From Staff Reports

AMERICUS — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and Albany Technical College (ATC) recently signed a Pathway Memorandum of Understanding that is designed to ensure a smooth transition from associate degree programs at ATC to GSW’s new Long-Term Care Management (LTCM) program.
Through the Pathway Program agreement, all students interested in a Career Pathway in healthcare can continue online and/or classroom settings. ATC graduates who have completed the appropriate degree (associate of science in nursing, associate of applied science in medical assisting, associate of applied science in business healthcare technology) courses that are required in the LTCM curriculum can take advantage of this opportunity.
“We are excited to partner with Albany Technical College in educating the caregivers our aging and disabled communities desperately need,” said GSW President Neal Weaver. “We hope that in simplifying the transition from institution to institution, more students are encouraged to pursue long-term care as a career.”
“Our nation has a growing number of older adults and individuals with disabilities,” said GSW Associate Dean and Professor Leisa Easom, Ph.D. “The LTCM degree addresses the multi-disciplinary elements in education and training required in the preparation of our healthcare workforce today to meet the needs of these populations.”
Unique to the GSW campus is the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) where the creation of this degree began. In prior years, Easom served as the RCI executive director and experienced firsthand how families across the nation are struggling to connect with community resources that would enable the disabled family member to remain in their home, navigate the health care system, and/or transition from hospital to home as well as residential settings.
“This Pathway agreement opens up opportunities for our students to continue their education,” said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, president of Albany Technical College. “We are committed to the local community and want to create a robust, skilled workforce. Allowing students to resume their education with online and classroom choices after they have successfully completed an associate degree at Albany Technical College is an important advancement to achieve this goal.”
Graduates with the LTCM degree will have the managerial, budgetary and communication skills critical to the health management field. The degree prepares graduates to assist patients and families to connect with community resources, transition from hospital to home, and manage the care of residents in an institutional setting.