LaTanya McNeal, Ed.D.

Courtesy photo

BELLE GLADE — LaTanya McNeal, Ed.D., executive dean of the Palm Beach State College Belle Glade campus, discussed how innovative partnerships are helping to expand opportunities for students in health care fields during Leadership Palm Beach County’s Leadership Focus 2023 program held recently at Lakeside Medical Center.

McNeal was part of a panel on “Health Care in Palm Beach County – Innovation and Partnerships in the Glades.” She highlighted how PBSC is partnering with Lakeside Medical Center to help increase the number of students pursuing careers in health care.

During the event, McNeal talked about PBSC’s partnership with Lakeside Medical Center, which is designed to further expose PBSC students to the many rewarding career opportunities at the hospital and train them in the health care field. It also allows hospital staff opportunities to advance their skills through continuing education courses at the College. Through a Memorandum of Understanding between PBSC and Lakeside Medical Center, five PBSC students will be selected to receive a mentor and have on-the-job shadowing aligned to their future career aspirations through the hospital’s Student Ambassador program. Students in PBSC STEM, Business and Health Sciences Career Pathways will have an opportunity to tour the hospital and participate in an information session with the hospital leaders who work in these departments at Lakeside Medical Center. Additionally, through the partnership with Lakeside Medical Center, hospital staff will collaborate with PBSC staff to plan lunch-and-learn events on health-related topics for faculty, staff and students and career seminars and panels on health care careers to support the workforce in the Glades.

The panel was moderated by Tammy Jackson-Moore, co-founder of Guardians of the Glades and a Health Care District of Palm Beach County board member. In addition to McNeal, panelists were Darcy J. Davis, CEO of the Health Care District; Janet Moreland, associate vice president and hospital administrator at Lakeside Medical Center; and Charles Duval, Associate Vice President with CareerSource Palm Beach County.

“The program provided a wonderful opportunity to share the progress of the partnership with Lakeside Medical Center and the CareerSource collaboration with LPBC Focus 2023,” McNeal said.

The event was attended by more than 50 members of the Leadership Palm Beach County Focus 2023 on Jan. 19 at Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade.

McNeal was selected for the panel due to her leadership in the Glades community and her involvement with Leadership Palm Beach County as an alumna of their Engage Class of 2022.

Leadership Focus is designed for those interested in deepening their knowledge about Palm Beach County but who might not have the time or experience to participate in the nine-month Leadership Engage Program. The 2 ½-day program is for executives and professionals who want to broaden their understanding of the community, connect with people of influence, and explore Palm Beach County’s strengths, challenges and initiatives.