On 11th April 2024, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and the Millennium Heights Medical Complex celebrated a significant milestone as they officially solidified a collaborative agreement aimed at elevating clinical education standards and optimizing student experiences within healthcare settings. This agreement, effective immediately, signifies a joint commitment to fostering excellence in education and creating unparalleled opportunities for student growth and development.
Over the past three years, the OKEUH has collaborated closely with the College, specifically through its Department of Health, Wellness, and Human Performance, providing invaluable access to our clinical facilities and resources. This partnership has not only facilitated instruction, guidance, and an enriching educational experience for nursing students but has also expanded to include other Health Occupations Courses such as Health Aide certification, Nurse-Midwifery Diplomas, Diplomas in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Bachelor of Science Degree in General Nursing. Our dedicated nurse supervisors have played a pivotal role in providing hands-on supervision, guidance, and feedback to both students and the College, ensuring the fulfillment of matriculation requirements and supporting their own career development.
This agreement between Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and Millennium Heights Medical Complex underscores the importance of these special relationships and solidifies the rights and responsibilities of both institutions. Moving forward, the College will work closely with the Nursing Administration of Millennium Heights Medical Complex to meticulously schedule clinical rotations, with evaluations conducted by experienced clinical instructors from the college, thereby maintaining rigorous standards aligned with regulatory bodies, the General Nursing Council of Saint Lucia, in collaboration with the Liaison Committee of Nursing Education, is paramount to ensure program sustainability and excellence.
Chairperson Mrs. Joanna M. Raynold Arthurton expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are exceedingly happy to work with the College in the future development of this Work-Study programme, which can sustain a dedicated flow of graduates, as trainees who can matriculate to fully Registered Nurses after gaining full registration with the Saint Lucia Nursing Council. This graduation from an apprentice/graduate to an independent practitioner would be seamless, offering limitless opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals.”
CEO Dr. Dexter James emphasized, “The MoU demonstrates what could be achieved if stakeholders with different views and mandates work together for the common good. The evolution of this Work-Study initiative is testimony to such collaboration, showcasing the transformative power of partnership in advancing education and healthcare.”
This milestone formalizes arrangements between the Medical Complex and the College for the continued provision of access to our clinical facilities and resources, instruction, guidance, and an unparalleled educational experience for nursing students in Health Occupations Courses such as the Bachelor of Science Degree in General Nursing.