UNIVERSITY TO BEGIN NEW MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Southeast Missouri Hospital has established a School of Medical Technology in partnership with Southeast Missouri State University.

The new program begins in July and will be housed at the hospital. Medical director for the program is Dr. Mark Hosler, a pathologist.

Medical technologists perform tests on blood, tissue samples and body fluids to aid in the diagnosis of illnesses and diseases.

Dr. Paul Keys, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at the university, said discussion about establishing the program arose when an area hospital approached the university asking for help.

"That hospital, like many hospitals, was experiencing difficulty in finding baccalaureate prepared medical technologists," Keys said.

From that request, a meeting with a number of area hospitals was held to determine interest in a medical technology program.

"We discovered rather quickly that there was a real interest and real need for this program," Keys said.

Dr. Christopher McGowan, dean of the College of Science and Technology at the university, said the university has relationships with other hospitals offering medical technology training. However, the closest hospital is in St. Louis.

"We're hoping that by having a medical technology program right here in this region, students will not only be encouraged to take advantage of the specialized training it offers but will also want to stay in this region to practice their profession," McGowan said.

He added that although the program is sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital, six other Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois hospitals are helping support the program. The hospitals are St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Madison Memorial Hospital in Fredericktown, Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston and Union County Hospital in Anna, Ill.

Southeast Missouri Hospital will provide the clinical setting for the program.

The partnership to provide students with specialized training "is in keeping with the hospital's long-standing commitment to help prepare students for health care careers that will benefit them and benefit our region's health care facilities," said Karen Hendrickson, Southeast Hospital assistant administrator.

Ann Green has been named program director. Green is an instructor in biology and chemistry at Southeast Missouri State University. Six members of the hospital laboratory staff will serve as assistant instructors. Other lab staff members will be directly involved in the program by teaching lab instrumentation and techniques.

The program is a "three plus one" course. The first three years are in the classroom setting. The final segment is an 11-month clinical training at Southeast Hospital. The program leads to a bachelor of science degree in medical technology. After completing the four-year course, students will be eligible to sit for board-certification exams offered through the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

The new program is limited to six to eight students. Enrollment is open now.