LYNN — North Shore Community College student Martha Sanchez probably did not expect to be strapped into a Kendrick Extrication Device (KED) Saturday during her time at the Health Care Program Open House and Tour, but she was happy to volunteer so a group of visitors could see the medical tool in action.
“It was fun,” she said with a laugh after being unstrapped from the device used by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) to immobilize patients after a car accident.
EMT instructor Bob Boeri, with help from current EMT and former student Cindy Tarantino, were the ones showing off tools like the KED to inspire visitors to look into a possible career in the field.
“There is a real commitment here to expand the program going by expanding equipment and facilities,” Boeri said.
Sanchez was one of several dozen students and interested local residents who visited the open house to learn more about the new programs offered at the Lynn campus, thanks to a Massachusetts Capital Skills grant.
“This is very good for the future,” Sanchez said.
The programs being added and benefiting from the grant will help students become eligible for state, national, and local exams for positions such as Nurse Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Central Sterile Processor, Phlebotomist, or Electrocardiogram (EKG) technician.
Another visitor interested in the dental assistant training program was Carolyn Twomey. Currently unemployed, Twomey has always been interested in the dental field.
“The job market is always changing,” she said describing why she was interested in visiting and checking out the new programs.
The open house showed visitors EMT and dental tools, and included a tour of a new classroom which features areas to simulate patient care that would be done in a place like a hospital.
Among those listening to Dean of Health Professions and Human Services Maryanne Atkinson and Registered Nurse and Simulation Coordinator Joan Niles talk about the offered programs were Lynn residents Alicia Donlan and Yurany Hincapie.
“I love to help people, this is a good step in pursuing that,” said Hincapie, who has lived in Lynn for 15 years since moving from Colombia.
Donlan described how growing up with a sibling with diabetes and helping them inspired her interest in a field where helping others is the primary goal.
“I jumped at the idea of getting down here and checking out these programs,” she said.
Donlan was originally interested in programs focused on EKG and Phlebotomy but said after the open house she may pursue the medical assistant program.
Dean of Corporate and Community Education, Dianne Palter Gill was happy to see the nice turnout of students and community members.
“This is awesome for our Lynn population,” she said. “We are very excited.”
