Owensboro Community and Technical College

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OCTC Foundation Receives $25,000 Gift from Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers to Support Healthcare Facilities Leadership Program

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (06/09/2025) — The Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers (KSHE) has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing healthcare facilities education with a generous donation to the Owensboro Community and Technical College Foundation, Inc. in support of the Healthcare Facilities Leadership (HFL) program. This contribution will bolster recruitment initiatives, professional development opportunities, and immersive learning tools as the program expands its national impact.

KSHE's support underscores a strong and enduring partnership with the HFL program, recognizing its proven track record in preparing skilled professionals for leadership roles in healthcare facilities management. Now in its twelfth year, the HFL program has produced graduates who serve in critical positions across Kentucky and beyond, driving excellence in healthcare infrastructure.

"This gift is far more than financial support-it's a resounding endorsement of our mission to elevate the healthcare facilities profession," said Mike Canales, founder of the HFL program. "KSHE's commitment ensures that we can continue developing innovative career pathways, from front line technical staff to leadership at the highest levels."

The donation will help advance key priorities within the HFL program, including:

The development of high-quality course materials for students and instructors

Recruitment strategies to attract new talent into the field

Support for adjunct faculty and participation in industry events

Marketing and outreach efforts to raise awareness about career opportunities

Professional development resources to enhance leadership training

Implementation of immersive learning tools, such as Matterport, for virtual education experiences

"We are incredibly grateful for KSHE's generosity and ongoing collaboration," said Sydney Warren, Executive Director of the OCTC Foundation, Inc. "This partnership is just the beginning-we're excited to shape the future of healthcare facilities education together."

The HFL program's "work and learn" model continues to garner national attention, providing adult learners with the opportunity to earn formal credentials while gaining practical experience in healthcare facilities leadership. With a strong foundation established in Kentucky, the program is positioned to expand its reach in support of recruitment, development, and advancement of healthcare facilities professionals nationwide.

Dr. Scott Williams, president of OCTC, stated, "We are deeply honored and thankful for the continued support from the Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers. This generous gift not only strengthens our Healthcare Facilities Leadership program, but also reinforces our commitment to providing students with exceptional opportunities to develop the skills and expertise needed to lead in the evolving healthcare sector. By working together with KSHE, we are ensuring that our graduates are not only prepared for today's challenges but are equipped to shape the future of healthcare infrastructure nationwide."

Andy Woomavovah, president of KSHE, noted "KSHE has been proud to partner with OCTC since the founding of the Healthcare Facilities Leadership program, and is excited to make this donation to support its sustainability. This program is instrumental in training and motivating the next generation in healthcare facilities management."

About The Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers

The Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers (KSHE) is a dynamic professional society devoted to the education, development and advancement of knowledge and skills related to the physical environment disciplines, including leadership and technical personnel, with a focus on improving patient safety and quality care.

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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.

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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.

Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC

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