News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tara Cox
Clark College Corporate & Continuing Education
360-992-2925
tcox@clark.edu
www.clark.edu/cce
 
Clark College Corporate & Continuing Education develops cultural training for Southwest Medical Center employees
 
Vancouver, Washington, April 1, 2011 – Clark College Corporate and Continuing Education is developing an innovative learning solution to train Southwest Washington Medical Center health care employees who serve patients from Vancouver’s diverse population groups. The $105,000 project is funded through a $70,000 grant administered by Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council and includes $35,000 in matching funds from Southwest Washington Medical Center.
 
“Our vision at Southwest Washington Medical Center is to provide exceptional medicine and extraordinary care for every person,” states Cheryl Snodgrass, RN, MN, Clinical Educator. “The Clinical Education Department is excited to partner with Clark College Corporate & Continuing Education in this grant project. In order to promote patient safety and reduce health care disparities, we need to understand how our own cultural awareness and identity influences how we care for and communicate with our patients and their families.”
 
Training will begin in May 2011 with 40 Southwest Washington Medical Center staff who complete several hours of training that will cover ways to improve patient interactions by offering services and resources tailored to diverse populations. A part of the interactive training includes custom videos created by Clark College Corporate & Continuing Education. Employees from Clark College and Southwest Washington Medical Center worked with students, Partners in Careers, Washington School for the Deaf and other community members to represent 19 distinct cultures featured in video scenarios that will aid in learning.
 
“Imagine all the problems which could arise if you and your health care providers aren’t speaking the same language,” says Mark Gaither, eLearning Instructional Designer for Clark College Corporate & Continuing Education. “Good communication with your nurse, doctor or other health care provider is one of the keys to making sure you’re getting the best health care possible, and through this project, we’re working on assisting care providers to see the person behind the illness.”
 
The training is scheduled to be completed by June 30th and will include both face-to-face and online learning. Clark College Corporate and Continuing Education will also create a stand-alone interactive eBook that staff can use in reference.
 
For additional information, contact: Tara Cox, Marketing and Communications Manager, Clark College Corporate & Continuing Education, 360-992-2925, tcox@clark.edu
 
Clark College Corporate & Continuing Education is the region's premier provider of classes, seminars, certificate programs and training opportunities, serving the residents and businesses of Southwest Washington. The department is dedicated to providing a variety of lifelong learning, personal enrichment and professional development training for individuals reentering the job world, moving up the corporate ladder or simply interested in acquiring a new skill. Clark College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution.
 

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