Prairie State College Showcases Booming Allied Health and Emergency Services Programs

Article Summary: Prairie State College’s (PSC) Allied Health and Emergency Services division is experiencing a period of significant growth and success, marked by high student pass rates, expanding programs, and major facility upgrades. College leaders highlighted these achievements as crucial for meeting both workforce demands and increasing student interest in high-demand healthcare and public safety careers.

Allied Health Program Success Key Points:

• The Nursing Program boasts a 94% pass rate on the NCLEX national licensure exam.

• The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program has achieved a 100% board pass rate for its graduates.

• A new Paramedic Program launched in Fall 2024 with 30 students and is already slated to expand to 52 students in future cohorts.

• Major capital projects, including a new Fire Science “Burn Tower” and a renovated Surgical Technology lab, are near completion to support hands-on training.

Prairie State College’s healthcare and emergency services programs are thriving, with leaders on Tuesday detailing a series of successes that include exceptional student outcomes, program expansions, and the completion of key training facilities.

During the Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Andy Binanti, Dean of Allied Health and Emergency Services, presented a “Pioneering Practice” update that showcased the division as one of the college’s fastest-growing and most modern areas.

“Allied Health has really been focused on expansion within our division, and we’ve been very successful so far,” Binanti told the board. “I think the data on our performance has really allowed us the opportunity.”

The Nursing Program was a standout, achieving a 94% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a critical benchmark for graduates entering the field. College President Dr. Michael D. Anthony also introduced Dr. Antigone Kokalias as the new Director of Nursing. In response to high demand, the college will launch an evening nursing program in the fall of 2025.

Similarly, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program was lauded for its graduates achieving a perfect 100% pass rate on their board exams, making it one of the college’s largest programs for completers.

The college is also making significant strides in emergency services. A new Paramedic Program, launched in Fall 2024 with an inaugural class of 30 students, has been so successful that it is already expanding to accommodate 52 students in future cohorts. To support this growth, the college is hiring a new full-time faculty member.

In the Fire Science Program, a new “Burn Tower” for live-fire training is nearing completion. When asked for an update by Board Chair Camiella Williams, Chief Financial Officer Cathy Svetanoff reported the tower is expected to be finished by late April or early May, pending weather and the installation of a water meter by the Village of Matteson.

Other programs are seeing similar investment and demand. The Dental Hygiene program, which features a state-of-the-art dental clinic, is seeing application numbers double its available cohort size, prompting the college to explore expansion options and develop a new dental hygiene simulation. The Surgical Technology Program has also seen growing demand and recently completed a lab remodel to support its expansion goals.

President Anthony praised the division’s success. “This is one of our fastest growing program areas and some of our newest programs and most modern programs come out of the allied health and emergency services division,” he said. “So, I’m so thankful for the leadership of Dean Binanti but also others in the audience who have done great things for this program and our faculty and, of course, our students.”