Passionate Advocate, Devoted Friend: Polk State Mourns Trustee Linda Pilkington
Linda Pilkington, a dedicated member since 2011 of the Polk State District Board of Trustees, which she chaired in 2013-2014, and who dedicated her life’s work to the health and wellbeing of the Polk County…
Polk State College Nursing Students: Learning High Impact Communication Skills
Every semester, Polk State’s nursing program students participate in the “Communication/Well, Older Adult Nursing Lab.” Volunteers over the age of 65 visit the campus to meet with first semester nursing students to share their insights…
Polk State EMS Student Makes History as Davenport’s First Full-Time Female Firefighter
Currently studying in Polk State’s Emergency Medical Services program: A history maker. Jessica Spell, who is pursuing her Associate in Science in EMS, was pinned as the Davenport Fire Department’s first full-time female firefighter…
A Patent and a No-Cell-Phone Policy: Five Things You Didn’t Know About EMS Program Director Don Guillette
Let’s get this straight from the start: Don Guillette did not want this article to be written. In fact, the very behind-the-scenes director of Polk State’s Emergency Medical Services program is dreading seeing his face…
Polk State EMS Honors Its Instructor of the Year
For his professionalism and demonstrated dedication to his students, the Polk State EMS program has selected James Maxwell as its Instructor of the Year. “He’s the kind of instructor who goes home and makes a…
Nursing Alumnus Started Over at Polk State — And He’d Do It All Again
Like so many students do every semester, Thomas Stross came to Polk State College to start over, and like so many students find, doing so wasn’t easy. He had to let go of who he…
Two Years in a Row: Polk State Alumnus Named Manatee County EMS Rookie of the Year
For the second consecutive year, a Polk State alumnus has been named Manatee County Emergency Medical Services’ Rookie of the Year. Earl Kulpa completed his paramedic certification at Polk State in 2014. In May,…
The Man Outside the Cath Lab: Six things You Didn’t Know about Cardiovascular Program Director Kevin Ferrier
As director of Polk State’s Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) program, which prepares students to assist physicians in such highly complicated procedures as catheterizations and stenting, Kevin Ferrier is used to sharing his academic and professional credentials.…
House, Car, Confidence: Polk State Nursing Made All Three Possible for This Alumna
The difference Polk State College makes in the lives of its students is often expressed in numbers: At $112 per credit hour, Polk State offers the region’s most affordable tuition. Eighty percent of students graduate…
For Polk State-Trained EMT, Career Plan B “Happened for a Reason”
When her application to medical school was rejected, a lot of thoughts went through Ada Bobola’s head: Maybe if I’d studied a little harder. Maybe if I’d gotten a B in chemistry instead of a…