Faculty and more than a dozen students from Lawson State Community College's Health Professions programs recently gained invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of healthcare at the "Future of Health Care" event. Presented by Baptist Health and hosted by the Birmingham Business Journal on November 13, this engaging gathering offered a crucial "beyond the bedside" perspective on the industry's systemic challenges and exciting opportunities.
The event featured a powerful Q&A session with a panel of top healthcare leaders, providing a comprehensive look at current issues and future directions. The esteemed panel included a vice president of nursing operations, a medical director, a healthcare chief strategy officer, and an urgent care expert.
Dr. Sherika Derico, Associate Dean of Health Professions, underscored the breadth of the discussions.
"We had the chance to hear about so much from addressing professional shortages across all areas of the health professions to finding solutions (especially scholarships) to get more professionals in the field," said Dr. Derico, who was joined by: Dr. Katrina Swain (Nursing), Mrs. Aliya Moon (Rad Tech), and Mrs. Kordrilus Ruff (Dental Assisting).
For Lawson State's students, the event served as a profound educational experience. "For the students, it allowed them to see beyond patient care. They actually heard people from other areas talk about issues beyond the bedside. This was also about what healthcare workers need to survive," explained Dr. Derico, highlighting the event's holistic approach to understanding the industry.
Nursing major Alex Cox initially did not want to go to the event, but hearing from the panel made all the difference.
"I got the chance to listen and consider potential solutions, specifically for Alabama, when it comes to healthcare," said Alex, who described the experience as "encouraging and enlightening."
"I loved their desire to utilize the community as a way to meet people where they are instead of having people always come to the brick and mortar locations of various clinics and hospitals," Alex said.
Same according to sonography student Petyton Eldridge.
"Attending the Future of Healthcare was great," she said. "I had the honor of sitting among many experienced healthcare leaders and gaining real insight into the progression and challenges of the field I plan to enter."
Checkout health profession programs at Lawson State Comunity College!
