Front Row: Heather Evenson, April Herrera, Kerry DeGroot, Anne Kallas, Dr. Marylou Mercado, Sandra Kirchner, Dr. Andrea Dobogai; Second Row: Michele Mengert, Heidi Martin, Mary Scheuermann, Kelly Shafaie, Chris Frederick; Third Row: Vicki Nelson, Cathy Bosch, Nikki Repp-Butzke, Barb Brown, Melissa Rodriguez, Danyel Giacomini; Fourth Row: Jamie Zwicky, Casey Truse, Karrie Bruegman-May, Heddy Pahnke, Kimberly Mueller, and Laura Glass. Missing from photo: Grace Rommelfanger.

The 2017-18 academic year is coming to a close for the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Moraine Park Technical College. The Nursing team held their final meeting on Friday, May 11, 2018, in Fond du Lac. They gathered for lunch prior to the meeting and shared all the great accomplishments that took place over the year. The team has much to celebrate!

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Meet Becky Henne, a soon-to-be graduate of the Moraine Park medical assistant program. She currently lives in Waupun with her husband and together they have five children and three grandchildren! Her hobbies include camping, walking, being outdoors, and spending time with her family.

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Life is too short not to love what you do. That was the exact mindset that brought Joseph (Joey) Jaeger to Moraine Park Technical College in 2016.

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For many high school graduates, it’s four-year university or bust. This was the mindset that Moraine Park Technical College nursing student Jonathan Szczesny had as he considered his college career. He had his sights set on a UW System school, but after realizing the opportunities and financial practicality of Moraine Park, his mind was changed.

Enrolling at a technical college meant that he could not only earn his degree faster, but immediately enter the workforce and even work toward other degrees and certifications while working in the field he loves: Nursing.

“I chose to pursue an education in nursing because I believe it is a rewarding career in that I can help maintain a patient’s dignity in their time of need, as well as provide them with the highest quality of care,” Szczesny said. “I also considered that this career choice is in high demand with immense opportunities to grow and explore related disciplines.”

Szczesny recently completed his first core semester on the Dean’s List and is accepted into the nursing program at Moraine Park’s Beaver Dam campus. Following graduation, Szczesny plans to work in the field as an RN, immediately return to school and earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and possibly pursue a career with the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.

Like so many high school students, a trade school education was not on Szczesny’s radar. However, between the cost savings, small class sizes and dedicated staff, he encourages students to consider a technical college.

“A technical college is a great choice for both new high school graduates and working individuals looking to advance themselves in the workforce,” Szczesny said.

With acceptance into the core nursing program under his belt, Szczesny is ready to take on the remainder of his educational career at Moraine Park by storm and urges high school students preparing for college to not immediately discredit a small technical school.

“It is important to give schools like Moraine Park their fair shake and maintain an open mind about the benefits that they have to offer,” he said. “Think of the big picture when choosing a school for post-secondary education… Your schooling is what you make of it. What you put in is what you will get out.”

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Are you curious about Reiki, balancing your chakras and other alternative approaches to well-being?  Reiki is a Japanese form of stress reduction and deep relaxation that helps to strengthen the immune system and promote healing for just about anyone. This hands-on healing is effective for emotional, mental and physical health issues and is currently being practiced at 800 hospitals and clinics throughout the United States. What about chakras, do know what they are?  Chakras are the centers of your spiritual powers inside the human body.  These energy centers help regulate all processes of the body, from organ function, the immune system, and emotions. Intrigued in learning more yet?  MPTC is offering a varierty of Health and Wellness courses this spring to help you try a new approach to your health in 2018, all taught by John Oestreicher.

John is a business owner of Hands on Healing Energy and practices Reiki full-time.  He was a past teacher of health and wellness courses in the UW-System offering health and wellness courses and workshops to individuals, organizations and businesses.  John has been practicing meditation and mind/body connections for over 30 years and has received certifications as a Reiki Master/Teacher, Lo Ho Chi, and Star Medicine.  He has also earned his certificate in Reconnective Healing.

John will be offering a new class this April called Reiki Level 1 – Health Care.  This unique class for health care providers allows students to learn stress reduction techniques for emotional, mental and the physical health of their patients.

If you are interested in learning more about alternative approaches to your well-being, see a full listing of health and wellness classes here.

On March 13, 2018, Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club kids in grades 5-11 were excited to meet and learn with Moraine Park Medical Assistant students!

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From left to right: Queenie Weesen, MPTC Nursing Student; Anne Lemke, MPTC Experiential Learning Coordinator; Jose Bustos, MPTC IT Student.

Wisconsin Campus Compact annually gives out awards to recognize those who have shown excellence in civic engagement. Winners of Wisconsin and national awards were honored at the annual WiCC Civic Engagement Institute, March 8-9, 2018 at UW-Whitewater.

Congratulations to Moraine Park students Jose Bustos, winner of the Jack Keating Student Civic Leadership Award, and Queenie Weesen, winner of the Newman Civic Fellows Award! Continue reading

Albert Einstein is known to say, “The only source of knowledge is experience” and there is much experience to gain while preparing for a future career. Students of the medical assistant program develop the skills to take medical histories, record vital signs, prepare patients for examination, collect and prepare laboratory specimens, perform basic laboratory tests, draw blood and instruct patients about medications or special diets. Medical office specialist students perform administrative tasks such as billing and insurance, greeting patients on the phone and in person, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments and updating patient records. At Moraine Park Technical College, students prepare for their upcoming careers outside of the traditional classroom. Continue reading

Moraine Park is very proud to announce our 2018-19 Newman Civic Fellow, Queenie Weesen!

Queenie says, “Becoming a Nurse, I want to give elderly and hospice patients, quality care, kindness and compassion. I teach my children, education and helping your community is essential for success. As a child, I sometimes escaped to the roof of my grandma’s house, watching the airport planes flying overheard and told myself, ‘One day I will fly! In America you can fly!’” Continue reading