Pictured, left to right (front row): Melissa Roden, RN, vice president, Quality, CHI Memorial; Destiny Johnson; Camryn Gentry; Sarah Nelson; Sharon Williams, Ridgeland assistant principal and CTAE supervisor; (back row) Karen Hughes, Ridgeland principal; Rhonda Poulson, senior vice president, chief nursing officer, CHI Memorial; D’Erika Ervin; Jessica Sparks, Ridgeland healthcare science teacher; Dylan Swanson; and Shelby Thacker.
CHI Memorial and The Chattanooga Heart Institute have donated three electrocardiogram, or EKG, machines and supplies to Walker County Schools. The machines will be used by students in the healthcare science classes, part of the Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education program which integrates academic knowledge with technical and occupational skills to prepare students for post-secondary education and the workforce.
“Being able to receive equipment like this is really impactful because it will allow students to have true hands-on experience as they’re working toward a certification, as they move and graduate and go on in to college and university nursing programs,” says Karen Hughes, Ridgeland High School principal.
“As we increase our presence in North Georgia, we want to become good community partners and provide experiences that can attract high school students in to healthcare careers,” said Melissa Roden, RN, vice president of quality at CHI Memorial. “CHI Memorial and The Chattanooga Heart Institute are proud to partner with Walker County Schools to help these students reach their career goals. This practical, hands-on experience will help them become more confident in their skills and really gives them a head start after graduation as they enter the workforce or pursue a higher degree.”
Two of the EKG machines will go to Ridgeland High School. One will go to LaFayette High School.