Mississippi News
Health Care: New program aims to fix worker shortage
Singing River Health Care Workforce Academy allows participants to work while advancing their careers
Working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge for staff at the Singing River Health Care system — a challenge only made harder by staffing issues.
Singing River is hoping to tackle the statewide health care worker shortage directly through its new apprenticeship programs.
The Singing River Health Care Workforce Academy is a community-centered program on the Gulf Coast that aims to create more opportunities for people to become qualified health care professionals.
The academy offers apprenticeships, such as a surgical tech internship and a certified nurse assistant internship, to create opportunities for people to continue working while they learn and accelerate their careers.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is working with Singing River on the licensed practical nurse (LPN) apprenticeship program, which hospital officials say is the first of its kind in the state. Jessica Lewis, director of human resources at the hospital, hopes that other hospitals will soon adopt the apprenticeship model to generate more career opportunities for Mississippians interested in working in the medical field.
“We’re putting a huge investment into really training (people) and filling those gaps. The critical piece is making sure that we develop and build pipelines, because we’re going to continue to have staffing crises,” she said. “We have to go out there teaching and training our own.”
The Singing River Health Care system will create more than 220 jobs while educating more than 1,000 students as a result of the program, according to the hospital.
Students can start in the academy as early as high school so that young people can get exposure to the medical field and make informed decisions about their career paths. Singing River has partnered with the Jackson County and Harrison County high schools to engage 11th and 12th grade students to participate in pre-apprenticeship programs and plans to expand to schools in Hancock County.
Singing River will offer immediate employment to qualified graduates in high-demand critical specialties such as certified nurse assistants, surgical techs and licensed practical nurses.
Kellie Powell, a 33-year-old mother of three originally from Texas, has worked at Singing River as a medical assistant for nine months. She will graduate from the LPN program Sept. 2023.
Prior to joining Singing River, she lived in New Orleans and worked for Ochsner Health System. After being displaced by Hurricane Ida, she describes coming to Mississippi as “a blessing in disguise.”
“My children’s father and I packed for three to four days to evacuate and discovered that we couldn’t go back home after the storm,” she said.
She went to Gautier with her family. Her employers at Ochsner told her to find a branch in the Gulf Coast area and start working.
“I found Singing River in Pascagoula and they hired me on the spot … I didn’t have any interview clothes or a car.”
She hopes completing the program will help her pay off her student loan debt from when she attended college.
“This program is the golden ticket. When I graduate, I will be debt free.”
After graduating, she will sign a contract agreeing to work at Singing River for at least two years after completing the program.
The hospital plans to build a new facility to house this program, which is currently operating in a temporary location, in addition to a community health education center.
Construction for this facility near Ocean Springs Hospital will begin soon and is being paid for with a $7 million grant from the state, Lewis said. Topics explored in the community health education center will include tobacco cessation, first aid, parenting, breastfeeding and childbirth.
There will also be an emphasis on mental health, Lewis said. All of these programs will also be offered virtually through their digital medicine program, a program made by Ochsner Hospital System, that allows individuals to manage one’s high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes insulin from your phone and provides telehealth visits.
Eric Shelton contributed to this report.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: July 18-20
SUMMARY: Mississippi offers a variety of events this weekend (July 18–20), including family activities, art exhibitions, markets, and festivals. In Jackson, highlights include the Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza, multiple exhibits at local museums, Neon Night at the Children’s Museum, and the JXN Film Festival. Farmers markets run in Jackson, Vicksburg, and Natchez. Ridgeland hosts Christmas in July and pottery classes. Clinton features train-themed crafts and a film screening. In the Pine Belt, Hattiesburg presents Clue: The Musical, zoo game nights, and exhibits. Laurel offers karaoke, art, and teen movie nights. Ellisville holds Market Days with crafts, food, and kids’ activities.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: July 18-20 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: July 11-13
SUMMARY: From July 11-13, Mississippi offers a variety of events for all ages. In Jackson, enjoy the season finale of “Late Night with Rita Brent,” Disney’s The Lion King, Jr., and exhibitions at the Mississippi Children’s Museum. Pearl hosts the Mississippi Mud Monsters with fireworks and a Back 2 School Bash. Ridgeland features the Wildflower Field, Art Park, Renaissance Christmas in July sales, and a Fairy Garden Workshop. Natchez and Vicksburg offer farmers markets and local entertainment. Hattiesburg presents Po Boy Fest, Clue: The Musical, and outdoor movies. Activities include rodeos, ice cream tastings, run clubs, and community tennis events across the state.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: July 11-13 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Death toll from catastrophic Texas flooding passes 100
SUMMARY: Catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend killed at least 104 people, including 28 children, mostly near Camp Mystic, a century-old girls’ summer camp in Kerr County. Search-and-rescue teams continue to search swollen rivers for dozens still missing; officials expect the death toll to rise as more rain threatens the saturated area. Many victims were swept from cabins by flash floods early Friday, some clinging to trees. Authorities will investigate warnings and evacuation delays, noting poor cellphone service hindered alerts. Despite warnings issued before the flood, some residents didn’t receive them. President Trump plans to visit the state.
The post Death toll from catastrophic Texas flooding passes 100 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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