PT Instructor Liz Paly (in lift) serves as a "patient" during this demonstration of how to use the new health equipment with a representative of the donor company, Guldmann Inc. Student Nicole Jandre (right) learns about the functions of the new lift. Alumna Tricia Jaworski (’99) understands the value of giving back to your alma mater. Because of her connections through her work with Wisconsin System Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) Network, the lives of healthcare students at Concordia University Wisconsin and their patients will be transformed.
Jaworski, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy at CUW, serves as the System SPHM program manager for Advocate Aurora Health. She also co-chairs the Wisconsin SPHM Network, a non-profit group of like-minded individuals who have some aspect of their job related to SPHM.
During one of the WI SPHM Network conferences Jaworski hosted, she invited representatives of Guldmann Inc, a medical equipment supplier, to present on SPHM topics and showcase their equipment.
“Through the WI SPHM Network collaboration and the mission of Guldmann as a company, Guldmann offered to donate a ceiling lift to help integrate ceiling lift technology and SPHM training into curriculum at CUW,” Jaworski said. “Dr. Linda Samuel (dean of the School of Health Professions) was approached about the donation offer, and she embraced the opportunity.”
1999 alumna Tricia Jaworski
The lift, valued at about $10,000, has been recently installed on campus and discussions are taking place to decide the details about integrating it into the curriculum.
“This ceiling lift and SPHM education integration will help prepare current healthcare students to embrace the technology. It will prepare students for the future, and take their education to the next level,” Jaworski said. “CUW students will be able to practice use of the lift with other students; prevent themselves from being an injury statistic in the future; and use the lift to mobilize their community patients safely.”
She continued: “Students are potentially able to treat patients from the community who may not have been able to come to the clinic without this type of lift. Many healthcare organizations have ceiling lifts installed and this will be a seamless transition from education to practice with the use of SPHM tools. If a CUW student finds themselves working for an organization that does not have this type of technology, they can use their training and experience from CUW to advocate for the purchase of this type of lift to improve their safety as well their patients’ safety.”
There are many ways to give to Concordia. Jaworski, who also serves on CUW’s Alumni Advisory Council, said if she can give back to her alma mater, she will. In this case, her connections were the impetus for this significant gift.
“This lift can (also) be a great recruitment tool for the School of Health Professions,” she said. “I am so grateful for Guldmann donating the lift and CUW accepting. This lift will enhance skills and knowledge as well as allow the integration of SPHM tools and technology into curriculum, setting CUW apart from other schools.”
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