WALLER — The Tri-County Health Alliance (Tri-County) has awarded grants totaling $29,500 to two Waller ISD (WISD) groups; the Waller High School (WHS) Certified Nurses Aid (CNA) program and the WISD Health Services Department. Tri-County Executive Director Ann Marie Paradowski, and Board Members Patsy Marburger and Terry Arnold, visited WHS to present the checks to the programs.

The WHS CNA program, led by Instructor Linda Mills, received $4,500, which they plan to use to purchase a new bed and tables, mannequin, and AED machine for students to practice their skills. The CNA program is part of WHS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which allows students the opportunity to learn work-based certifications and enter the career fields immediately following graduation.

“Grants like these are so helpful to our CTE programs because they allow us to purchase big-ticket items that give students real-world, hands-on experiences,” CTE Coordinator Kelley Lowes said. “Students can use this equipment to practice techniques and procedures before going to their internship. Tri-County Alliance has helped us create a true healthcare learning experience for our students.”

The WISD Health Services Department was awarded $25,000 that will be used to purchase items for each campus clinic including vital sign machines, cots, wheelchairs, and a nebulizer. Tri-County first donated to WISD Health Services during the 2016-2017 school year and, to date, has given a total of $107,767 to help the department.

“Donations like this have such an impact and help the nurses and clinic aides give better care to our students,” WISD Lead Nurse Tiffany Loveless said. “We are better able to assess medical conditions and take care of our students.”

WISD would like to thank Tri-County Health Alliance for continuing to be one of the district’s largest non-profit supporters and helping students achieve greatness.