Students in the Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center (PRCTC) Allied Health program are now training on the same type of hospital beds they will use in real-world healthcare settings, thanks to a recent equipment donation from OhioHealth Berger Hospital.
Berger Hospital donated four upgraded electric hospital beds to PRCTC’s Pickaway County Allied Health program, which is housed at the hospital. The donation came after Berger replaced its medical-surgical beds, creating the opportunity for PRCTC to receive the hospital’s gently used electric models. The offer was made in late November, when Stephani Adams, then the Director of Nursing, approached PRCTC Allied Health instructor Tammy Tipton about accepting the beds—a continuation of a professional partnership that has spanned nearly a decade.
“I was so excited to be presented with this opportunity for ‘new to us’ beds for our Allied Health program,” Tipton said. “These beds are truly a game changer for our lab and for our students.”
Within days, PRCTC leadership and maintenance staff coordinated the removal of the old beds to make room for the upgraded equipment. The previous beds were donated to the Pickaway-Ross Adult STNA program, further extending the impact of the upgrade.
Each year, PRCTC Allied Health juniors learn approximately 46 CNA skills. The new beds allow students to practice more efficiently and safely with electric height adjustment, single-pedal brake systems, and easier-to-use side rails. “These beds will absolutely help students complete their testing within the required timeframe,” Tipton said. “They remove barriers that had nothing to do with a student’s actual ability to perform patient care.”
The upgraded beds also mirror the equipment students will encounter during senior-year externships. For the past two years, Berger Hospital has interviewed PRCTC Allied Health juniors and hired one each year to work as a Patient Support Assistant on the medical-surgical floor.
Superintendent Jonathan Davis said the donation reflects OhioHealth’s commitment to strengthening the local healthcare workforce. “Berger not only allows our students real-life learning experiences, they also allow our students to learn with the most up-to-date technology,” Davis said. “When a partner steps up like this, it makes an incredible difference for students.”
Davis added that OhioHealth Berger Hospital has become one of PRCTC’s most impactful healthcare partners. “They truly care about our students and the future workforce of this region.”
Students have already begun using the new beds and have expressed excitement and appreciation. “It truly raises the overall quality of our Allied Health program,” Tipton said.
“Our mission says it best—life-changing opportunities, real-world education,” Davis said.
