DCHS Earns Pathways Certification from State

November 12, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

DCHS is among 74 Tennessee high schools leading the way in the state to become the first to receive a pathways certification from the Tennessee Department of Education.

Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn made the announcement last week.

This certification recognizes strong alignment between high school programs of study offered, postsecondary partners, and high-quality employment opportunities in their region. DCHS was recognized for excelling it its Health Science Pathway.

The department launched the Tennessee Pathways Certification as the K-12 initiative under Tennessee’s Drive to 55 to elevate and celebrate model college and career pathways throughout the state.

“These communities are working together to provide students with the skills they need to succeed beyond high school,” Schwinn said. “Earlier last week, we unveiled the department’s strategic plan, which emphasizes providing quality academic programs, serving the whole child, and developing and supporting our teachers and leaders to ensure that every student is on a path to success. Schools across the state are making this a reality through the Pathways program. I am excited that we are able to recognize their efforts and encourage others to follow their lead.”

Tennessee Pathways is structured around three key elements shown to increase seamless enrollment and success in postsecondary programs:

1. High-quality college and career advisement throughout K-12;
2. Rigorous early postsecondary and work-based learning opportunities in high school; and
3. Seamless vertical alignment between K-12, postsecondary programs, and career opportunities as a result of effective partnerships among school districts, higher education institutions, employers, and community organizations.

These Certified Tennessee Pathways are providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences that lead to in-demand careers. Each pathway was evaluated through a rigorous application process in which schools detailed their postsecondary and employer partnerships, early college and career experiences, and structures for providing students with high-quality career advisement.

All schools serving grades 9-12 in Tennessee were eligible to apply; however, it was encouraged that applicants bridge programming to elementary and middle schools within their school system. More than 400 applications were submitted from 81 school districts across the state. After a comprehensive review, a total of 122 pathways representing 74 high schools received the Tennessee Pathways Certification.

The recipients of the Tennessee Pathways Certification were recognized by Commissioner Schwinn and Chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents, Dr. Flora Tydings, at a formal recognition ceremony during the LEAD Conference.

November 12, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

November 11, 2019
By:

Ryan Vaden was recently named the new Administrator at NHC HealthCare Smithville. Vaden takes over for Clint Hall, who was promoted to Director of Government Relations for NHC.

NHC Smithville is a CMS 5-Star Rated Health Care Center and has had the Highest Customer Satisfaction in the company for the past two years. NHC Smithville has also consistently been a leader in the areas of quality patient care and rehabilitation. NHC Smithville employs over 130 partners with an overall budget of nearly $10 million. NHC Smithville has consistently been voted the “Best of the Best” by readers of the Smithville Review.

“I am truly honored to be able to lead a wonderful healthcare center like NHC Smithville,” Ryan Vaden said. “I trained at NHC Smithville with Clint in 2016 and I am excited to be back. Our dedicated partners are our most important asset and I am glad to be a part of the team and to be a part of Dekalb County. NHC Smithville has a long tradition of providing quality patient care with high customer satisfaction, and I look forward to continuing that practice.”

Vaden previously served as the Administrator of NHC HealthCare Oakwood in Lewisburg, TN. Vaden received his Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University and has pursued his Master of Business Administration from Tennessee Tech University. Vaden has worked for NHC since 2016 and is a graduate of NHC’s Administrator-in-Training program. Vaden completed his AIT Program at NHC Smithville. Prior to NHC, Vaden served as a Field Director for the Boy Scouts of America. Vaden and his wife, Madison, have two children and will make their home in Smithville.

NHC Smithville offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, workers compensation, managed care, and private funds. The inpatient healthcare center offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to adults of all ages on a short-term and continuing care basis. For more information about NHC Smithville, visit www.nhcsmithville.com or call (615) 597-4284.

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