College, CaroMont Health Earn Excellence Award

Gaston College and CaroMont were recognized last month for their excellence.

According to the college’s information office, Gaston College and CaroMont Health were both honored by the North Carolina Community College System and the N.C. State Board of Community Colleges as the recipients of the Distinguished Partners in Excellence Award for 2023. This award “recognizes an exemplary employer, business or industry group that has demonstrated decisive involvement and firm commitment to the professional development of its employees and/or to the development of North Carolina’s work force through its partnership efforts with one or more of the 58 community colleges in the North Carolina Community College System.”

Dr. William Carver, the college system’s interim president, extended his congratulations to the winners of the award statewide.

“And I thank you for your tremendous effort and impact in making North Carolina community colleges successful,” Carver added.

The long-standing partnership between Gaston College and CaroMont Health has been beneficial to the two entities, as well as to the Gaston County community. Collaboration with the Gaston County Schools resulted in the development of a health science academy at East Gaston High School, now in its fourth year, and the Gaston County Early College of Medical Sciences, which launched in August, 2021. Students at the academy and at the early college have active learning opportunities and complete high school and college coursework, earning certificates or diplomas in various health care professions.

The partnership has resulted in the expansion of clinical simulation for Gaston College students and the larger health care community, as well as the addition of new health care programs to meet industry needs. CaroMont Health and the CaroMont Health Foundation have provided funding, and the college has provided training to CaroMont employees and other health care providers. Many students who have completed health care programs at Gaston College now have positions with CaroMont Health.

The close relationship between Gaston College and CaroMont Health has effected a large number of health care apprentices who, through the college’s Apprenticeship 321 program, have received a tuition-free education and on-the-job training at CaroMont Health facilities. In 2022, CaroMont Health and the college began a 20-person practical nursing apprenticeship that is the only one in North Carolina. New educational and training pathways are being discussed for the near future, according to Gaston College President Dr. John Hauser.

And Hauser recently said his institution was honored to have been recognized by the college system and the State Board of Community Colleges.

“Our strong partnership with CaroMont Health has sparked many innovations and advances in the quality of health care service in the region and will continue to do so,” he added.

CaroMont President and CEO Chris Peek also commented.

“The future of the health care work force depends on innovative career pathways and student-centered education programs,” said Peek. “Our partnership with Gaston College is a source of pride for the organization and a source of immense opportunity for our community. We are honored to be recognized for this important work.”

The Distinguished Partners in Excellence Award was established 17 years ago. Gaston College and Pharr Yarns of McAdenville earned the award in 2010.