Kellogg Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program has received a donation of $1 million to enhance the educational experience of PTA students and the quality of care provided by the next generation of physical therapy professionals.
The gift – provided to the KCC Foundation by Battle Creek’s Southwest Michigan Rehab Foundation and announced earlier this month on campus – includes $900,000 in endowment funds contributed to an existing scholarship and $100,000 worth of advanced equipment for the campus PTA Lab and clinical partners.
In 2017, the KCC Foundation in conjunction with the Southwest Michigan Rehab Foundation announced the establishment of the Southwest Michigan Rehabilitation Foundation Scholarship for PTA students, providing funds each year to a KCC student enrolling in their second year of the College’s PTA Program. The $900,000 endowment adds substantially to the organization’s original $100,000 commitment to the program.
Additionally, a new $100,000 gift will fund the acquisition of state-of-the-art physical therapy equipment to be used in classrooms and clinical labs. This advanced equipment will offer students increased access to hands-on experiences with the tools and techniques they will use in real-world clinical settings, better preparing them for careers in the rapidly evolving health care industry.
KCC Foundation Executive Director Michelle Williamson said the donation “will have a profound impact on the future of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.”
“We are incredibly grateful for Southwest Michigan Rehab Foundation’s vision and generosity,” Williamson said. “The endowment ensures that our students will receive a top-tier education, while the cutting-edge equipment will allow them to develop the skills they need to excel in their careers and serve patients effectively.”
The donation will also enhance the program’s clinical partnership experience and provide students with more diverse hands-on training opportunities in professional health care settings.
“We believe that investing in education and providing students with the best tools available is essential to creating a workforce that will make a lasting difference in the health care field,” Roger Mattens, president of the Southwest Michigan Rehab Foundation, said. “I am excited to see the PTA Program grow and thrive, and I hope this contribution will help students reach their full potential as they embark on their careers.”
KCC’s PTA Program was the first program of its kind in the state of Michigan and the sixth program in the nation, with the first class graduating in 1973. Graduates of the program in 2022 and 2023 surveyed by the College had an ultimate licensure exam pass rate of 94% and a 100% employment rate for graduates seeking a position in the field.
For more information about the KCC PTA Program, visit kellogg.edu/pta.
For more information about the KCC Foundation or to donate to student scholarships, contact the KCC Foundation at 269-965-4161 or visit kellogg.edu/foundation.
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