Cloud County Community College Approves Purchase of Advanced Pediatric HAL Simulator for Nursing Department
The Cloud County Community College Board of Trustees voted to waive policies to allow the consumption of alcohol on campus for the annual College Foundation Scholarship Auction, and they approved the purchase of an Advanced Pediatric HAL Simulator for the Nursing Department during their regular meeting on Monday, January 22nd.
The Cloud County Community College Foundation will be having the Foundation Scholarship Auction in Arley Bryant Gymnasium on Saturday, April 20th. All funds raised during the evening go directly to the General Scholarship Fund, making Cloud County an option for many students who otherwise might not be able to attend college. Last year, the 42nd Annual Cloud County Community College Foundation Scholarship Auction raised more than $105,000. In the history of the auction, the event has raised more than $1 million toward student scholarships.
The board approved the college administration's request to allow alcohol in Arley Bryant Gymnasium on April 19th, 20th and 21st for the scholarship auction.
The board also voted to approve the purchase of an Advanced Pediatric HAL Simulator to be used in the Nursing and Allied Health Program in the amount of $60,625.28.
Stefanie Perret, Director of Nursing and Allied Health, says the Advanced Pediatric HAL Simulator is the world's most advanced pediatric patient simulator and the first capable of simulating lifelike emotions through dynamic facial expressions, movement and speech.
Perret says this equipment is supported by the North Central Kansas Medical Center as they have found that early exposure to this type of equipment eliminates on-the-job training and can help reduce errors for new graduates.
This equipment is supported by the Kansas Board of Regents Nursing Grant in the amount of $27,000, workforce development funds in the amount of $10,014, and $23,611.28 from nursing lab fees.
College Vice President for Student Services Brandt Hutchinson announced that high school students who are interested in the health professional field are invited to the first ever Health Professionals Visit Day at Cloud County Community College on March 7th. The event was originally scheduled for January 10th but was postponed due to inclement weather.
Visitors will participate in sessions to learn about the Nursing and Allied Health Department, Athletic Training, the Emergency Medical Technician program, and the Pharmacy Technician certificate.
Hutchinson tells KNCK News the day is being organized by the Cloud County Community College Admissions and Nursing and Allied Health Departments.
Visitors will also get the chance to tour the construction site of the new Technical Education & Innovation Center. The new building, which is now more than 60 percent complete, will house the Nursing and Allied Health Department.
Hutchinson says this concentrated visit day is a great opportunity for area high school students to explore the possibility of continuing what they love to do while working towards a degree.
Hutchinson says Cloud County is student-centered. While the college does large visit days, they also want to host focused visit days that are dedicated to specific student interest.
To RSVP for the Health Professionals Visit Day, email Hutchinson at brandt.hutchinson@cloud.edu, or call 1-800-729-5101, ext. 340.
During his report, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Brandon Galm said the college's new Associate of Arts in Elementary Education transfer degree was approved through screening by the Higher Learning Commission, so they can begin offering the degree in Fall 2024. Galm said Cloud County is working to get the program added into the system according to the Kansas Board of Regent's guidelines.
Neil Phillips with Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips, P.A. provided a summary of the college's 2022-2023 Audit. Phillips communicated they have issued an unqualified — or clean — audit, meaning all financial statements are materially accurate. The board is expected to approve the audit at its next regular meeting in February 2024.