The Waterloo Schools Foundation recently approved $10,700 for the purchase of a bariatric manikin for the health career pathways at the Waterloo Career Center (WCC).
On average, the WCC currently trains 25 students to become Certified Nursing Assistants, and over 40% sign to work for our WCC partner, UnityPoint Health-Allen.
The WCC prides itself on hands-on learning experiences, and many students in the health career pathway work with CPR mannequins. With obesity being widely seen across the United States, the WCC and WSF believe that students deserve realistic training and exposure before entering the workforce. This 350-pound bariatric manikin will allow students to practice safety lifts, search for and identify skin lesions, and understand what true human bodies look like in our society.
This request was submitted by Heather Beaufore and Abby Fagerlind, two of the health career instructors. The manikin will be funded through the Health Career Academy fund and the general Waterloo Career Center fund at the Waterloo Schools Foundation.
Do you want to help support diverse, innovative projects like this in our schools? Learn how at wcsfoundation.org/donate.