The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce has awarded North Fulton Hospital the 2015 Partnership in Education Award in recognition of the hospital’s partnership with Gwinnett Technical College.

The Roswell-based hospital was honored in the large business category. Tracy Wilkinson, hospital imaging services director, accepted the award on behalf of the hospital, along with Jim Sass, dean of health imaging and informatics, Gwinnett Tech.

The Chamber’s Education Committee established the Partner in Education Partnership of the Year award in 2009 to recognize the many outstanding business partnerships that have been established with schools in the North Fulton community. Each partnership is as unique as the businesses themselves. The support these businesses provide allows area schools to better serve the needs of students and the community. 

Gwinnett Tech’s partnership with North Fulton Hospital began five years ago, with the hospital serving as a clinical site for students in Gwinnett Tech’s programs in Radiologic Technology, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Echocardiography, and Cardiac Catheterization.

“Clinical rotations are an integral part of our student’s education and allow them to learn from and work side by side with experienced healthcare professionals,“ said Sass. “Many of these professionals take on a mentorship role for the students, which helps guide them into very successful healthcare careers.

“At the same time, while the North Fulton Hospital imaging services staff is helping the students gain experience and skills, that staff is also being challenged by the student to be engaged with learning. Our relationship is a win-win for both partners.” 

The partnership extends beyond the clinical rotation program. Wilkinson and members of the hospital’s imaging services staff now serve on the Gwinnett Tech Imaging Sciences Advisory Committee, providing input on curriculum, best practices and career development to help advance the program. Additionally, Wilkinson gives an employability talk each year to the graduating Radiologic Technology students as they begin their professional careers.

Gwinnett Tech began serving North Fulton in 2010 and is now building a campus in Alpharetta at Old Milton Parkway and Georgia 400, opening in January 2016. In recent years, while plans for the new campus were underway, Gwinnett Tech has been serving the business community with continuing education courses and customized training options and has offered dual enrollment programs to North Fulton high school students. 

College leaders have also been working in concert with North Fulton community and business leaders to determine program offerings for the new campus that will best support the employment needs of the area, in key fields like healthcare and IT. 

Gwinnett Tech offers associate degrees in Radiologic Technology, Cardiovascular Technology, Echocardiography Technology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography, plus certificate options in Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

In all, Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate educational options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.