Officials of Wellmont Health System and Holston Valley Medical Center were recognized recently for sustained financial support of the licensed practical nursing program at the Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton.
Dr. Charles Manning, chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents, presented the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Blaine Douglas, president of Holston Valley Medical Center, and Dr. Richard Salluzzo, president and CEO of Wellmont Health System, in ceremonies held at Holston Valley Medical Center on March 7.
"Your distinguished commitment, leadership, support and enthusiasm for the practical nursing program at the Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton makes Wellmont Health System and Holston Valley Medical Center most worthy recipients of this award," Manning said.
Wellmont's sustained financial support, totaling $200,000, enabled TTC-Elizabethton to offer a practical nursing program on the ETSU at Kingsport campus near Allandale. More than 60 students from Sullivan and Hawkins counties have graduated from the Kingsport program since it was established in 2005, Manning said. Another 50 students are currently enrolled in the Kingsport nursing class.
Jerry Patton, director of TTC-Elizabethton, said nursing students obtain clinical experiences in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor's offices and health departments in the region. A record 134 students graduated from the Practical Nursing Program at TTC-Elizabethton in September 2006.
"Last fiscal year, graduates of the nursing program at TTC-Elizabethton had a 99 percent passage rate on the State Board of Nursing Examination to become Licensed Practical Nurses. Many graduates enter the work force while others transfer to ETSU or a community college to become a Registered Nurse," Patton said.
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