In the summer of 2021, Saint Clare’s mobilized more than 20 staff members from across the organization to meet with representatives of Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD). This was the starting point for numerous areas of partnership for full-time students, share-time students, and Adult Continuing Education students. What has developed since has earned St. Clare’s the designation as MCVSD’s 2022 Business Partner of the Year.
Saint Clare’s hosted clinical rotations for share-time Exercise Science students in the health system’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs and PT/OT departments, hosted Academy for Health Care Sciences juniors for a clinical rotation in eight different departments, provided an internship for a student in the Academy for Computer and Information Sciences, and currently hosts a Health Care Sciences intern.
Additionally, Saint Clare’s Dover location became a site supporting the ESL program, and Chief Nursing Officer Jan Bednar, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, joined MCVSD’s Advisory Council for Health Care Sciences.
“Strong business partnerships are vital to the school’s career and technical education programs,” said Shari Castelli, MCVSD’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “Saint Clare’s Health has become a business partner with exceptional commitment and service to our district. In the last year, numerous departments within the hospital have been instrumental in the growth of our students and programs. We look forward to a continued working relationship.”
Saint Clare’s recognizes the significance of helping MCVSD bridge the gap for students between school and work.
“Saint Clare’s Health is so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Morris County Vocational School District,” said Bednar. “This partnership provides students a chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom in the real working world, thus beginning their career journey in a meaningful and impactful way. It is the first step for many of them to forge new professional relationships and become part of the community. We at Saint Clare’s Health live by our core values of serving and caring for our community members, and this partnership is one such commitment.”
