ROME — More than 20 students from eight schools participated in Rome Memorial Hospital’s (RMH) recent three-day, health-care academy (HCA), learning about various careers in the health-care field. 

Sponsored by Rome Hospital Foundation and M&T Bank, RMH held the health-care academy Aug. 1-3, the nonprofit said in a news release. 

“The students had an opportunity to meet with health-care workers from numerous departments throughout the hospital, talk about their jobs and see them in action in addition to participating in hands-on activities,” Julie Chrysler, director of education, volunteer services and employee health at RMH, said. “We are eager to help these students become familiar with the broad range of opportunities that healthcare offers because there is a tremendous need for more people to choose these challenging and rewarding career fields.”

The 22 program participants were Carli Charbonneau, Gabe Cihocki, Kiya Fruin, Aurianna Lastowski, and Ireland Payne, eighth graders in the Adirondack Central School District; Kiera Burke, Adeline Houser, and Kaitlyn McEwen, all ninth graders at Camden High School; Victoria Piccolo, Malory Poulin, and Kara Woods, eighth graders at Camden Middle School; Dellon Hammers, an eighth grader at Oriskany Central School; Julianna Locke, eighth grader at Otto Shortell Middle School; Matthew Bates, Dah Hser, Miranda McCormick, Casey Podkowka and Georgianna Younglove, eighth graders at Lyndon H. Strough Middle School; Morgan Brewer, a tenth grader at Vernon Verona Sherrill High School (VVS); and Grace Chrysler, Samantha Dee, and Mary Muller, all ninth graders at Westmoreland High School.

About the program

Dressed in their scrubs, the students met with hospital personnel in areas that included pharmacy, nursing, respiratory, speech and physical therapy, medical imaging, the laboratory, and maternity. They also learned how to use a stethoscope, how to perform CPR, and how to save a choking victim. 

Students spent their final day at the camp “immersed” in a mock motor-vehicle accident. They were able to follow a patient from the accident scene to an Amcare Ambulance and through the emergency department. Students also had the chance to see a Mercy Flight Central helicopter land and take a peek inside.

“When exploring careers, today’s young people are often faced with choosing between a high tech environment and working with people,” Chrysler said. “Health care is unique because it offers the best of both worlds.”

In addition to their hospital scrubs, RMH provided the participants with their own t-shirt, stethoscope, breakfast, lunch, and a certificate of completion. 

Morgan Brewer, a sophomore at VVS, says the academy increase her interest in a career in health care. 

“I really enjoyed the experience of HCA camp,” Brewer said in the RMH release. “I was already thinking about becoming a paramedic, and this confirmed it.” 

Brewer recommends the program to students who are considering their futures. “Being here helps you figure out if you want to work in health care and figure out what you want to do.”

“Many of the 2018 graduates have expressed an interest in returning as a volunteer or to shadow an employee in a specific department,” Chrysler noted. 

ILION — The Mohawk Valley Health Center in Ilion is now known as the Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Mohawk Valley after the New York City–based health-care organization acquired the facility.

The Grand Healthcare System of Queens purchased the 120-bed nursing facility for an “undisclosed amount,” according to a Grand Healthcare news release issued Aug. 7. The organization also didn’t release any additional terms of its acquisition agreement.

The Mohawk Valley facility provides rehabilitation and nursing services to patients who require short- or long-term nursing care following hospitalization. The facility has a staff of more than 200 employees.

Grand Healthcare says it has a track record of “improving underperforming” nursing homes through “strong” leadership, training and capital improvements, renovations and equipment upgrades.

The Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Mohawk Valley, which is located at 99 Sixth Avenue in Ilion, becomes one of “numerous” nursing homes across the state affiliated with the Grand Healthcare system. Other properties are located in Madison, Oneida, Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Genesee, and Otsego counties, as well as the borough of Queens, Grand Healthcare said.

 “We are thrilled to add this facility to our growing roster of New York–based properties,” Jeremy Strauss, CEO of the Grand Healthcare System, said. “Mohawk Valley Health Center has a long and proud history and we look forward to elevating the quality and access to care for local residents.”

The rebranding of the Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Mohawk Valley will begin with new interior and exterior signage and new uniforms for staff. Guests will also have access to hospitality features offered at other Grand properties such as a personalized menu, concierge service, courtesy shuttle service, and iPad program to communicate with family and loved ones any time of the day or night.

“Today marks a new beginning for this facility,” Bruce Gendron, regional VP of the Grand Healthcare System and a resident of New Hartford, said in the release.

“My leadership team and I understand the needs of residents living in the Mohawk Valley. Together, we will endeavor to create a facility where state-of-the-art rehabilitation and nursing care is coupled with a luxury experience for guests and their loved ones,” said Gendron.

Founded in 2014, the Grand Healthcare System offers health care and specialty-care services that include amputee therapy, bariatric rehabilitation, cardiac therapy, “complex” medical-care programs, hip repair and joint-replacement recovery programs, IV antibiotic therapy, medical-nutrition therapy, and stroke rehabilitation.

“In the months to come, we will examine how else we can be of service to the community,” said Gendron. “Our team is well-connected with the hospitals in the area and we will explore the possibility of adding specialty programs based on the needs of the region.”