Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) is proud to announce a new student education affiliation agreement with The College of The Florida Keys (CFK). This agreement will provide valuable, real life, on the job training for nursing students in Monroe County. This as the two organizations are teaming up to meet market demands and address nationwide shortages in the healthcare sector.
“This partnership will allow the college to expand the nursing program and explore the possibility of additional programs in the future,” said Mark Roby, Dean of Sciences and Nursing at The College of the Florida Keys.
The partnership, with the college’s nursing program, will provide students with practical experience at CHI’s Marathon and Tavernier Health Centers, and an opportunity to serve the communities in which they live.
CHI’s Brodes H. Hartley Jr. Teaching Health Center has been training the next generation of healthcare professionals for years. This agreement extends that rich educational opportunity to nursing students in the Keys.
“Our vision is to serve as a teaching center of excellence for healthcare professionals,” said Brodes H. Hartley, Jr., President and CEO of CHI. “Many of the students that train with us return to work for CHI. That’s a compliment and testament to our work culture and the quality of our experience. This agreement will help us to strengthen those ties with The College of the Florida Keys and the Monroe County communities.”
Both organizations have been serving the community for approximately 50 years and both have footprints in Key West, Marathon and Tavernier. The College of the Florida Keys is an institution providing higher education and workforce training opportunities, while embracing island life.
“Real-world training is a critical component of the educational experience for all students,” said Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, President and CEO of CFK. “Our partnership with Community Health of South Florida, Inc. expands opportunities for our student nurses in a field where mistakes can cost lives. The ability to have future nurses hone their skills through hands-on experiences is invaluable. We look forward to seeing CFK student nurses take on the challenges of working in CHI health centers and making a positive impact on the health of our communities.”
The partnership between CHI and The College of the Florida Keys is effective immediately, with the first wave of students from the college expected to begin their work at CHI’s Marathon and Tavernier centers early this fall.
