JCC and Foote form area's first Corporate University

 Jackson Community College and Foote Health System today announced a partnership that offers comprehensive training and continuing education to Foote Health System staff. The new arrangement will significantly enhance the level of ongoing training for more than 2,200 Foote employees and result in a technologically advanced workforce throughout the system.

 The partnership represents the area's first formalized "corporate university" and will operate under the name of "Foote Health University."

 "This is a significant program that will benefit both our employees and our community," said Foote President Georgia Fojtasek. "We are investing in our people by taking our education function to a higher level. We want to ensure the most advanced care possible to our customers and Foote Health University will help us provide the quality of care Jackson residents deserve."

 The partnership is the first of its kind coordinated by JCC's Business and Industry Development Center (BIDC). The program was designed to help Foote's staff access opportunities in many areas of professional growth. It will also provide a vehicle for clinical areas to keep pace with technological changes and continuing advances in the field.

 BIDC was formed earlier this year to assist in bringing business and education together. The Center is an outgrowth of the College's previous economic and job training arm, the Enterprise Institute. The Institute unites employment, economic development, education, training and workforce development initiatives to better serve employers in the Jackson County area, and represents JCC's commitment to meeting current and emerging needs of the workforce.

 Nationally, the corporate university trend has been an effective solution for businesses to meet the need for continuing education, training and professional development in today's workplace. The concept represents a partnership between business and educational institutions to develop strategically and mission aligned educational programs. Foote Health University blends Foote's expertise in healthcare and JCC's expertise in education to maximize effectiveness and better serve employees.

 "Jackson Community College is very pleased to announce this new corporate university in partnership with Foote Health System," said JCC President Daniel J. Phelan. "Foote Health System has consistently demonstrated its commitment as a learning-focused organization. We are pleased to have the opportunity to assist in supporting this commitment, while helping to fulfill JCC's mission to be the learning college of choice for the communities that we serve."

 Foote Health University will use a three-pronged approach toward the enhanced development of staff by:

1)  Connecting with K-12 school districts to stimulate early interest in healthcare careers

2)  Developing a comprehensive approach to Foote's orientation needs, continuing education goals and management development program

3)  Utilizing JCC's affiliations with several universities to provide further education, distance learning and degree opportunities for Foote staff.

 While details are still being finalized, the plan will likely call for classes to be offered online, as well as in classrooms located at JCC's Johnson Downtown Center, Foote's One Jackson Square facility, and JCC's main campus.

 The development of Foote Health University continues a long-standing partnership between Foote and JCC for a variety of programs. Most recently, and as a result of severe staff shortages in the field, the two organizations teamed to re-instate a radiography technician training program at JCC.

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