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Office of External Communications |
Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Lisa Merkl |
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Texas Medical Center Institution Employees Empowered by Program to Further Education HOUSTON, Aug. 27, 2004 – Emerging as a leader in the health sciences, the University of Houston is becoming an increasing presence in the Texas Medical Center. In its fourth year, Discover U, a program offered to employees of Texas Medical Center institutions, is in session again with the start of its fall semester this week. Jointly offered by the University of Houston and Houston Community College System in a partnership with a number of TMC institutions, this degree-granting, licensure and certification program is an important career-development tool that provides TMC employees with the education they need to advance within their organizations. As its name indicates, Discover U provides a university atmosphere that prompts students to “take a step toward discovering you through Discover U.” Designed with the non-traditional, working student in mind, Discover
U offers courses after hours, starting at HCC healthcare programs offered include certificates, licensures and associate’s degrees for careers such as pharmacy, histological, clinical laboratory and emergency medical service technicians; dental, medical, occupational therapy and physical therapy assistants; surgical, health information, human services and nuclear medicine technologists; diagnostic medical ultrasound sonographers; respiratory therapists; and radiographers. And, in addition to its vocational nursing program, HCC also offers an associate’s degree in nursing that offers an 11-month LVN-to-RN transition program to applicants who are currently practicing vocational nursing. “I was once one of these people,” said Faith E. Foreman, Discover U director and clinical assistant professor in the department of health and human performance in UH’s College of Education. “I wish I had something like this to help me through my schooling, so it’s extra rewarding to be able to help others out who similarly need to work full time while working toward their degrees.” Foreman, who holds both a doctorate and master’s in public health and a bachelor’s in sociology, says that her LVN degree has prepared her to lead this program. In addition to being director of Discover U, she also is one of its teachers. On the horizon, Foreman says Discover U has many goals as it wraps up its third year in the Texas Medical Center. With the University of Houston’s first three graduates in 2003 and now eight more in May 2004, more classes will be available to Discover U participants, both in quantity and variety. Some particularly big news includes plans to add undergraduate and graduate business degrees specifically designed for a TMC audience. They are currently in the developmental stages with plans to be introduced during the 2004-05 academic year. “Discover U is a great benefit to folks who work in the Texas Medical Center,” said Craig Follins, director of business development and outreach services for HCC. “We enjoy working with UH and look forward to attracting new students as more people graduate with the various degrees and certifications this program offers.” The breadth of coursework offered, combined with the convenience of late afternoon and early evening classes and location at HCC’s John B. Coleman Health Science Center, make Discover U a logical outlet to further learning for both its students and TMC institutions. Students benefit from being able to concurrently make a living while pursuing an education, and their employers can tap in to a loyal workforce that is ever evolving and bettering themselves, allowing more opportunities to promote from within. “My family circumstances led me to work full time at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1997, and it was difficult to obtain my basic courses in college and work 40 hours a week,” said Sarah Abbott, a recent UH graduate from Discover U. “I did not have the financial luxury to go off to college in 1993, and this program fit my career path.” Currently an administrative assistant and certified pharmacy technician at M.D. Anderson, Abbott affirms that Discover U is geared toward returning or nontraditional students and was struck by the enthusiasm from both her employer and UH. Karen Hamid, another recent UH graduate and M.D. Anderson employee, says a key reason she chose Discover U was for the potential advancement opportunities within her company. In addition to M.D. Anderson, employees from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, The Methodist Hospital, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Texas Children’s Hospital and Harris County Hospital District also have gone through Discover U. Abbott perhaps summed up the essence of Discover U in an e-mail she sent to her family, friends and colleagues that heralded: “After 10 long years, the day has finally come that I will walk across and get my degree!” For additional program details, class schedules and contact information about Discover U, visit http://www.uh.edu/uhdistance/discoveru/. About the University of Houston About Houston Community College System For more information about HCC, visit http://www.hccs.edu/ To receive UH science news via e-mail, visit www.uh.edu/admin/media/sciencelist.html. For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom. |
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