Central Lakes College is making significant strides in the healthcare field with a new initiative. This initiative aims to introduce individuals to the diverse career pathways within healthcare, opening up a world of possibilities for the next generation. Through a $4.2 million Pathways to Accessing Training in Healthcare (PATH) grant, the college has launched its mobile healthcare unit, which is now reaching students in five central Minnesota counties.

Unlock the Future of Healthcare with Central Lakes College

Introduction to the Mobile Healthcare Unit

The mobile healthcare unit brought by Central Lakes College is a game-changer. It is equipped with all the necessary tools and supplies, including real needles and various medical equipment donated by local facilities like Lakewood Health. This unit has been making its rounds, stopping by Brainerd High School on Tuesday and then at Pequot Lakes High School's career fair the next morning. It offers a hands-on experience that engages students and helps them understand what a career in healthcare truly entails.

Jennifer Chock, the college's Healthcare Outreach Specialist, is at the forefront of this initiative. She takes the time to explain different healthcare careers such as nursing, surgical tech, and radiological tech to the students. She also answers all their questions, whether it's about the cost of college or careers that don't involve direct patient care like coding and scribes.

One of the unique features of the mobile unit is the little mannequins that students can use to give injections. This hands-on approach has been highly appreciated by the students, as it makes the learning experience more immersive and memorable.

Addressing Student Concerns

Students often have concerns about the cost of college and the nature of healthcare careers. Chock addresses these concerns by providing information about scholarships and different career options that don't involve direct patient contact. This helps students make more informed decisions about their future.

For example, she explains that there are careers in healthcare such as coding and scribes that offer different opportunities. These careers require different skills and educational paths, but they still play an important role in the healthcare industry.

By addressing these concerns, Central Lakes College is helping students explore different career pathways and find the one that suits them best.

The Importance of the Initiative

Given the shortage of workers in healthcare, Central Lakes College's initiative is crucial. It is striving to educate the next generation about the various career pathways in the industry through initiatives like the mobile healthcare unit.

Principal Aaron Nelson of Pequot Lakes High School emphasizes the importance of this initiative. He says, "Our kids are taking that step from academic learning to real-world application. They want to know how to become informed about the skills and training needed for different healthcare careers. Our partnership with CLC helps us provide these answers and guide our students."

The mobile unit and other initiatives by Central Lakes College are playing a pivotal role in addressing the healthcare workforce shortage and preparing the next generation for successful careers in healthcare.

Future Plans

Chock will bring the mobile unit back to Pequot Lakes High School in January for an anatomy class. Along with the unit, she will also bring a virtual reality setup that simulates treating a patient. This will provide an even more immersive learning experience for the students.

The virtual reality setup allows students to practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment. It helps them develop a better understanding of the procedures and techniques involved in healthcare.

These future plans demonstrate Central Lakes College's commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare education and preparing students for successful careers in the field.

On Tuesday, a significant step was taken as new laws were signed into effect by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. These laws hold the potential to save the lives of thousands of road workers. Automated cameras will soon play a crucial role in detecting speeding in construction zones and preventing tragic incidents.

How the New Laws Will Work

HB 4132 and HB 4133 are set to create safer and more ideal conditions for construction workers under MDOT jurisdiction. There will be a clear sign warning drivers of the cameras one mile before the start of the work zone. These cameras will automatically detect vehicles that exceed the posted speed limit and take an image of the vehicle. This proactive measure aims to deter speeding and enhance the safety of construction sites.For instance, take the case of Rene Rangel, a Van Buren County Road Commission (VBCRC) worker. Last year, he was struck and killed while working on site. His tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of these new laws. Linea Raider, the Finance and Human Resources director for VBCRC, vividly recalls that day. "We all have that day etched in our brains, and it’ll never go away," Raider said. "He was an outstanding person, always with a joke and a hard worker. It was a horrible day when he was struck and killed by a vehicle at the construction site."

The Rising Number of Construction-Zone-Related Incidents in Michigan

In 2023 alone, there were more than 8,000 construction-zone-related crashes in the state, resulting in nearly 2,000 injuries and 24 fatalities. These numbers are alarming and have prompted groups like Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) to fight for the newest Michigan laws. Lance Binoniemi, the vice president of MITA, explains, "Over the past 5 to 10 years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of accidents and fatalities within construction zones. This prompted our association and its members to look at other states and their successful measures to protect workers."Michigan now becomes the 18th state in the country to adopt these automated camera systems. Data from other states has backed up the association's fight for these laws. In Maryland, for example, there was an 85% drop in the number of speeders in the first five years of the program. And once a driver is caught speeding, there are virtually no repeat offenders with just a written warning.

The Consequences for Speeding Drivers

These laws are in place only when workers are present. The law states that over a three-year period, if a driver is going more than 10 miles above the work zone speed limit, the first violation will result in a written warning. The second violation leads to a civil infraction with a fine of up to $150. And the third violation is another civil infraction, with a fine potentially reaching $300. These consequences are designed to make drivers think twice before speeding through construction zones.As Raider emphasizes, "We have begun closing roads more than just posting lane closures because people disregard them so much and our people are not safe. Renee deserved to be safe, and unfortunately, he didn't. With these new laws, ensuring people don't speed through work zones, we hope to prevent at least one more death."Follow FOX 17: Facebook – X (formerly Twitter) – Instagram – YouTube