$200,000 going to hospital, $100,000 going to COC

Today, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon announced that $100,00 has been included in the House-passed Labor-Health & Human Services-Education Appropriations bill for the equipment necessary to start the Medical Lab Technician (MLT) degree program at the largest area community college, College of the Canyons.  The MLT program will be a demonstration project, building off of the success of the College’s nursing program which works in collaboration with such hospitals as the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital , Providence Holy Cross Hospital , and Valley Presbyterian Hospital . 

 

“Nationally, there is a critical shortage of medical lab technicians,” noted McKeon.  “And this is a problem that will only grow exponentially over time, so such a program is quite necessary, especially in California where we see even greater shortages.  These funds will help College officials address the medical technician shortage issue by facilitating the creation of the new degree program.”

 

College administrators requested funding for equipment for a Medical Lab Technician Degree Program at College of the Canyons. 

 

College of the Canyons – Equipment for Med Lab Technician Degree Program – $100,000 for the initial equipment necessary to begin the program.  The degree program will prepare a minimum of 100 technicians per year for medical testing laboratories and health care facilities.  The demonstration project addresses a critical health care shortage for Medical Lab Technicians and creates a model program that can be replicated nationally by making curriculum available to other colleges.  Medical Lab Technicians are in great demand in California .  California will need an additional 7,000 MLTs by 2012 (California Labor Market Information, 2005).

 

Following today’s announcement that the College’s requested funds passed the U.S. House, Vice President of Institutional Development Technology Dr. Barry Gribbons, made the following statement:

 

"The money will ensure that we can expand access to these higher education degrees in Santa Clarita,” said Gribbons.  “To date, the funding we have received through Congressman McKeon has allowed us to open the doors and serve more students.   Currently, we have had 724 students graduate from the Center, and we have 1200 new enrollments already.” 

 

Gribbons went on to say that, “This funding is critical to expanding higher education access in Santa Clarita, and we are grateful to Congressman McKeon for securing the money for us and the community.”

 

The College of the Canyon’s Medical Lab Technician degree program request was included in the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill that passed the House today.  From here, the bill moves to the U.S. Senate for a vote and later to conference between both Houses.  In order for the bill to become law, it must then be signed by the President.

 

 

Also McKeon has announced that $200,000 has been included in the House-passed Labor-Health & Human Services-Education Appropriations bill for the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s helipad development and Flight Safety Initiative. The Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital has been serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1975, and has crafted a Master Plan to adjust to a growing community and to expand facilities, services and staff.  These funds will ensure the Hospital’s helipad meets safety requirements by the California Department of Health Services.

 

[view:node_ad=5]“The Henry Mayo hospital is an integral part of the Santa Clarita Valley,” said McKeon.  “The hospital is definitely a foundation of the community that provides a critical service to its patrons.  The funding that has been secured will enable the Hospital to continue advancing and abiding by state-mandated guidelines for its facilities.”

 

Hospital officials requested funding for the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital helipad development and Flight Safety Initiative. 

 

Henry Mayo – Helipad Development and Flight Safety Initiative – $200,000 to support the Los Angeles County Trauma Network.  Henry Mayo’s Trauma Center has primary responsibility for over 680 square miles of the diverse geography of north Los Angeles County , which is one of the fastest growing communities in the nation.  HenryMayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is the only full patient care facility in the Santa Clarita Valley.  The Hospital serves more than 400,000 individuals throughout the community with the only trauma center in the region. 

 

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital President and CEO, Roger E. Seaver, made the following statement regarding passage of the Labor HHS Appropriations Bill from the United States House of Representatives:

 

“I want to thank Congressman Buck McKeon for his hard work in securing $200,000 in funding for construction of a new helipad,” said Seaver.  “These funds will go toward building a new helipad so that Henry Mayo Hospital can continue to serve the region as a life-saving trauma center.  As a former Hospital Board Member, Congressman McKeon has always been supportive of health care in general and of Henry Mayo specifically.”

 

 The Santa Clarita Valley’s Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital helipad and Flight Safety Initiative was included in the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill that passed the House today.  From here, the bill moves to the U.S. Senate for a vote and later to conference between both Houses.  In order for the bill to become law, it must then be signed by the President.