January 21, 2020 —Kendal at Oberlin has been honored by Lorain County JVS, with the designation of “1st Place in the Workplace,” for their commitment to the workforce of Lorain County. The presentation was made by JVS Superintendent, Dr. Glenn Faircloth to Barbara Thomas, CEO Kendal at Oberlin. Present were Kendal and JVS staff and students.In accepting the plaque, Barbara thanked Dr. Faircloth and to the students said, “You are our future, and this partnership is part of our mission.” She added, “For the future, keep in mind all the Kendal opportunities including Kendal at Oberlin, Kendal at Home and Senior Independence.”Kendal has provided clinical experiences for health science students at JVS for over 15 years. Allied Health Science students come to Kendal during their junior year. They shadow various staff members including state tested nursing assistants (STNA), licensed practical nurses (LPN), physical therapists, fitness instructors, housekeeping staff and restorative care specialists. This provides the students with opportunities for career exploration, limited hands-on learning experiences, and meaningful intergenerational communication.
Students come to the Allied Health Sciences program from 13 schools in Lorain County. The program is college tech prep for students interested in health or medical careers. The students learn the fundamentals of health science while completing multiple college-level courses. Over the years, Kendal has offered employment opportunities to these students, and currently three former students are staff members at Kendal.
Susan Wallace, Allied Health Science Instructor shared that, Kim Leek, Kendal’s Clinical Education Coordinator, has coordinated clinicals this year and has helped make the entire experience very positive for JVS students. Kim is also a member of the JVS Program Advisory Committee. Susan said, “Our students love coming to Kendal!”