SCI-AHEC donates to RLC, local high school dual credit programs

INA, Ill. (Sept. 2, 2016) - Rend Lake College students and local high schoolers are receiving new supplies this year, thanks to a generous donation from the South Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (SCI-AHEC).

Kelli Stover, Director of SCI-AHEC, donated approximately $2,200 worth of supplies on behalf of SCI-AHEC, which included items ranging from thermometers and gowns to gloves and masks for students enrolled in RLC’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and dual credit programs. Specifically, the supplies will be used on all three RLC campuses and at Benton Consolidated, Christopher, Mt. Vernon Township, and Webber Township high schools.

SCI-AHEC's donated supplies were delivered to RLC's Health Studies Student Success Center earlier this week for students to begin using this fall. Pictured is, FROM LEFT, Kim Wilkerson, RLC Dean of Allied Health; Kelli Stover, Director of SCI-AHEC; Juliana Pickford, CNA and dual credit instructor at Mt. Vernon Township High School; and Amber Fann, RLC Nursing Associate Professor. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

“South Central Illinois AHEC is providing the help with supplies because of the great importance that a CNA is to the healthcare workforce,” said Stover. “Not only are CNAs greatly needed locally, but often times this is a starting point for students who can learn some basic skills that transfer easily into other healthcare fields. Investing in our local students is one of the core SCI-AHEC missions.”

Kim Wilkerson, RLC Dean of Allied Health, said the donation comes just in time for students to take advantage for the current school year.

“The supplies are vital to these RLC programs and their continued success in preparing our college and high school students for their futures,” said Wilkerson. “The fact that SCI-AHEC made this donation to support our campus and programs is a great reflection of local organizations giving back to education, and we are thrilled to accept it.”

Funding for the donation came from Health Resources and Services Administration grants to the SCI-AHEC. It is the mission of SCI-AHEC to inspire, train, recruit, and retain a diverse and broad range of health professionals to practice in rural communities, where the need is greatest. SCI-AHEC is located in the Human Resources Department of SSM Health - Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.