Lab coordinator simulates life and death with no regrets
Steve Pletcher
Twenty-five years in healthcare and a knack for computers make Steve Pletcher the go-to man in the Human Patient Simulator lab used by hundreds of nursing and EMS students each quarter. An easy-going nature and helpful attitude endear him to the faculty and lessen the intimidation that such an expensive and technical piece of equipment can cause.
Steve is always high-energy, high-enthusiasm, and student centered -Jan WagnerHis good work earned him the Staff Employee of the Month award for January, awarded Jan. 6 at a ceremony for his department.
As coordinator of the Human Patient Simulator Lab, Pletcher has been working with nursing and emergency medical services students for five years. He previously worked for OhioHealth at Grant Hospital and says it took about one year to become fully trained on the simulators in the lab at Columbus State. “Patient simulators are everywhere these days in colleges and hospitals,” he said. “Working on a simulator is great because students can learn with no regrets that a patient might die, and in fact, we sometimes want the simulator to ‘die’ as part of a learning exercise.”
“Some students and faculty are intimidated to use the simulator,” said Jane Winters, associate professor of Nursing, who nominated Pletcher for the award. “Steve always takes that fear away so the focus can be on productive learning. He praises the students and helps us all think critically. Steve is a joy to work with and makes us all want to come back to the lab!”
“Steve is always high-energy, high-enthusiasm, and student centered,” added Jan Wagner, Nursing Department chairperson. “He is always willing to create and participate in activities that will help the students learn.”
The holiday parties are over and now it’s time to get back into shape for the New Year. Columbus State will again be offering the Weight Watchers at Work program with convenient lunch-hour meetings on campus. The open meeting for Winter Quarter will be on Tuesday, January 12, at 11:30 a.m. in WD Room 302. We need a minimum of 20 participants to sign up in order to keep this opportunity for our employees. Joining Weight Watchers at Work also earns points toward the Wellness Incentive program, so it’s a win-win situation for every participant! If you are interested in joining Weight Watchers at Work, or attending the open meeting, email Lou Ann Carman by Monday, January 11.
 |
 |
|
PTK to hold “Power of Purple” Bake Sale January 14 |
||
 |
 |
Phi Theta Kappa is teaming up with the American Cancer Society to raise funds for a cure for cancer. You can help them by purchasing an item at their “Power of Purple” Bake Sale, Thursday, January 14, in Delaware Hall Lobby from noon-2 p.m. Purple is the color that the American Cancer Society has chosen to signify the fight against all cancer.Bring your class to the next Screen ’n’ Speak Jan. 21Once per month, students, staff and faculty members get together to attend Screen ’n’ Speak, a free movie screening and follow-up discussion led by faculty members from across campus. The program is hosted by the Diversity, Travel Abroad and TRiO Programs Department.
The next screening, January 21 from noon to 2 p.m. in the ERC multimedia studio, will feature the movie “February One,” facilitated by Carl Bradwell. Based largely on firsthand accounts and rare archival footage, the film documents one volatile winter in Greensboro, N.C., that not only challenged public accommodation customs and laws in North Carolina, but also served as a blueprint for the wave of nonviolent civil rights protests that swept across the South and the nation in the 1960s. Refreshments will be provided.
Students design holiday cards, win $500
Adam Heineman
with his design, which was used as the President's holiday card.
Stephanie Eldridge with her design, used for the Development Foundation card.
Two Digital Design and Graphics students completed a class project to design holiday cards for Columbus State—and won the top prize of $500 gift certificates to the Columbus State Bookstore for their efforts.
Adam Heineman designed a card that was selected by President Moeller to send to friends of the college, and Stephanie Eldridge designed a card that was selected by the Development Foundation to go out to all college donors. Adam designed his card in his Package Design I class, and Stephanie did her project in Advertising Design I.