she discovered the power of education, training, and mentorship. She says her experience as a residency director allowed her to develop her teaching and mentoring skills, which prepared her to help develop the physical therapy program at Kettering College. She has two children. She enjoys being involved in the American Physical Therapy Association and traveling to conferences.

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Matt Doucette

Chioma Lindo

Jeanette Little

Hannah Myhre-Gaskill

IT support specialist

assistant professor, occupational therapy

graduate chair, nursing

administrative coordinator for student success

Matthew Doucette says he derives fulfillment from ensuring that higher education runs smoothly in this age of information. He says he’s always enjoyed working with computers and having customer service interactions.

Prior to teaching at Kettering College, Chioma Lindo was an occupational therapist at Grandview Medical Center. Her interest in teaching happened after many years as a practitioner.

She says the importance of education resonated with her as she recognized it as a catalyst for change. Lindo and her husband, Troy, have two children.

Jeanette Little previously worked as the administrative director of nursing at Kettering Health Network. Little was introduced to health care as a medic in the U.S. Air Force. She says she chose to work at Kettering College to support professional practice and quality care.

Little and her husband, Randy, have been married for 29 years and have two children.

Prior to working at Kettering College, Hannah Myhre-Gaskill was a development coordinator for the Kettering Medical Center Foundation. She says she’s rewarded by the work the student success team does and loves the opportunities to connect with students, staff, and faculty. Myhre-Gaskill’s husband, Jonathan, is a resident physician with Kettering Health Network. In her free time, Myhre-Gaskill enjoys singing and traveling.

John Nunes

Valerie Pequignot

Ashley Snow

Cory Wetterlin

professor, business

office assistant, physician assistant program

assistant professor, physical therapy

assistant professor of religion

Prior to coming to Kettering College, John Nunes spent four years as chair for the department of business and economics at Pacific Union College.

He says his desire to work in health care and connect the mission of a higher education institution to career outcomes brought him to Kettering College.

Nunes and his wife, Berenice, have three children and two grandchildren.

Valerie Pequignot says she chose to work at Kettering College because she believes education is life changing.

She previously was the office coordinator at Kettering Physician Network Pediatrics. Pequignot has one daughter, Chelsea.

Ashley Snow says she came to Kettering College to assist in advancing education in physical therapy. As Kettering College was developing a doctoral program for physical therapy, Snow took an interest because the values and mission of the College align with her personal goals and values. Snow’s husband, Patrick, is a coordinator for quality assurance and testing at Kettering Health Network.

They have two children.

Cory Wetterlin came to work for Kettering College for the opportunity to engage a faith/life integration in the medical field. He says the holistic focus of Kettering College’s mission for health care of mind, body, and soul meets his passion. Wetterlin recently earned his doctorate in religion from Andrews University. Previously a youth pastor, he pursued an educational career, hoping to encourage students integrate faith into the rest of their lives. Wetterlin and his wife, Laura, have one daughter. In his free time, he enjoys golf, painting, and playing music.

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NOTEWORTHY MOVES

Jessica Beans is the associate dean for enrollment and communication. She was previously the director of public relations and marketing. She assists in the development and implementation of the strategic enrollment plan for the College and the coordination of efforts between the admissions department and public relations and marketing.

Bev McLean, an associate professor in the Division of Nursing, is the new nursing program coordinator in Kettering College’s Interprofessional Education (IPE) Simulation Center. She oversees the center and works with nursing faculty to incorporate simulation-based learning experiences into the nursing curriculum.

Adam Brown is now the dean of student success; he was previously the associate dean for enrollment management. He serves as the chief enrollment officer and the dean of students. He leads the campus in strategic enrollment planning and management.

He also leads the campus in retention and student success planning and implementation.

Lauren Brooks is the director of public relations and marketing. She previously was a communication specialist at the College. She is responsible for institutional public relations and marketing strategies, enrollment marketing campaigns and managing Kettering College’s website and social media.

Shanese Higgins is the interim program director for occupational therapy program and the diversity and inclusion officer for Kettering College. As interim program director, she manages the occupational therapy program’s planning, budgeting, hiring, accreditation, and professional development.

Phillip Smith is now the IPE Simulation Center coordinator. He is responsible for managing the operation of the IPE Simulation Center by delivering high-quality medical simulations to help educators develop confident and skilled health care professionals.

Ben Hotelling is the director of alumni engagement and career services, working to create comprehensive career development plans and mentorship for students involving alumni and potential employers.

Alisa French is the program director for respiratory care, working with faculty to achieve departmental goals, advance the curriculum, assess outcomes, maintain accreditation, and attract excellent students, staff, and faculty.

Mindi Collins is now a project coordinator for student success. She was previously the executive assistant to the president. She is responsible for coordinating specific projects involving process improvement and new initiatives for the Student Success department, primarily, and the institution.

Moves to Kettering Health Network

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Victor Brown, former dean for enrollment and student life, is now a human resources talent strategist in the Kettering Health Network.

Eric Gayheart, former workstation engineer and domain administrator at Kettering College, is now a security analyst in IS information security at Kettering Health Network.

Brandon Taylor, former information technology support specialist at Kettering College, is now an applications system analyst in information systems business patient care at Kettering Health Network.

Josefer Montes, former dean for undergraduate academic affairs, is now the vice president for network marketing and communication, as well as the officer for diversity and inclusion in the Kettering Health Network.

Retirements

Ruth Abbott retired as dean for academic affairs.

Donna Moore retired as an associate professor in the Division of Nursing and director of IPE Simulation Center.

SOCIAL MEDIA SNAPS H O T S

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F E AT U R E D

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1 | Myron Edmonds, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor from Cleveland, speaks to students during the March 2019 assembly on the value of community.

2 | Members of Lambda Chi Delta, a women’s Bible study group, celebrate autumn with an excursion to a pumpkin patch.

3 | To celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Kettering College community members participated in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. memorial march in downtown Dayton.

4 | Occupational therapy doctoral graduates at their pinning ceremony, from left: Heather Lynn, Jourdan Lyons, Tanner McClellan, and Emily Rodriguez.

5 K C H E C K P R E S E N TAT I O N : The 11th annual Spring into Health 5K in April attracted more than 400 runners and walkers and raised more than $10,000 for Good Neighbor House and the Physician Assistant Student Professional Development Fund. Here, physician assistant students present a check to Sarina Tacovic, a development specialist at the Good Neighbor House.

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5 | Kenyon Graves ‘19, occupational therapy, and Laurant Panggabean, an occupational therapy student, discuss their research during the OT program’s poster presentations.

6 | At the Winter Convocation, Kettering College administrators perform the song “Stand By Me.” From left: Nate Brandstater, president of Kettering College; Hannah Myhre-Gaskill, administrative coordinator for student success; Jessica Beans, associate dean for enrollment and communication; Robert Patterson, former corporate compliance officer for Kettering Health Network; and Russ Wetherell, interim president of Kettering Medical Center Foundation.

7 | Sonography graduate Cassandra Hensley receives her pin during the program’s pinning ceremony.

8 | Presonography student Jessica Demsky and nursing student Sarah Quire participate in an icebreaker game during an assembly.

9 | Graduates of the radiologic sciences and imaging program read the dedication pledge during their dedication ceremony.

With this pledge, they commit to protect patients by serving them with compassion and minimizing radiation that could negatively impact their health.

10 | In a mass casualty simulation led by Kettering Health Network emergency outreach faculty, about 65 senior nursing students practice triage and chemical exposure decontamination.

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