Valencia College News » Health Related

Making History: Navy Vet Earns One of Valencia’s First Bachelors Degrees

Linda Beaty — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:18:17 +0000

On Saturday, May 4, Mary Miller and 19 other Valencia students will make history, becoming the first students to earn their bachelor's degrees from Valencia College. But when Mary was graduating from high school, she chose another direction -- one that ultimately led her to Valencia. After high school, Mary enrolled at the University of Central Florida in the late 1980s, and followed her passion: music. A trombone player, she majored in music performance, minored in voice and even served as the marching band president for the Knights. But along the way, Mary began wondering how she’d be able to make a living as a music teacher. With those doubts troubling her, she dropped out of UCF and joined the U.S. Navy – as a musician. After going through the Navy’s Virginia training camp for musicians, she was assigned to, of all places, Orlando. And here she played in the Orlando Naval Training Center’s band, playing for the base’s weekly graduations, playing Fourth of July events, playing at Disney and at UCF football games. But in 1994, when the Navy announced it would close the Orlando base in 1995, Mary found herself at a crossroads. Although her Navy superiors encouraged her to enter officer training, she had been recovering from back surgery and didn’t feel ready. Besides, her mother – a breast-cancer survivor -- lived in south Florida and moving to Jacksonville would take Mary even farther from her mom. Ultimately, “the band went to Jacksonville and I stayed here.” For a while, Mary managed a music store, but the pay was discouraging. “I thought, ‘I need to find a career that’s going to enable me to survive on my own,’ “ she recalls. After doing some research, she discovered that Valencia College offers an associate in science degree in radiologic and imaging science. She was intrigued by the field, particularly by the array of possible jobs in the field, from x-ray technician to CT (computed tomography)-scans to MRI technicians. So she signed up and, in May 2001, graduated and landed a job at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. There, she worked her way up from X-ray technician to lead X-ray tech before cross training to become a CT scan technologist. Today, she’s the hospital’s lead CT scan technologist. And though most of the people in the field have two-year, associate in science degrees, Miller wanted a four-year degree. “Some people have asked me why I want it, and I always said, ‘I want it for me.’ I wanted a four-year degree when I was a music major – and I want one now,” she said. However, money remained a factor. When UCF offered the four-year radiography degree, the cost of the tuition was higher. So Mary put off enrolling, wondering if the investment of money would pay off in the long run. But when Valencia took over the four-year Radiologic and Imaging Sciences program that UCF had shuttered, Mary was one of the first to sign up. “I was already familiar with the school and the staff. I knew that the instructors want us to succeed,” she says. “As soon as (Valencia) announced that they were taking over the program, I jumped on it like I was a dog on a bone.” Valencia’s online program enabled 46-year-old Mary, who works three 12-hour shifts each week, to take classes and do homework at her convenience. Along the way, she discovered that taking bachelor’s degree coursework changed her outlook about her job. “It broadens your perspective,” Mary said. “Before, it was just a job, not my career. Now I don’t think just about what we’re doing at my hospital. Now I think, ‘Where do we fit inside the community of radiology?’ ” Still, earning her bachelor’s degree hasn’t been easy. During the past two years, Mary had major surgery and four family members passed away. Yet she persisted. “It’s been a battle to get this far,” she said. “I’ve learned to be so tenacious. I made up my mind that I will not be defeated by the other obstacles that life is putting in front of me.” And on May 4, she will walk across the stage at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, and will start a new chapter in Valencia's history, as one of the first students to earn a bachelor's degree from Valencia. Nothing, she says, will prevent her from participating in this commencement. “You could not stop me,” she says, laughing. “After all this, believe me, I’ll be sprinting like FloJo across the stage.”

Valencia Uses Simulators To Train Cardiovascular Tech Students

Linda Beaty — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:35:16 +0000

How do you teach students to insert stents and balloons into arteries, so they’re ready to work on real patients when they graduate?

At Valencia College, students in the college’s Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) program learn by using training simulators that deliver a virtual-reality experience. Valencia’s CVT program educates and prepares students to become Invasive Cardiovascular Specialists known as a Cardiovascular Technologists (CVT).

Using a state-of-the-art Simbionix simulator, students gain hands-on experience placing guidewires, stents and balloons, but they also learn the intricacies of cardiac rhythm management, BTK (below-the-knee) procedures designed to save the lower leg, particularly important for diabetics.

“Ultimately, the use of simulation in the health science programs at Valencia is critical to the student’s training, said Penny Conners, Dean of Allied Health at Valencia College. “In our cardiovascular technology program, with the aid of the Simbionix simulator, our students are able to replicate the exact procedures that they will be performing in the hospital setting. In this regard, simulation helps the students to understand and put safety first for the patients so they can give the best care possible while working in their field.”

Click here to watch a video of Valencia students using the simulator.

The ANGIO Mentor provides experience with basic/advanced guidewire and catheter skills, familiarity with endovascular procedures, and immerses them in the cath lab team experience. Using the simulator, students also learn how to operate the C-arm, patient’s table, fluoroscopic screen, as well as how to read the hemodynamic monitoring and administer medications due to complicated treatment. The simulator offers hands-on training that is designed to enhance manual dexterity and improve appropriate instrument decision making. Because of the simulator’s high-end haptic, students learn a realistic sense of touch needed for learning how to insert guidewires, balloons, stents and other interventional devices.

“The ANGIO Mentor has been widely embraced by medical colleges in the education of surgical residents and fellows,” said Inbal Mazor, vice president of marketing for Simbionix. “Now, our portable haptic simulators and vast library of modules and cases have been embraced by community college CVT programs.”

Nursing Faculty and Students Perform 26 Acts of Kindness in Memory of Newtown Shooting Victims

Linda Beaty — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:52:32 +0000

How many Valencia College nursing students and faculty members does it take to change the world?

Apparently, not many.

That was the lesson that nursing faculty delivered this January and February as they urged students, staff and faculty members of the nursing department to participate in a unique public-service event.

Every year on Learning Day — which was held on Feb. 8 this year — Valencia College staffers perform some type of community service – work that ranges from landscaping in local parks, to walking dogs at a no-kill shelter, or volunteering in area schools. But this year, members of the nursing faculty had a different idea. They decided to perform 26 Acts of Kindness, part of a national movement to reach out and help fellow Americans.

The idea came from NBC news correspondent Ann Curry. In the days after the shootings of 26 children and teachers in Newtown, Conn., she tweeted this idea: “What if? Imagine if everyone could commit to doing one act of kindness for every one of those children killed in Newtown.” Her idea quickly gathered momentum and 26 Acts of Kindness was born.

At Valencia, Kim Laughman, along with a handful of other nursing faculty members, discussed different ways they could honor the victims and families. “We thought, ‘What would happen if we let everyone in the Nursing Department know that we wanted to perform 26 Acts of Kindness to show support for our own community. Would they want to join us?’ ” said Tommi Graves, another nursing professor.

The response, says Graves, was overwhelming. For three weeks, 26 full-time nursing faculty members and adjunct faculty, along with staff members and nursing students collected hundreds of donations. By Learning Day, their cars were full of goods to deliver.

Food was collected for Pooky’s Pantry, a food pantry for Valencia College students in need of a meal.
Salad dressing was collected for the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.
VNSA (Valencia College Nursing Student Association) wrote letters and valentines to soldiers serving overseas.
Coupons were clipped and donated for military families to use in military PX stores.
Clothes and coats were collected and sorted for the Union Rescue Mission and the Orlando Coalition for the Homeless.
New and gently used socks & shoes, and clothes were bagged up for Park Place Adult Behavioral Center.
Board games, craft materials, & books were boxed for Park Place Children’s Behavioral Center.
Blankets, towels and pet supplies were gathered for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Orlando.
Nursing students put donation jars in nursing classrooms and collected change for Shepherd’s Hope, a Central Florida medical clinic that relies on donations and volunteers to provide health services for people without health insurance.
Handmade blankets, cookies and valentine baskets with “sock cupcakes” were made for Crossroads Nursing Home in Davenport.
A valentine-card distribution chain was coordinated to deliver Valentine’s Day cheers to nursing home residents at another center.
Toys, books and children’s clothing were collected and sorted for the Methodist Children’s Home in Sanford.
VNSA collected food for the Community Food and Outreach Center to be dispensed to low-income families in the Michigan Avenue area in Orlando.
Peace books were gathered to be distributed to different organizations.
Paper products were collected for Matthews Hope, a homeless outreach program in Winter Garden
A mysterious donor made and delivered many cupcakes to the nursing teams on West Campus and staffers at Florida Hospital South’s cardiac unit, where many Valencia nursing students do clinical and practicum rotations. .

“This experience,” said Graves, “reminded us that it is important to remember that it doesn’t take a ‘Learning Day’ to show acts of kindness and generosity.”

For Paula Pritchard, Valencia’s nursing dean, the outpouring of support was no surprise.

“Our faculty are very giving; they always give to the community, and our students are always the first to volunteer for any type of community service,” Pritchard says. “That’s really the heart of nursing. And I think the spirit of Valencia and the philosophy of the institution absolutely lives and breathes within the students and faculty of our division.”

Give Kids a Smile Day Comes to Valencia

Carol Traynor — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:40:39 +0000

On Feb. 9, Valencia's dental hygiene students provided free dental care and education for low-income children as part of Give Kids a Smile Day, a national event held each year in February by the American Dental Association. Valencia partnered with dental assisting students from Orlando Vo Tech and the Dental Care Access Foundation to provide care to 80 children from the community. The goal: teach kids the basics of brushing and teach parents the value of early fluoride treatments and sealants for preventing tooth decay. Pamela Sandy, program chair for Valencia's Dental Hygiene program, said that most parents don't realize that dental disease can start in children as young as six months old, when teeth first erupt, and that some pediatricians will now apply fluoride to baby teeth four times a year as part of a child's regular check up. [embed]http://youtu.be/17S8qJi1FWk[/embed]

West Campus Wins $1.8 Million Grant to Improve Advising, Degree Completion

Carol Traynor — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:55:23 +0000

Valencia College’s West Campus has received a five-year grant totaling $1,884,810 to expand and improve student advising services and online advising tools to help retain students and guide them to graduation. Valencia is the only Florida college and one of 14 colleges and universities nationally to be chosen by the U.S. Department of Education to receive this grant.

The Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant assists eligible institutions to better serve the needs of low-income students by supporting college “infrastructure,” including student service programs and faculty development. While the initial audience targeted by the grant are students enrolled in “pre-nursing” courses and business students who intend to transfer to four-year schools, Valencia college officials expect the changes paid for by the grant will eventually help all new students complete their coursework and degree requirements.

Valencia intends to use the funds, which became available Oct. 1, to hire advising staff, replace an online advising tool that is no longer compatible with current technology, assist faculty in adopting the new advising tools and renovate and upgrade West Campus faculty support centers.

Valencia Coming to Lake Nona Medical City

Carol Traynor — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 19:48:56 +0000

Valencia College will soon open its fifth campus in Lake Nona Medical City, where it will train students for careers in the life sciences, as well as offer traditional coursework toward the associate degree. Although the fall semester officially begins Aug. 27, student services staff will be available to help students starting Aug. 20. The three-story, 83,000 square-foot building replaces shared space at nearby Lake Nona High School, and is the first of four buildings proposed for the branch campus. This month, the campus received its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). When the new campus opens, it will feature 18 “smart” classrooms, six science labs—including a biotech lab—a library, a bookstore, small café and student services offices. Sitting areas throughout are meant to encourage studying in groups, catching up with friends, or just contemplating the third-floor view of Lake Whippoorwill. But the primary focus—at least for campus leaders—will be on math and science. And students seem to be responding, with those courses filling up as fast as the college can offer them. Teaching part-time are four scientists who work in Medical City labs. Other scientists will be invited to campus to share their research projects with students in a monthly lunchtime series called “Hungry Minds.” “We are also in the process of developing a Life Sciences Institute,” said Michael Bosley, executive dean of the Lake Nona Campus, “and are exploring opportunities for collaborations with UCF’s College of Medicine, Nemours Children's Hospital, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, the Orlando VA Medical Center, and the University of Florida Academic & Research Center.” Together with Valencia’s Osceola Campus, a new Associate in Science degree in biotechnology is planned for the fall of 2013 and programs in physical and occupational therapy are also in the works. Valencia has offered college courses in a wing of Lake Nona High School since 2009, both to the general community and through its Collegiate Academy, where high school students can enroll in advanced placement and dual enrollment courses leading to an Associate in Arts degree. As of last spring, there were 400 students enrolled in the Collegiate Academy, up from 33 two years ago. Built at a cost of $21.7 million by the design-build team of SchenkelShultz Architecture and PPI Construction, the campus features an environmentally friendly design. “Green” features include energy saving lights and air conditioning, reflective roofing materials, recycled construction materials and native landscaping that requires very little piped irrigation. It is slated to achieve a Level 2 Green Globes Certification based on specifications set by Green Building Initiatives, a Portland, Oregon based non-profit. The Lake Nona Campus website has construction updates and additional information: http://valenciacc.edu/lakenona/

It’s Not Too Late to Enroll for Fall Classes at Valencia College

Linda Beaty — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:57:28 +0000

With classes beginning on Aug. 27, now is the time for new students to apply to Valencia College to be sure they get the best selection of classes for the fall. New students are encouraged to turn in their applications by Aug. 10 so they can finish the enrollment process and receive priority in registering for fall classes. Those who miss the Aug. 10 enrollment deadline, however, can still apply and enroll for the fall. Admissions information and the online application are available at http://valenciacollege.edu/futureStudents/admissions/ And for families worried about student loan debt and the increasing cost of college, here’s good news: Valencia College tuition for Florida residents is $99.06 per credit hour – which is half the cost of tuition at the state’s four-year universities. In other news, Valencia will open its new Lake Nona Campus this fall. The new campus, which is adjacent to Orlando’s Medical City complex, will offer courses in the life sciences, as well as traditional coursework for an Associate in Arts degree. Adjunct faculty will include scientists from Medical City employers. Valencia is also opening its new James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College in the fall semester. The honors college, which accepted more than 80 students for the fall term, will feature three different concentrations. Honors students at the Osceola Campus will focus on leadership; students at the East Campus will concentrate on science and research, while students on West Campus will focus on interdisciplinary studies. Valencia, which was named the nation’s best community college in 2011 by the Aspen Institute, offers a wide variety of programs for students. The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is awarded after a student completes a general education program of 60 credit hours. With an A.A. degree from Valencia, graduates are guaranteed admission to the University of Central Florida through DirectConnect to UCF. The college also offers more than 40 Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs. These programs provide specialized training that prepares graduates for immediate entry into the workforce. Valencia’s highly successful A.S. programs include Cardiovascular Technology, Radiography, Computer Programming and Analysis, and Electronics Engineering Technology. Valencia’s A.S. degree graduates have a 95-percent job placement rate and earn an average annual salary of $43,000 – nearly double that of high school graduates. In addition to associate degrees, Valencia also offers two bachelor’s degree programs at its West Campus. The Bachelor of Science in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences prepares students to work in the medical field of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and quality management. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology has concentrations in computer systems, electrical/electronic systems and lasers and photonics. To provide students with more opportunities, Valencia has also partnered with UCF and the University of Florida to provide architecture students with a unique 2+2+2 program that allows students to earn an associate’s degree in architecture at Valencia, finish a bachelor’s degree in architecture at UCF and complete a master’s degree at the University of Florida’s new Orlando-based architecture program. Valencia’s architecture students have also been accepted to prominent architecture programs at Cornell University, Columbia University, University of Michigan and the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

Sing-A-Long Concert to Raise Money for Nursing, Paramedic Scholarships

Linda Beaty — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 19:00:48 +0000

For a good time (and a good cause), head to Osceola Campus Friday night for an old-fashioned, rock and roll sing-a-long concert by the Rogue Scholars (a group of Valencia faculty, staff and students.) Admission is $5 and proceeds go to scholarships. The family-friendly concert will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Building 1 auditorium at Osceola Campus. The Rogue Scholars, a group of Valencia faculty, staff and students, will play a wide variety of music, ranging from Elvis to Weezer to Finger 11. Tickets will be $5 at the door. The concert, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, will raise money for the Dewey-Bilyue Scholarship named in memory of Jane Dewey and Monty Bilyue. The two spent their professional lives in emergency healthcare services as a nurse and paramedic, respectively. Jane Dewey was a graduate of Valencia’s nursing program. When fully endowed, the Dewey-Bilyue scholarship will provide tuition assistance to students pursuing a degree or certification in Valencia's nursing, EMT, or paramedic programs. If you are unable to attend the show, but would like to donate to this Valencia Foundation scholarship, please contact Melissa Pedone at mpedone@valenciacollege.edu

Dance Challenge to Benefit Nursing Students

Carol Traynor — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:18:08 +0000

Fans of MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” or “Dancing with the Stars” will have a chance to cheer on some non-celebrity dancers in support of nursing students at Valencia College. Femmes de Coeur is presenting “Let Us Entertain You” on May 20 from 4-9 p.m. in The Ballroom at Church Street in downtown Orlando. Proceeds will be used for nursing scholarships for Valencia, Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, Seminole State College and UCF College of Nursing. Paula Pritchard, dean of nursing, will be competing in the Faculty Challenge against nursing faculty from the other schools. The event also includes silent and live auctions. Tickets are $75 each. You can purchase tickets in person at Valencia's Nursing Department (West Campus, Health Sciences Bldg., Room 200, ask for Angela Lawrence-Pusey) or order tickets from Femmes de Coeur by calling Judy Conrad at 407-620-3987 or visiting www.femmesdecoeur.org

Smoke-Free Campus Coming in 2012

Carol Traynor — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:33:54 +0000

Following an announcement last summer, Valencia College is moving forward with plans to go smoke-free on all its campuses by August 2012. Several other Florida colleges and universities, including the University of Florida in Gainesville, have enacted smoke-free policies, meaning they don't allow students, employees or visitors to smoke anywhere on school grounds. The University of Central Florida (UCF) is considering taking similar steps. "I hate to interfere in people's private lives and habits, but secondhand smoke affects everyone," said Valencia President Sandy Shugart in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel. The college will spend the next eight months preparing students, faculty and staff for the change in policy, and has launched a communications effort with the theme, "Share the Air." The Share the Air campaign includes campus banners, ashtray decals, printed informational materials and a new website, among other things. Valencia, in partnership with the Quit Smoking Now program, is also providing free on-campus quit-smoking programs for students, employees and members of the community who wish to kick the habit. In November, student groups at all four campuses held events in conjunction with the America Cancer Society's Great American Smoke-Out, an event that challenges people to stop smoking cigarettes for a day, hoping their decision not to smoke will last forever. The students used the occasion to introduce the college's new smoke-free policy with a focus on health and nutrition ("Smoke a turkey, not your lungs" was the fun theme of Winter Park Campus' event). To see a video of the East Campus festivities and hear the views of smokers and non-smokers alike on the college going smoke-free, click here: [embed width="444" height="300"]http://youtu.be/7zbSAr_c4y0[/embed]

Valencia Named One of Orlando's Healthiest Employers

Linda Beaty — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:05:36 +0000

Valencia College has been named one of Central Florida Healthiest Employers by the Orlando Business Journal.

The award, which was presented to Valencia officials on Nov. 17, celebrates the college’s commitment to employee wellness programs.

Companies competed for the award in four categories based on the number of employees. Valencia was recognized in the 1,000-4,999 employees category, along with companies such as the Children’s Home Society. Rosen Hotels & Resorts won the top prize in this group.

Judges highlighted Valencia’s initiative to make all campuses smoke-free by August 2012. The judges also noted Valencia’s budget of more than $54,000 set aside for its health initiatives, plus the college’s program to subsidize Weight Watchers membership fees for employees, and the focus on lowering employee blood pressure.

Valencia’s wellness program coordinator, Debi Jakubcin, accepted the award on behalf of the college. She was accompanied by Dr. Stan Stone, vice president of human resources & diversity; Dr. Amy Bosley, associate vice president of organizational communication & development; Patti Riva, operations manager of Valencia’s Energy Education program; Laurie Youngman, benefits manager; and Carol D’Avella, assistant to the dean of the Winter Park campus.

“It has been an exciting venture,” Jakubcin said, explaining that conversations about the wellness program at Valencia began almost a decade ago. Since then, Valencia’s wellness program has made great strides in helping employees live healthier lifestyles.

The program started off small with classes being held at the East and West campuses. “Now,” Jakubcin continued, “there is at least one class on each campus. Weight Watchers is being held on three campuses with well over two tons of weight being lost.” The program has also grown to include a variety of exercise classes, brown bag Lunch and Learns, healthy cooking classes, CPR training, and self-defense training.

In 2008, Valencia’s program was named the most comprehensive wellness program in the Florida Community College Risk Management Consortium.

Valencia's Warrior on Water

Linda Beaty — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:14:22 +0000

In the television reality show, “Survivor,” contestants compete and connive to stay in the game. But in the real world of cancer survivors, the winners are very different. They are tough, but loving. They have seen the worst of life and are happy to share what they've learned. That’s why Carol Millenson, who works in Valencia’s continuing education program, sits at her desk with her office door open. Despite the noise and the bustle from the hallways of the nursing department, Millenson – a breast cancer survivor – wants students and faculty to feel they can drop in and ask for advice. “The numbers just continue to grow,” she says. “I’ve been open about my diagnosis because I feel it’s important to share my experience.” One reason? Years before joining Valencia, Millenson worked at the Orlando Cancer Center -- which is now known by another name, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. There, she counseled families grappling with cancer. And many of her patients were breast-cancer patients. She had no way of knowing that she would eventually be one of them. Yet in 2008, a routine screening mammogram detected suspicious places in her left breast. Millenson immediately learned as much as she could and gathered a team of doctors she hand-picked. After several tests, doctors said she had cancer in the left breast and pre-cancerous spots in the right breast. Given that information, Millenson opted for a bilateral mastectomy. “We felt like we were catching it early,” said Millenson. “There was no lymph involvement, and I needed no chemotherapy, no radiation. It wasn’t one of the more aggressive cancers.” She was back at work in three weeks, determined to get back to her routine. Yet Millenson – once someone who held the hand of cancer patients – now understands cancer from a survivor’s perspective. Now she extends help to other women – helping friends and colleagues choose doctors, and counseling them through the treatment process. Just as Millenson’s recovery continues, so does her outreach. After her surgery, she read about a new type of exercise being trumpeted for breast-cancer survivors: Dragon-boat racing. Researchers have found that some types of upper-body exercise – such as rowing a boat – may reduce the chances that a woman will experience lymphedema, a painful swelling of the arms that’s a common side-effect of breast cancer surgery. Interested, Carol joined Warriors on Water, an Orlando dragon-boat team of breast-cancer survivors. Not only is she a paddler, but she’s also the team’s webmaster. Dragon boats, which originated in China more than 2,500 years ago, are 40 feet long and can carry 22 team members. The team consists of a drummer sitting on the bow of the boat, a steersperson at the stern and the team’s paddlers, who sit side by side. Perhaps it’s apt that breast cancer survivors have adopted this sport: The dragon symbolizes protection from evil and disease. On Saturday, Oct. 15, Carol Millenson and the other Warriors on Water will compete in a dragon-boat tournament at Downtown Disney. Racing in another dragon boat will be another Valencian, Nursing Dean Paula Pritchard. Pritchard, a veteran kayaker, started rowing a dragon boat in August. She too has a family connection with breast cancer. “When I was 10, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Pritchard said. “My mother survived, but my sister and I always get checked.” But the dragon boat isn’t the only event Carol’s involved in during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of Millenson, members of the Valencia nursing school have formed “Team Carol,” a group of walkers and runners who are participating in the Oct. 16 Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure at the University of Central Florida. The idea came from nursing professor Marci Dial, who once worked at the Orlando Cancer Center – and probably nursed many of the breast-cancer patients that Millenson once counseled. “I wanted to honor the work that she’s doing,” Dial said, “and we also want to raise money, raise awareness and educate people about the disease and the need for early detection.” For more information about Team Carol, go to http://www.komencentralflorida.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/teams/ and search for Team Carol. To see Carol Millenson and the other Warriors on Water race their dragon boats, go to Downtown Disney to see the Walgreens Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 8 a.m.

Fall Semester Begins Aug. 29; Classes Still Available

Linda Beaty — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:11:03 +0000

More than 42,000 students will return to college classrooms at Valencia College on Monday, Aug. 29, when the fall semester begins. But the number of students enrolled this fall will likely rise, because students who register late may be able to start classes in October. Whether they start in August or October, this will be the first incoming class to enter as students of Valencia College. The college changed its name on July 1, dropping the name Valencia Community College. The semester also launches two new bachelor’s degree programs, the first offered at Valencia. Students can now earn their bachelor’s degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences or a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology. Both degree programs will be based at Valencia’s West Campus on Kirkman Road. However, all of the bachelor's coursework in radiologic and imaging sciences will be online, except for the practicums. In addition to the two new bachelor’s degrees, Valencia is offering a new Associate in Science degree in Business Management, Marketing and Administration. And for parents aggravated that their son or daughter didn’t register in time for fall classes, here’s good news. It’s not too late to sign up for Valencia’s “Flex Start” classes – which start on Oct. 5 and Oct. 22. “Flex Start” classes are typically eight to 10 weeks long. The fall semester, by contrast, lasts 16 weeks. For more information on “Flex Start,” go to http://net5.valenciacc.edu/schedule/default.cfm?request=flex

Classes for Bachelor's Degree Program in Radiology Set to Begin in Fall

Linda Beaty — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:28:41 +0000

Valencia is rolling out a new degree program this fall – one that will give students in the health profession a chance to earn their bachelor’s degree.

One of only two bachelor’s degrees offered at Valencia, the Bachelor of Science in Radiological Imaging Science will begin online classes this fall. Students who earn their bachelor’s degree in radiology science can boost their earnings, in some cases significantly, depending on the field they work in.

According to a 2007 salary survey from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, a student who earns an associate’s degree in radiography earns an average starting salary of $46,376, while a student who holds a bachelor’s degree in the field earns between $64,000 and $85,744 a year.

Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in radiography also gives current sonographers and radiographers a chance to move into administration and management jobs, said Penny Conners, dean of Valencia’s Division of Allied Health. The bachelor’s program will allow the students to specialize in high-demand areas of the radiology field, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and quality management.

The University of Central Florida offered the B.S. program in radiology science, but dropped it in July 2009 because of state budget cuts. Valencia has picked up the program – and that’s good news for students. Why? Because the estimated cost of four years of study for a bachelor’s degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences at Valencia would be $13,554. The estimated cost at a state university would be $19,308. The cost at a private school could be as high as $37,120.

To sign up for courses for the new bachelor’s degree in radiography, students must have completed their associate in science degree and must have passed the national certification exam.

Most of the courses will be taught online, Conners said, which makes the program ideal for those who are already working in the field, but want to earn their bachelor’s degree. “There’s only one course doing clinical work” – a practicum – “so it’s very doable, even if you’re a full-time employee,” Conners said.

Meanwhile, demand for employees with a bachelor’s degree in radiology should continue to be strong. By 2014, there will be 801 project job openings in the field of radiology in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Sumter and Seminole counties, according to Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc.

“It’s a good opportunity,” Conners said, adding that the bachelor’s degree program fits Valencia’s mission of serving both its students and the community. “A community college still brings that ability for someone in the community to advance themselves professionally.”

Pritchard Named New Nursing School Dean

Linda Beaty — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:26:26 +0000

Valencia College has named Dr. Paula Pritchard, former dean of nursing at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, as its new dean of nursing.

“Valencia has an excellent program; they have an excellent reputation,” Pritchard said. After touring the college and meeting the faculty, “I just got such a really good feeling about the people, the energy of the school, the students and the faculty. I thought this was going to be a really good fit for me.”

Pritchard, who lives in Altamonte Springs, started her nursing career after earning an associate in science degree from Mount San Jacinto College in San Jacinto, Calif. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from California State University at Fullerton. She continued her nursing education at the University of Phoenix, where she earned a master of science in nursing with concentrations in administration and adult health. She then earned her doctorate in nursing from the University of Florida.

At Valencia, she will return to her community-college roots. “I started with an associate’s degree in nursing and this gives me the opportunity to give back,” she said

Valencia’s nursing program was founded in 1970 with the first nursing class of 44 students admitted in September 1971. Today, Valencia’s nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), which certifies that the program meets both the highest state and national standards. Many universities, including the armed forces, require transfer students to have completed their associate’s degree at an NLNAC-accredited institution. Students who complete the program are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) and can go on to work in a nursing career or pursue higher degrees.

In 2011, Valencia nursing students continued to score high marks on the National Council Licensure Examination, the exam required to become a registered nurse. In 2010, Valencia graduates had a higher pass rate than both the state and national average – with 94 percent of students passing the registered nursing exam on the first try, according to the Florida Board of Nursing.

One of Pritchard’s goals will be to continue the nursing school’s history of excellence. Because national health leaders are urging more nurses to pursue four-year degrees, Pritchard wants to focus more attention on Valencia’s A.S. to B.S.N. program, which enables Valencia students who graduate with an associate in science degree in nursing to transfer to the University of Central Florida or another of the state’s four-year colleges to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree.

In addition, Pritchard wants to serve the students who are pursuing an associate in science degree in nursing, a program that prepares them for entry-level jobs in nursing. “I believe this is an excellent way for nurses to get into practice and I hope as they travel through the path of associate-degree education and nursing, we empower them to dream beyond the walls of Valencia,” Pritchard said.

Valencia is Again Top Producer of Associate Degrees in Nation

Carol Traynor — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:55:32 +0000

For the second year in a row, Valencia Community College ranks first in the nation in the number of associate degrees awarded by a community college. The ranking was published on Monday by Community College Week. The report was compiled using preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and focused on degrees conferred during the 2009-2010 academic year. In that year, Valencia awarded 6,303 associate degrees, including 2,650 earned by minority students. “Valencia’s focus on improving student success, particularly in the critical first year of college, is paying off,” said Valencia president Sanford C. Shugart. “The rankings also underscore the role Valencia plays as the primary entry point to a college education in our region.” Also noteworthy, the college ranks second in the number of degrees awarded to Hispanic students and third in the number awarded to African Americans. Aside from overall associate degrees conferred, Valencia ranked high across a number of academic disciplines: first in the number of degrees awarded in general studies, 9^th in registered nursing and 18^th in engineering technology. Valencia offers three types of degrees: the Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.) and the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. The A.A. degree parallels the first two years of a four-year bachelor’s degree. In Florida, graduates with an A.A. degree are guaranteed acceptance as juniors into the state university system. A long-standing partnership between Valencia and the University of Central Florida has contributed to Valencia’s transfer rate, considered to be among the highest in the country. DirectConnect to UCF guarantees Valencia grads acceptance and accelerated admission to the university. Since the program’s inception in 2006, approximately 45,000 students have indicated that they are DirectConnect to UCF students. On July 1, Valencia will drop “community” from its name and become Valencia College. Starting in August, it will expand its offerings to include several bachelor’s degrees.

Dance Challenge to Benefit Nursing Program

Carol Traynor — Thu, 05 May 2011 19:47:34 +0000

Fans of MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” or “Dancing with the Stars” will have a chance to cheer on some non-celebrity dancers in support of nursing students at Valencia College. Femmes de Coeur is presenting “Let Us Entertain You” on May 22 from 4-9 p.m. in The Ballroom at Church Street in downtown Orlando. Proceeds will be used for nursing scholarships for Valencia, Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, Seminole State College and UCF College of Nursing. Manny Ramos, professor of nursing, and his partner Fayvin Duffy will be competing in the Faculty Challenge against nursing faculty from the other schools. The event also includes silent and live auctions. Tickets are $75 each. To order tickets, call Judy Conrad 407-620-3987 or visit www.femmesdecoeur.org If you can’t attend but would still like to show your support and vote for Manny, go to www.femmesdecoeur.org and click on “Donate,” then scroll through the photos at the bottom of the page until you find Manny Ramos and click on “Donate/Vote.”

Valencia Professor to Influence National Nursing Policies

Melissa Tchen — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:09:37 +0000

Dr. Linda Speranza Appointed to the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice Orlando, Fla. – On November 17, Dr. Linda Speranza, a nursing professor at Valencia Community College’s West Campus, will attend her first meeting in Washington D.C. as a new member of the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP). Speranza’s four-year term on NACNEP began July 1, 2010 and will end June 30, 2014. As a member of the council, she has the opportunity to influence national policy matters relating to nursing education, the nursing workforce, and improving nursing practice. NACNEP advises and makes recommendations to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Congress on policy matters arising in the administration of Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act. Instituted in 1964 in response to a shortage of nurses, Title VIII focuses on training advanced practice nurses, increasing the number of minority and disadvantaged students enrolling in nursing programs, and improving nurse retention through career development and improved patient care systems. NACNEP is made up of 23 members, including nursing students and professors, professional nurses, leading authorities in the various fields of nursing, and representatives of advanced education nursing groups (such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists), and hospitals and other institutions and organizations which provide nursing services. “It’s an honor to be able to serve Valencia, our community, and now at a national level,” said Speranza. “It’s a great opportunity to serve students from a variety of backgrounds as they start their nursing career pathways from middle to high school to college and as they proceed through their professional careers.” Dr. Linda Speranza is a nationally certified family nurse practitioner. She has been a professor at Valencia Community College for 34 years. In addition to teaching full-time at Valencia, she practices part-time in emergency departments and in private practice. She authored as well as served as director of the Pathways Into Nursing (PIN) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Grant from 2002-2005 and is co-author of a new book aimed at teens, “Heads Up: Successful Strategies for Planning a Career in Health Care.”

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Valencia Professors Write a How-To Book for Young People Interested in Entering the Health Care Field

Melissa Tchen — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:42:31 +0000

Have you always wanted to be a nurse? Or maybe you envision yourself as a radiologist or an EMT. If so, you could start preparing for your dream career as early as middle school with the help of a new book, “Heads Up: Successful Strategies for Planning a Career in Health Care,” by Valencia Community College professors, Dr. Linda Speranza and Dr. Diane Reed. The 77-page pocket sized book serves as a resource for middle school and high school students (and their parents) who are interested in pursuing careers in the health care field. It provides 20 chapters, each filled with valuable tips that range from investigating the many career options within health care to which classes to take while in high school. “One big thing that we realized was that teens were taking any kind of -ology class,” said Reed. “Things like ecology and theology are rigorous, but they’re not going to help you in the health sciences.” Reed is an allied health professor and has been an adjunct clinical instructor at Valencia for 10 years and Speranza has been a nursing professor for 34 years. Much of the advice that they incorporate into their book came from experience gained through a grant-funded program called Pathways Into Nursing (PIN). The PIN program, which existed from 2002 to 2005, was geared toward helping Hispanic and other minority students get on the path to becoming professional nurses. Valencia worked with students from Gateway High School, Osceola High School and Cypress Creek High School, providing qualified participants with guaranteed admission into Valencia’s registered nursing program. “After the grant ended, we thought the book was a logical next step,” said Speranza. “We realized that a lot of parents and school guidance counselors want to help their child or student [start preparing for medical careers] but don’t know how.” Both authors stress that the most important thing is to start the process early. They recommend that students begin the career investigation process as early as middle school. With increasing educational costs and academic requirements for admission to colleges and universities, having a clear career direction can save time and money. Dr. Diane Reed is an experienced delivery room nurse, a clinical nursing instructor, a professor of allied health, and a career and retention strategist. She has more than 10 years of professional teaching experience in the classroom and online and more than 10 years of career planning and retention experience with middle school, high school and college students. She is also a career planning consultant for the Orlando Magic. She is currently working toward a master’s degree in nursing and health care informatics. Dr. Linda Speranza is a nationally certified family nurse practitioner. In addition to teaching full-time at Valencia, she practices part-time in emergency departments at Bartow Regional Medical Center and Central Florida Regional Hospital, as well as in a private family practice urgent care clinic. She was recently appointed to a four-year term with the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice. Published by Tate Publishing, “Heads Up: Successful Strategies for Planning a Career in Health Care” is available in paperback for $8.99. It can be purchased online at www.tatepublishing.com or www.amazon.com.

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State Board Approves Baccalaureate Degrees

Lucy Boudet — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:47:09 +0000

Today, the Florida State Board of Education gave Valencia the green light to offer bachelor’s degrees for the first time with their approval of two new programs. With expected approval in December from the accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Valencia could begin offering a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, in the fall of 2011. “This is an important evolution in our programming mix, not a shift in our mission,” said Sandy Shugart, president of Valencia. “It comes at a critical moment for our community as we recover our economic footing. These programs are in high demand by our students and lead to well paying jobs in stable industries—health care and high technology.” Similar bachelor’s degrees had been offered by the University of Central Florida until July of 2009, when budget cuts forced the university to eliminate the programs. Valencia’s interest in offering them was prompted by the needs of its own students, who along with other area community college transfers, made up the bulk of the enrollment in UCF’s programs. Employer demand proves to be strong, with 801 projected job openings by 2014 in Orange, Osceola, Lake Sumter and Seminole counties for radiologic and imaging occupations, and 215 for electrical and computer engineering, according to Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. The B.S. in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences will offer concentrations in Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Quality Management. The degree will primarily be offered through online courses for the flexibility they offer to working health care professionals. The program aligns with associate degree programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Radiography, already offered by Valencia. The B. S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology will have concentrations in Computer Systems, Electrical/Electronic Systems, and Laser and Photonics. It aligns with the A.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology and the A.A. in Engineering. The curriculum prepares graduates for engineering occupations related to electrical/electronics, computer systems, digital electronics, digital and wireless communication, and lasers and optics.