Our Lady of the Lake Health Partners with Baton Rouge Community College to Develop an Accelerated MA to LPN Associate Degree Program
December 29, 2022
BATON ROUGE, LA – Our Lady of the Lake Health (OLOL) has partnered with Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) to build a program that allows Our Lady of the Lake medical assistants (MAs) a clear and accelerated pathway to obtain an associate degree and become licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Our Lady of the Lake Health aims to ensure that the needs of the local community are met by investing in a highly skilled and diverse team of individuals.
"This program provides not only our team members new opportunities to advance their careers, but it also provides members of our community greater access to patient care by broadening our workforce," says Nicole Telhiard, Our Lady of the Lake Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services.
The new BRCC associate program and partnership allows Our Lady of the Lake medical assistants to further their education at an accelerated pace while continuing to grow their careers.
"It is through innovative programs such as this that the health system helps team members better serve their communities by providing opportunities to further their education and advance in their career paths," says Latina Schaffer, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System VP Talent Strategy & Chief Diversity Officer.
The first cohort to complete this program is made up of six Our Lady of the Lake clinic team members. These team members were able to earn their new associate degree in 18 months, compared to the two years an average program would take to complete. Upon graduation, these team members will be promoted within their clinic from MAs to LPNs. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, December 15 at Magnolia Theatre in Baton Rouge.
Our Lady of the Lake is a part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS), which remains committed to the continued support and development of team members. FMOLHS has plans to expand these efforts by introducing similar educational opportunities across all five of the health system's markets.
The BRCC Accelerated MA to LPN Associate Degree Program is available exclusively to FMOLHS employees. If you are interested in joining the FMOLHS team visit fmolhs.org/careers.
About Our Lady of the Lake Health
Our Lady of the Lake Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With an 800-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated Children’s Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 600+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit ololrmc.com.