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For Immediate Release
Mercy Memorial Announces First Class of Graduates from Retention Program
 Ardmore—Mercy Memorial Health Center announces its first class of
co-workers to graduate from the School At Work (SAW) program. SAW is a
program developed by Louisville, Kentucky-based Catalyst Learning to
provide job advancement, retention and career development for entry
level workers. In today’s hospital environment, increasing numbers of
nurses and other allied health workers are needed to accommodate an
increasing patient load.
By providing SAW to qualified entry level workers,
Mercy Memorial has placed emphasis on retention and advancement of entry
level personnel into clinical, clerical and support roles. SAW graduates
are prepared to advance into higher education at local institutions,
such as Ardmore Higher Education Center and Southern Oklahoma Technology
Center, or to apply for new positions in the hospital.
Lesli Dugan, Mercy Memorial financial counselor,
took classes last fall at the Ardmore Higher Education Center in
addition to participating in the SAW program. “School At Work gave me
confidence to enroll in a nursing program,” said Dugan. Daneen Hansen,
Mercy Memorial human resources information specialist and SAW instructor
said, “SAW has a positive impact on our workforce. It improves morale
and overall job performance and it prepares workers for continuing
education in the field of health care.”
The SAW “Building a Career Ladder in Healthcare”
program uses the internet, computer labs, DVDs and staff coaching to
deliver instruction. Co-workers review basic reading, writing and math
skills; improve their computer proficiency; and study medical
terminology, medical ethics, anatomy and physiology. Students also
develop an individual career and learning plan to follow in reaching
their goals. SAW has been used at over 115 hospitals in 18 states since
2002.
Mercy Memorial Health Center is a member of Mercy
Health System of Oklahoma and the Sisters of Mercy Health System.
Press release dated: January 15, 2009 |
