COA Foundation announces The Outer Banks Hospital as lead partner

Ronnie Sloan, president, The Outer Banks Hospital (left); Dr. Jack Bagwell, president, College of The Albemarle; and Robin Harris, dean, Health Sciences and Wellness Programs, COA. [submitted photo]

The College of The Albemarle Foundation has announced The Outer Banks Hospital as a lead partner in the Foundation’s emerging capital campaign to support outfitting of new spaces and emerging programs at COA.

In December, Dare County and COA held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new COA-Dare academic building. Within the 36,000 square foot facility will be a designated wing that will house the College’s Health Sciences programs.

COA and The Outer Banks Hospital have retained a well-established partnership for a number of years, and students in COA’s nursing and allied health programs participate in clinical experiences at the hospital and its facilities.

Upon completion of their program, students may have the opportunity to enter the workforce in Dare County.

The commitment of The Outer Banks Hospital to COA’s new construction is a direct investment in the future of the health care opportunities in Dare County.

Robin Harris, dean, Health Sciences and Wellness Programs at COA, expressed her appreciation for The Outer Banks Hospital’s generosity toward the Health Sciences programs.

“COA Health Sciences has enjoyed our long-term partnership and the many clinical and preceptorship experiences they provide for a variety of our Nursing and Allied Health program students. Programs such as Associate Degree Nursing, Surgical Technology, Medical Lab Technology, Phlebotomy, Emergency Medical Services and Medical Assisting have benefited greatly by being able to offer local access to clinical rotations for Dare County residents to complete their degrees. Our use of their facility and medical clinics year after year helps us to continue to meet the health care workforce needs for the areas served. We look forward to further collaborations and new health care education initiatives with The Outer Banks Hospital at the new COA-Dare facility.”

“COA has helped me tremendously,” said Lexie Brindle, a medical technologist at the hospital. “I was able to obtain positions and move up from phlebotomist, to medical laboratory technician, to medical technologist thanks to my COA classes. The college also provided me an adjunct instructor opportunity teaching Phlebotomy and Medical Laboratory Technology classes. The teachers and colleagues I have worked with at COA are always very supportive and do everything they can to help you succeed.”

“We are thrilled to partner with COA and create this opportunity for the future healthcare professionals of Dare County,” noted Ronnie Sloan, FACHE, TOBH president.

For more information about the ongoing emerging capital campaign, contact Amy Alcocer, executive director, COA Foundation at 252-335-0821, ext. 2263 or amy_alcocer68@albemarle.edu.

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