Local

Eastern Gateway students pass with 100% testing rates

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters
Over 8,500 students received their diplomas from Eastern Gateway Community College this year
Over 8,500 students received their diplomas from Eastern Gateway Community College this year Jess Willard Eastern Gateway Community College

More than 8,000 graduates celebrated completing their degrees at Eastern Gateway Community College.

Many of the students are receiving extra commendation for their accomplishments in the future of health care.

Practical Nursing graduates set for placement after school

All the students in Eastern Gateway Community College’s Practical Nursing (PN) program passed the National Council Licensure Examination on the first try.

Jennifer Salyard, PN program director at Eastern Gateway Community College, explained what this means for the graduates entering the professional world.

“We are so proud of our students once again all passing the National Council Licensure Examination. This means they are ready to step into good paying jobs immediately after graduation,” she said. “Ohio, like much of the country, is facing a nursing shortage, and nearly 100 percent of our nursing graduates are filling those positions. And many are staying right here in Northeast Ohio.”

Michael Geoghegan, president of Eastern Gateway Community College, said it’s all part of preparing for the future of health care.

“Nurses are frontline heroes, providing critical care to our communities and our state’s most vulnerable. We are so thankful to be able to give our students the practical schooling they need to go out into our community as proud healthcare heroes. We can’t wait to meet the new class of Practical Nursing students enrolling in the fall semester as they embark on a journey to a successful future,” said Geoghegan.

Students in Dental Auxilary program pass with full marks

This past May, all of the students enrolled in the Eastern Gateway Community College’s Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) program passed the written and clinical exams with full marks.

“Our program is on a winning streak,” said Tammy Graham, Eastern Gateway Dental Assisting Program Director. “We still have bragging rights as our EFDA program still has a 100 percent pass rate and that’s because we have hardworking students who are dedicated to excellence.”

They were tested in person by members of the Commission on Dental Testing in Stuebenville.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the bright and talented students in our dental auxiliary program. Their hard work and persistence has paid off. Each student in the program passed both the written and clinical exams!” said Geoghegan. “Pam Kearney, our EFDA instructor, is remarkable and her students shine as a result. For the last 14 years, every student in the EFDA program has passed these exams. It’s incredible and we can’t wait to see what their futures bring.”

For more information about programs at Eastern Gateway, visit their website.

Read Next

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Get the latest Mahoning Valley news in your email inbox weekday mornings. Sign up here for our free daily newsletter.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here’s how you can support Mahoning Matters.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow Mahoning Matters on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

This story was originally published June 8, 2023 at 4:00 AM.