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JACKSON – As a basketball player in high school and part of his college life thus far, Clayton Tate saw both kinds of “PT.”

Clayton Tate, left, of Terry, and Physical Therapy Assistant student Lyndsey Morgan, of Tallulah, La., study a model of the human spine at the Fall 2019 Nursing Showcase held Sept. 5 at ���Ĺ���ý Jackson Campus-Nursing/Alllied Health Center. (���Ĺ���ý/April Garon)

“I was in PT a lot when I played,” Tate said, referring to the verbal shorthand for physical therapy, which went along with the other PT – playing time – he got while dishing assists as a guard for Terry High School and ���Ĺ���ý.

Tate, now 25, is looking for an assist from the college’s skilled instructors as he begins his studies toward a career in healthcare, possibly in the field of physical therapy.

“When I played, I would see how a medical staff would care for people,” he said, as he joined about 125 other current students, prospective students, parents and others at the fall 2019 Nursing Allied Health Showcase held Sept. 5 at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. “It will help me in the future that I, too, like to help people and exercise to stay in shape.”

Held each semester at the Chadwick Drive complex, the event allows prospective students and others tour the campus’ learning labs, speak with faculty, explore the college’s 12 health-related and two short-term programs and get the latest on requirements and deadlines.

“Guests spoke with our faculty one-on-one to learn about our programs of study and the promising careers in healthcare that ���Ĺ���ý graduates obtain,” said Kathryn Cole, district director of Enrollment Services.

Jadria Martin, center, of Jackson, and second-semester Associate Degree Nursing student Zabrah Williams, right, listen to a simulated heartbeat inside a demonstration manikin at the Fall 2019 Nursing Showcase held Sept. 5 at ���Ĺ���ý Jackson Campus-Nursing/Alllied Health Center. (���Ĺ���ý/April Garon)

Programs showcased included Associate Degree Nursing (RN), Dental Assisting Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Science, Health Care Assistant, Health Information Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, Surgical Technology, and two short-term programs, Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy.

“We are excited to offer nursing and allied health programs that provide excellent employment opportunities for our students,” said Nursing and Allied Health Dean Kathy Elliott. “Graduates of our programs are employed at rates of 90 to 100 percent within a year of graduation and consistently meet national benchmarks for licensure/registry pass rates.”

The event draws potential students across a wide spectrum of ages and professional experience. Growing up in medical families is the background on which Jadria Martin, of Clinton, and Jalen Ford, of Raymond, are drawing as they consider nursing careers.

“My grandmother was a registered nurse and my mom came to school for it. I like seeing and learning about the human body,” Martin said as she and Ford checked out the Associate Degree Nursing lab.

Jalen Ford, left, of Raymond, adjusts controls on a demonstration manikin at the Fall 2019 Nursing Showcase held Sept. 5 at ���Ĺ���ý Jackson Campus-Nursing/Alllied Health Center. At right is second-semester Associate Degree Nursing student Zabrah Williams. (���Ĺ���ý/April Garon)

Ford’s mother is an LPN, which he says helped shaped his admiration for the healthcare industry.

“I’m following in my mother’s footsteps,” he said. “I like helping others get well.”