New healthcare center expected to double graduation rates at Lakeshore Technical College

CLEVELAND, Wis. (WLUK) -- Lakeshore Technical College is taking steps to address the ongoing healthcare worker shortage with a new healthcare excellence center, which is expected to double graduation rates.

"Exciting new opportunities for me and my fellow students and the future of nursing," said Sandra Hyer, the 2023 State Ambassador for LTC and Associate Nursing Program student.

Construction on the new 17,000-square-foot Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Healthcare Excellence Facility is set to begin on June 1.

"We will train registered nurses, L.P.N.'s, C.N.A.'s, medical assistants, ophthalmic assistants and radiographers," said LTC President Paul Carlsen.

LTC's goal is to do its part to help meet the local, state-wide and national challenges of the workforce shortage in the healthcare field.

"We teach all the way through the registered nursing program," said LTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Kristy Liphart. "So, students are job ready right when they graduate."

Liphart says healthcare jobs are some of the highest paying in the area with nursing salaries starting as high as $70,000.

The technical college has supported three levels of nursing since 1986. This renovation and expansion is predicted to almost double graduation rates amongst students, giving them real-world experience across industries.

"We'll be able to practice a full scenario with the pressure of a real emergency, including our police and fire and paramedic. They will understand what it's like to enter a hospital situation during a crisis," added Liphart.

Hyer is working towards her degree at LTC and hopes to soon specialize in dementia care. She says she looks forward to experiencing these hands-on opportunities in a safe school setting.

"Hopefully, that broadens the job opportunities for us in the future -- plus, for the employers, better candidates to fill those very important roles," she added.

The program has also partnered with local and state-wide organizations to raise more than $200,000 in scholarships for its healthcare students.

"We were able to fund this new center for healthcare excellence through a very successful $5 million capital campaign -- the largest in the college's history," said Carlsen. "And we are very proud of the support of our community in helping us get here."