Registered nurse Kathleen McInnis has joined the advisory committee of Southwest Colorado Community College.
“Her experience in curriculum and program development and her knowledge of the health care industry match up with the many health programs SCCC offers,” said the Executive Dean of Southwest Colorado Community College Norm Jones.
Students at Southwest Colorado Community College can earn degrees in medical assistant, Nursing, Radiologic Technology and certificates in emergency medical technician (EMT), nurse aide, medical assistant and paramedic.
McInnis was invited to join the college’s advisory committee due to her proven experience and knowledge. She is currently the Executive Director of the Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center, a post she has held since 2012. The organization serves residents in Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, San Miguel and Ouray counties.
As executive director, she leads the Durango based organization in carrying out community health projects. These include providing support to health professionals and students in the form of encouraging middle and high school students to pursue health careers; an internship program; providing service-learning projects for graduate level health professional students, where the organization houses and places students in rural clinic rotations throughout the region; as well as providing continuing education and support for current health professionals.
In a past position at San Juan Basin Health Department, McInnis helped launch the successful Community Care Team of the Southwest, a community-based nurse navigation program.
McInnis completed her Master of Science in Community Health Nursing from the University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center in 1994 and has a depth of experience, which includes working in pediatrics, school health, outpatient clinics, nurse-home visitor programs, lactation education and public health.
McInnis will work alongside 12 community members already on the college’s Advisory Committee.
“I strongly value post high school education from a community health perspective--for the individual and for the community,” McInnis said.
Southwest Colorado Community College is a branch of Pueblo Community College and serves residents in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties in Southwest Colorado. The college provides education and training in academic, career and technical fields.
Students can take courses in areas as diverse as auto mechanics, welding, cosmetology, medical assistant, nurse aide and law enforcement at the West Campus in Mancos and nursing, radiology technician, EMS and nurse aide at the East Campus in Durango.
