Baker College program directors recognized by state professional associations

Two Baker College of Jackson health sciences instructors were recently recognized by their respective industries’ state professional organizations.

Teri Fedchenko, radiation therapy program director, was named Educator of the Year by the Michigan Society of Radiologic Technologists. Julie C. Jackson, CST, surgical technology program director, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Surgical Technologists Michigan State Assembly.

“I congratulate Teri and Julie for their achievements and thank them for their contributions to higher education,” said Steve Simpson, Ed.D., Baker College of Jackson president. “Having such highly skilled and respected instructors and administrators is what makes good programs great and keeps students committed to excellence.”

Fedchenko, of Owosso, has been an instructor at Baker College of Jackson for 12 years. She earned a bachelor’s in health care administration at the University of Michigan, a master’s in administration at Central Michigan University and certificates in radiography and radiation therapy.

In presenting the award to Fedchenko, MSRT President Jennifer Hall, B.B.A., R.T.(R), said, “Teri’s nomination is special. It came from one of her students who experienced a changed life through (Teri’s) coursework and mentoring. Teri isn’t just a teacher; she is a great teacher. She inspires each of her students to want more, to be successful and to be unordinary.”

Jackson’s term of office on the board of the Association of Surgical Technologists Michigan State Assembly runs through September 2017.

She joined Baker College in 2010 as an adjunct professor and was named program director in 2012. Julie has worked to develop and continuously improve the surgical technology program. For the past three years, all surgical technology graduates at the Jackson campus have passed the rigorous national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination, with the average first-attempt pass rate being 98 percent. All 2015 graduates passed on the first attempt, well above the 2014 national average of 74.4 percent, the most recent data available.

Jackson, of Swartz Creek, earned an associate degree in applied science and a bachelor’s in health services administration at Baker College of Flint.

For more information about Baker College of Jackson health sciences programs, contact Kevin Pnacek in the admissions office at kevin.pnacek@baker.edu or 517.788.7800, or visit www.baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 23,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in distance education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.

Photo caption:

Baker-Fedchenko – Teri Fedchenko has been named Educator of the Year by the Michigan Society of Radiologic Technologists. She is radiation therapy program director for Baker College of Jackson.