330 Individuals Trained to Administer Naloxone at HCC Health Sciences Division Event
Through a partnership with Howard County Health Department and Howard Community College (HCC), 330 HCC health sciences students, employees, and members of the community were certified to administer naloxone, commonly known as Narcan and used to reverse an opioid overdose, at a training event held as part of the college’s Health Sciences Division Spirit Day on September 17.
“A lot of people don’t think of prescription opioids as being part of the epidemic,” says Liesele Wood, behavior health outreach and prevention coordinator and overdose response program coordinator for the Howard County Health Department, who led the opioid awareness and naloxone administration training session. “HCC’s health care students are going to be on the front lines, so we want to make sure they have a better awareness of the opioid epidemic and how to respond to an overdose.”
“This is the second year we have partnered with Howard County Health Department for this important training,” added Dr. Georgene Butler, dean of the health sciences division at Howard Community College. “We are trying to do our part to address opioid addiction issues in our community by providing our students, staff, faculty, and community the opportunity to learn about opioid addiction and preparing them to administer naloxone.”
Health Sciences Spirit Day is a kick-off to the fall semester, and designed to bring newly enrolled health sciences students together to learn about resources on and off campus. Local health care agencies, employers, along with four-year colleges are present to provide information, answer questions, and offer insight on preparing for careers or advanced education. Buddy Cunningham, graduate of the diagnostic medical sonography program, returned as a guest speaker to offer inspiring words to students at the event.
The Health Sciences Division at Howard Community College offers programs in a variety of nursing and allied health care fields, including cardiovascular technology, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography, emergency medical services, health promotion and human performance, medical laboratory technician, nursing, physical therapy assistant, and radiologic technology.