Success in sports requires teamwork with each player understanding their roles as well as knowing how to help their teammates in order to achieve victory.  For Lauren Millard it’s an approach that she carries over to her role as a student enrolled in the Health Career Certification program through Indian Capital Technology Center on the Sallisaw campus.

“It’s a perfect match for me because I’m a student that enjoys learning by doing,” explained the Vian senior who also is a member of the Wolverines softball team. “The classroom is like softball practice and the real-life situations are like a game where the outcome is more important than the final score.”

The one-year program at ICTC offers a variety of options for the students.

“The curriculum includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, long term care and the readiness to get complete their CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) requirements,” said program instructor Leah Agent. “A lot of the students use the learn-by-doing advantages as a foundation for their education on their way to a career in health care.”

For Millard, who will play college softball at Carl Albert State College after graduation, it’s continuing a family tradition as well as taking steps to her future ambitions.

“Several members of my family have been involved in nursing. I’m planning to pursue a career in sports medicine and coaching and the HCC program gives me the advanced training I need for the future.”

Agent confirms the Wolverines catcher has a good grasp of the program and is ready to enter the lineup going forward.

“Lauren has worked hard to complete the assignments including overcoming the limitations of Covid protocols to master the skills including vital signs, CPR and ambulating patients.”

The real life classroom experience is something that sets ICTC at the top of students’ learning options.

“Every student should explore the programs here,” said Millard. “Because you’re not sitting on the sidelines, you’re in the game and that makes learning fun.”