Polk State-Trained Paramedic: “The Patient Always Comes First”
Gov. Rick Scott has declared Jan. 5-9 First Responder Appreciation Week. Polk State College commends and thanks all those working in the public safety field. Here, News@Polk highlights Jared vanHoek, a firefighter/paramedic with Polk County…
Commencement Countdown: Graduates Will Carry the Hopes and Dreams of Their Families Across the Stage
Polk State College will celebrate its 111th commencement ceremony Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at The Lakeland Center. As graduation nears, News@Polk will profile graduates to learn more about the paths they took to the…
Polk PTA Alumnus Jorge Espinosa: Restoring Functionality and Hope
While studying at Polk State College, Jorge Espinosa learned all the textbook knowledge for his new career as a physical therapist assistant, but more importantly, he learned when to put his textbooks aside. “I remember…
Polk State Airside Center Hosting Open House Oct. 23; Learn More About Medical Imaging, Coding and Transcription, and Aerospace
Polk State’s Airside Center will host an open house Oct. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. for anyone interested in learning more about the programs housed at the location. Polk State Airside is home to…
Respiratory Care Alumna Says Program Allowed Her to Start a Career and Family on Her Terms
Ammany Shihaibar knew where she wanted to end up in life, and with help from Polk State, she got there, right on time. “If it hadn’t been for Polk State and the Respiratory Care program,”…
Polk Nursing Alum Delivers “I Actually Do Care” to Patients at LRMC’s Emergency Department
When Greg Baisden thinks about the difference he gets to make for patients every day, he thinks about an elderly woman, her daughter, and his cell phone. Not too long ago, Baisden, a Registered Nurse…
Polk State Grad Finds Fulfillment Each Day in Work as Paramedic
Two pivotal years and a Polk State degree set Margaret Orozco on a path she never thought possible, and in following it, she’s found fulfillment she never could have imagined. “I love coming to work,” said…
Polk State Student Makes Club History with Win at National Competition
For the first time, a Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate student has placed first in a national competition for aspiring health professionals. In late June, HOSA (Health Occupations Student Association) held its annual National…
“Father of EMS” Makes Textbook Come to Life for Polk Students
An education is built over time, assignment by assignment, lecture by lecture, course by course, semester by semester. Between registration and graduation, every day of a student’s education is a building block, a pivotal piece…
Commencement Countdown: Grads Have Found Strong Start, Passion and Their Own Potential at Polk
Polk’s spring commencement will take place at 6:30 p.m. on May 8 at The Lakeland Center. Prior to the ceremony, news@polk is profiling graduates, telling the stories of how they got to the commencement stage and…