East Alabama Health launches new LPN school

CONTRIBUTED BY EAH

OPELIKA — As students returned to classes earlier this month, school also rang into session for the first time at East Alabama Health’s (EAH) new LPN (licensed practical nurse) school. The first 14 students, who are also EAH employees, began their classes on Monday, Aug. 19, and are scheduled to graduate in August 2025. The new LPN school, with classes led by Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) instructors, was started to help address the need for more nurses in the east Alabama region. Students in the program get paid while enrolled and keep employment during school. After finishing their degree, the students step into their new jobs at East Alabama Health as LPNs.

“There is a critical need for more nurses throughout the health care industry, and with the rapid growth of our community, it was vitally important for us to identify ways to address this need,” said Susan Johnston, East Alabama Health’s vice president of Human Resources. “By investing in our employees through on-site training, we can meet this need head-on and better serve the needs of our community.

“We are extremely thankful to Chattahoochee Valley Community College for partnering with us on this important endeavor and are excited to see this collaborative program come to fruition.”

The LPN school is being held at East Alabama Health’s new Education Center at 1805 Lakeside Circle in Auburn. The facility includes a lecture room, a simulation lab, a fundamentals lab, a pharmacology lab, and office/ meeting space. While the program is initially limited to East Alabama Health employees with at least one year of service, the plans are to one day expand the opportunity to non-employees.

The collaboration between East Alabama Health and CVCC to train LPNs on-site is the first of its kind in the region.

Dr. Bridgett Jackson, Health Sciences director at CVCC, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, stating, "This partnership with East Alabama Health is a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for practical nurses in our region. We are committed to providing our students with the best possible education and training, and this collaboration allows us to do just that. By working closely with East Alabama Health, we ensure that our graduates are well-prepared to pass the NCLEX-PN and ready to deliver exceptional care to the patients they will serve."

In addition to the LPN school, East Alabama Health offers a variety of educational programs for students and employees looking to further their education. High school students can participate in the organization’s “Earn-nLearn” program which allows them to gain practical experience and get paid while still in school. Also, students and employees interested in pursuing higher education may apply for numerous scholarships or participate in East Alabama Health’s scholarship loan program.

“By providing high-quality education and hands-on training, East Alabama Health seeks to provide our employees with the skills they need to excel in their careers and deliver exceptional care to our patients,” stated Jennifer Terry, East Alabama Health’s director of Education. “All of our education initiatives reflect our commitment to investing in the future of health care and ensuring that our region has the talented professionals it needs to thrive."

OPELIKA — EAH announced its partnership with Auburn Athletics to offer every baby born at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) a keepsake “Tiger Tots” blanket that features both the Aubie logo and the East Alabama Health logo. The program started with Auburn’s first football game this past Saturday (Aug. 31).

The Tiger Tots blanket will be included in a gift bag that new moms receive when delivering at EAMC. It includes essentials provided by EAMC’s Childbirth Services that new moms and babies need in the days and weeks following delivery.

As the Tiger Tots program grows, the gift bag will include items provided by members of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and/or the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. Parents will also receive a brochure from the College Counts 529 program so they can begin financial planning for college.

Chamber businesses interested in including items in the gift bag for moms and babies — such as promo items, gift cards, coupons, vouchers — should contact Mackenzie Poole with the Opelika Chamber of Commerce (mackenzie@opelikachamber.com), or Stephanie Calhoun (stephanie@auburnchamber.com) with the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. Items provided are subject to approval by East Alabama Health officials.

EAMC delivers about 2,200 babies each year and earned recognition on Newsweek’s 2024 list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals. In addition, EAMC also received the 2024 Women’s Choice Best Hospitals Award for Obstetrics.

About East Alabama Health

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinics and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital, while EAMC-Lanier provides emergency and outpatient services, as well as a nursing home and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,800 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University. For more information, visit www.eastalabamahealth.org.