(WHITE TWP., January 27, 2010) -- The educational partnership between Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and Warren County Technical School won plaudits from the county Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The freeholders honored the hospital as the technical high school’s “Business Partner of the Year” for its work with students in Warren Tech’s Health Science program. Warren Tech students have the opportunity during their junior and senior years to shadow health care professionals in various departments of the Medical Center, observing all aspects of the medical profession in a clinical setting while earning high school credits.

Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner said the “hands-on approach” provided through the partnership “gives students the opportunity to really view what happens on a day-to-day basis” in a hospital. “That’s really an exciting opportunity,” he added.

“Hats off to the project,” Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain said. “I think any time you have coordination and collaboration between entities to provide better opportunity for students to learn, that benefits society, benefits the students, and actually increases their opportunities for employment down the road.”

Freeholder Angelo Accetturo said he toured Warren Tech about a month ago, including the Health Sciences area of the school. “I think you should be commended for what you’re doing over there,” he told the tech school and hospital representatives at the freeholder meeting, adding, “I was very impressed.”

The freeholders presented a proclamation to hospital Administrative Director Kim Foreman, who coordinates the program with Warren Tech. Joining Foreman was Angela Adams, the Health Sciences instructor at Warren Tech, as well as Chief School Administrator Robert Glowacky, Apprenticeship Coordinator Ray Gara, and tech school Board of Education members Judith Chamberlain, Kevin O’Neill and Harold Warne.

“Hackettstown Regional Medical Center is delighted to be partnering with Warren County Technical School on this program,” Foreman said. “We look forward to many more years.”

Adams said 17 students are involved this year in the program, which continues to grow. Glowacky said the partnership with the hospital is a stepping stone to a variety of medical careers for the students. “They’re changed individuals when they come back to school” after spending time visiting the hospital, Glowacky said. “Now they know what they want to do.”

The Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders recognized Hackettstown Regional Medical Center as Warren County Technical School’s “Business Partner of the Year.” Pictured are (l-r) Warren Tech’s Chief School Administrator Robert Glowacky and Apprenticeship Coordinator Ray Gara, Freeholder Angelo Accetturo, Kevin O’Neill of the Warren Tech Board of Education, Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner, HRMC Administrative Director Kim Foreman, Warren Tech Health Sciences Instructor Angela Adams, and Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain.

WHEREAS, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and Warren County Technical School have forged a partnership for the educational benefit of Warren County’s students; and

WHEREAS, Warren Tech students enrolled in the Health Science program have the opportunity during their Junior and Senior years to shadow health care professionals in various departments of the Medical Center, observing all aspects of the medical profession and obtaining exposure to health care in a clinical setting; and

WHEREAS, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center provides twice-weekly visits for Warren Tech students, with Medical Center staff taking care to welcome the students while providing them with a thorough introduction to the medical field; and

WHEREAS, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center also plays an active role on the Warren County Technical School’s advisory board, and its representatives make regular visits to the school to meet with students regarding careers in the medical profession; and

WHEREAS, Warren County Technical School designated Hackettstown Regional Medical Center as its “Business Partner of the Year” for the Medical Center’s role in mentoring students, serving on the advisory committee and providing education opportunities;
 
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Warren honors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center as Warren County Technical School’s Business Partner of the Year, and salutes the representatives of both the Medical Center and the Tech School who are responsible for forging and conducting this partnership.

Richard D. Gardner, Director
Everett A. Chamberlain, Deputy Director
Angelo Accetturo, Freeholder