Breaking down barriers in healthcare careers

By Carson Lemon
Staff Reporter

On March 19, the Health and Human Services (HHS) Division put on the second annual Men in Healthcare event. The event ran from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Health and Human Services Building, and featured informative speakers and hands-on activities.

Though the event is focused on men working in nontraditional careers, it is open for anyone who is interested. The event aims to provide a learning experience that explores careers within the healthcare field and highlights the ways that LCC can help them succeed as students.

Bridget Ward, recruitment and outreach coordinator for the HHS division, says the event appeals to a broad range of people because attendees get to experience things “hands-on from trained experts.” The event specifically looks at careers in nursing, dental hygiene, massage therapy, kinesiology and emergency medical services.

“According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up the majority of the workforce in healthcare occupations, especially in the fields we train students for,” Ward said. “We want to spotlight these careers not only because they offer meaningful, well-paying opportunities, but also because many of them allow individuals to begin—and grow—their careers right here at LCC.”

The opening speaker for the day was Michael Loniewski, a registered nurse and the manager of endoscopy at McLaren Greater Lansing. Other speakers from the event included LCC alumni, faculty members, industry professionals and even current LCC students.

Some of the activities open for attendees were stations that allowed patient care simulation. The dental lab was open to practice oral health techniques, and massage therapy tools were available for attendees to interact with.

Ward hopes that the event helps to broaden students’ horizons by allowing them to explore fields they may not be familiar with. “At the end of the day, most students report discovering or experiencing something that makes them rethink what they thought they knew about a particular profession,” Ward said.

Students that are interested in learning more about the healthcare field and different careers available to them through LCC can check out the Health and Human Services Division webpage on the LCC website. “Anecdotally, when students participate in hands-on activities—such as practicing suturing techniques or listening to a heartbeat on a mannequin—you can see them begin to imagine their future selves in these roles,” Ward said. “It’s always exciting to witness that moment of connection.”