Community involvement - Jodee

 I don't believe any intitiative can be successful without community invovement. I was involved in inner-city asthma clinics a few years ago. The Principle Investigator spent 2 years getting all of the stake holders on board. These included clinic sites, hospital administration, pharmeceutical companies and housing authorities. It was monumental, but, extremely successful. Unfortunetly when the grant ran out , so did the support. My intitiative involes very expensive simulation equipment. Research shows that  this type of technology is very successful in advancing critical thinking skills and the confidence needed for team approach to health care. So with my codirector, we have approached Pierpont's administration for support, in quality control and upkeep of the equipment. The space is dedicated at theAdvanced Technology Center. We have approached our area hospitals for advice to promote continuing education seminars and we have develped our curriculum to use the technology to promote a learning environment condusive to putting our graduates in the forefront of available jobs. We have also approached other health careers to take advantage of the technology we will be able to provide. We are working now, to 'get our ducks in a row' so that in 2014 we will be ready to move on the new equipment.