Howard Community College

HIGH S TAKE S L E A RNING < < < FuEling THE HEALTH CARE ENGINE Students practice on the college's new Baby VitalSims patient care simulator. Demand for trained health care providers is on the rise. And meeting this demand is critical to our wellness, says. "The stakes are high when lives and of Base Realignment and Closure jobs," livelihoods hang in the balance." says Johansson. The health care industry is one of This sector has weathered the economic quality of life, and our economic strength, the most important and stable economic according to Dr. Sharon Pierce, Howard engines in Maryland, according to health care jobs cannot be automated or re- Community College (HCC) vice president Maryland Department of Business placed by technology, according to Johans- of academic affairs. and Economic Development Secretary son. "We must continue to make resources Christian Johansson. "With 383,300 jobs available for this critical sector, because the quality management and delivery. She was in the health care and social assistance availability and quality of health care affects previously director of HCC's acclaimed sector, the industry accounts for 11 percent all Marylanders," he says. nursing program, chair of the college's of all jobs in the state. This number health sciences division, and a clinical nurse continues to grow due to the increasing it is also encountering some bumps in the in a variety of settings. "HCC recognizes needs of an aging population, new elective road. According to the Maryland Hospital the critical importance of educating health care options, and an increase in Association and the Maryland Healthcare students in health care programs," she our population stimulated by the influx Education Institute, the state could have a Dr. Pierce is an expert in health care 2 Pathways | Howard Community College Fall 2011 downturn better than most because many As this engine picks up speed, however,

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