Establishing Pathways: Our Partnership with Columbus Regional Healthcare System

The healthcare industry is a vital component of Columbus County, serving as one of the largest employers in the region. Recognizing the growing demand for talent within the healthcare sector, SCC has forged a groundbreaking partnership with the esteemed Columbus Regional Healthcare System (CRHS), under the leadership and guidance of President and CEO Jason Beck. This alliance seeks to leverage the incredible talent pool within Columbus County and establish pathways for aspiring healthcare professionals to contribute to their local community.

During a momentous signing event on March 1, 2023, Mr. Beck expressed his vision for the partnership, stating, “The demand for talent is exceeding the supply. How can we leverage the great things that are happening in Columbus County, the talent in the county, and create pathways to work in Columbus County?”

With this shared ambition, SCC, Columbus County

Schools, Whiteville City Schools, and CRHS have come together to introduce apprenticeships in healthcare, focusing on critical areas such as Medical Laboratory Technology, Pharmacy Technology, and Clinical Medical Assistance.

These apprenticeships have been designed to address the pressing needs of the industry, where these positions are in high demand.

The partnership has already yielded remarkable results, with SCC offering a Clinical Medical Assisting class that directly meets the requirements specified by Beck and CRHS. The success story began with the first four apprentices, all of whom not only completed their certification exams with flying colors but are now gainfully employed by CRHS. This achievement serves as a testament to the effectiveness of this collaborative effort and its transformative impact on the lives of aspiring healthcare professionals in Columbus County.

The collaboration between SCC and CRHS extends beyond clinical medical assisting. In response to the national shortage of Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs), CRHS faced a significant challenge in attracting qualified applicants. However, their long-standing relationship with SCC has offered a solution. The majority of MLTs in the CRHS lab are SCC graduates and, since 1995, SCC students have been performing clinicals at CRHS, which has consistently supported the MLT and Phlebotomy programs. Our partnership has flourished, leading to the successful employment of all five students who recently completed their clinicals at CRHS, totaling over 1700 hours of practical experience.

The introduction of these apprenticeships represents an extraordinary opportunity for SCC students to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their community’s healthcare needs. Beck’s visionary support and the unwavering commitment of CRHS have been instrumental in forging this transformative partnership. By creating robust pathways for talent development, SCC and CRHS are laying the foundation for a future where local healthcare professionals can flourish, propelling Columbus County to the forefront of the healthcare industry.

KELLY GOMEZ-GARCIA, MLT PROGRAM GRADUATE AND GRADUATION SPEAKER:

Coming from a hardworking community, I grew up surrounded by people who looked like me and shared the same experiences. I didn’t realize how different my reality would be from almost everyone I met during my educational journey. As I sat down for the first time in the Medical Laboratory class, I wondered if I was in the right place. How could a daughter of two Mexicans who only made it to the sixth grade be here? I often found myself the only Hispanic in the room during my high school and college experience, but as you can see, that did not stop me.

I applied for the Medical Laboratory Technology Program here at Southeastern. In high school, I volunteered during blood drives and was always intrigued about how phlebotomy worked. I thought maybe if I did phlebotomy, it would give me a boost or a little knowledge of what working in a lab would be like. Working at the hospital helped me understand the lab and how I could be part of it. I always wanted to work in medicine but didn’t think nursing was for me. I wanted to help others but only knew how once I came across the MLT program. I realized that this was what I was looking for. I wanted to help but from behind the scenes. I am proud to be part of the hidden profession that saves lives.