Massage Therapy and Pharmacy Technician students participate in Patient Partnership Program at Fennell campus
The Patient Partnership Program aims to build a community of patients and caregivers with unique experiences gained through living with a condition or illness, receiving treatment, or supporting a loved one. These experiences are shared with students to enrich their learning and increase their preparation to enter a healthcare profession.
On April 1, students in the Massage Therapy program attended a presentation offered by the Patient Partnership Program. The presentation featured the experiences of Jim Hemrica, a retired nurse and client of Mohawk’s Massage Therapy teaching clinic located at St. Elizabeth Village. Jim emphasized the exceptional anatomy and physiology training of students in the Massage Therapy program. He also acknowledged the strong communication skills of students, especially their ability to explain treatment plans, including home exercises completed between treatment sessions.
The presentation provided an opportunity for students in the Massage Therapy program to learn about the personal and professional experiences of a regulated health professional. It also provided the opportunity for students in this program to interact with students in another School of Health program, the Pharmacy Technician program. Having the students from both programs involved in the presentation allowed the discussion period to focus on topics including preventative care, interprofessional health teams, pain management, and addiction.
The value of students learning in an interprofessional environment is explained by Pharmacy Technician Coordinator, Angela Roach: “Awareness and understanding of what other professions provide patients is key to comprehensive and quality care.”
The presentation highlighted the important role that Registered Massage Therapists play in our community and the professional standards required of a regulated healthcare professional. According to Massage Therapy Clinical Coordinator, Vivian Armas: “The Patient Partnership Program promotes awareness of massage therapy, reinforcing the role of Registered Massage Therapists as accountable, regulated professionals within the broader healthcare community.”