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Medical Care

SOWELA to Hold Healthcare Info Session in Jennings on 12/10

2024-12-04

Healthcare enthusiasts in Jennings are about to get an opportunity that could shape their careers. A session specifically designed to provide insights into nursing and Allied Health programs is set to take place at SOWELA's Morgan Smith campus. We had the chance to speak with Kristine Stout, the dean of SOWELA's Nursing and Allied Health program, to uncover the details.

Unlock Your Future in Healthcare with SOWELA's Informational Session

Details of the Informational Session

The healthcare informational session is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 10. There will be two time slots available - 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. This free event aims to offer prospective students a unique chance to interact with faculty and staff. They can learn about various programs such as Practical Nursing (LPN), Sterile Processing, and Surgical Technology. Additionally, they will get information about financial aid and scholarship opportunities, the related job market, and Spring 2024 enrollment details.

The Practical Nursing program is a comprehensive course that prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). It combines classroom instruction with supervised clinical activities in accredited healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes. Students gain practical skills and knowledge that are essential for their future careers.

The Popular Courses Offered

Sterile Processing is a two-semester certificate program that opens up employment opportunities in the medical field as sterile processors. This course equips students with the necessary skills to ensure the sterility of medical instruments and supplies. Surgical Technology, on the other hand, prepares students for entry-level employment as Surgical Technologists. They play a crucial role in the surgical team, assisting surgeons during procedures.

Scholarships and financial aid are available for eligible students. This provides a great opportunity for those who aspire to pursue a career in healthcare but may have financial constraints. Spring 2025 classes will begin on Monday, January 13, 2025. It's an exciting time for aspiring healthcare professionals.

How to Register and Get More Information

To register for the informational session, interested individuals can visit www.sowela.edu/info-session. For more details about the event or how to enroll in SOWELA, they can contact SOWELA Morgan Smith at (337) 824-4811 or onestop@sowela.edu. Don't miss this chance to take the first step towards a rewarding career in healthcare.

In an event held in Leuven, Belgium, a remarkable insight was gained into the convergence of 'Health meets Hardware'. Hardware plays a crucial role in the new advancements within healthcare, yet there exist significant challenges. IT emerges as an important innovator in this field, yet a notable mismatch between the significance of technology and the knowledge about it persists within healthcare. This disparity even begins during school years, as pointed out by Gratienne Sioncke, the Founding Executive Director of BORGinsole, based on her experiences with trainees. They often require time to adjust to the technological aspects of the workplace, which are not adequately addressed in education.

Uniting Health and Hardware for Enhanced Patient Care

Hardware's Role in Healthcare Developments

Hardware serves as a fundamental component in the ongoing healthcare developments. It enables the creation of innovative solutions such as 3D-scan-based insoles for (elite) athletes by companies like BORGinsole. The production process involves a blend of digitization, automation, and robotization, emphasizing the precision required. This shows how hardware is integral to bringing about advancements in healthcare.

Moreover, in nursing homes, students from UCLL Hogeschool have proposed the 'dementia harp'. By simply touching one of the tubes, personal memories in the form of photos, videos, or audio start playing automatically. This simple yet effective device improves the lives of patients with dementia on multiple levels, bringing back memories and reducing social isolation.

Challenges in the Healthcare-Hardware Convergence

One of the major challenges is the mismatch between the importance of technology and the knowledge about it within healthcare. Trainees, especially in the initial weeks, struggle to adapt to the technological side of the workplace. This highlights the need for better integration of technology in education.

Another challenge is security. The healthcare sector is increasingly becoming a popular target for ransomware criminals. For instance, patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices do not have the option to upgrade to new versions easily due to the complexity and sensitivity of the brain. This shows that while hardware brings benefits, it also poses significant security challenges.

Jan Vermeir, President of the Young Parkinson’s League, also emphasizes the painful gap between IT innovations and patient well-being. Technological tools designed to improve lives sometimes face challenges due to manufacturers' focus on financial interests rather than patient needs.

The UnitedHealthcare CEO's life was tragically cut short in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning. Brian Thompson, dressed in a suit and tie, was on his way to attend the company's annual investor conference at the New York Hilton Hotel. A masked gunman waited patiently for about 10 minutes before opening fire from 20 feet away, striking Thompson multiple times in the chest. The gunman then fled through an alleyway and onto a bicycle. Investigators believe the suspect may have fled into Central Park.

Impact on the Company

Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. UnitedHealthcare is a significant part of UnitedHealth Group, which is ranked fifth in the Fortune 500. The company's scheduled conference was abruptly ended due to "a very serious medical situation with one of our team members." UnitedHealthcare has not provided further comment on the incident.

This shooting has sent shockwaves through the business world. The loss of such a key leader at a time when the company was about to hold an important investor conference is a major setback. It raises questions about the safety and security of business events in the city and the potential impact on the company's future plans and operations.

Emergency Response and Medical Care

Responding emergency workers quickly took Thompson to Mount Sinai West in critical condition. Despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead. The NYPD is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motives and identity of the gunman. Police are expected to provide a briefing on the incident later in the morning to provide more details and updates.

The incident has highlighted the importance of security measures at such events. It also raises concerns about the safety of individuals in public spaces, especially in busy urban areas like midtown Manhattan. The response of the emergency services was swift and efficient, but the outcome was still a tragic one.

Investigation and Suspect

Investigators are working tirelessly to gather evidence and identify the gunman. The fact that the suspect was masked and managed to flee the scene quickly makes the investigation more challenging. Police are canvassing the area and using various forensic techniques to track down the culprit.

The community is on edge as the search for the gunman continues. People are worried about their safety and the safety of others in the area. The NYPD is working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served and that similar incidents can be prevented in the future.

This is a developing story, and more details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. UnitedHealthcare and the community are waiting for answers and hoping for some closure in the wake of this tragic event.