Maureen Baksh-Griffin, an associate professor of Nursing, is working with Southeast Tennessee health organizations to help in the front line efforts of the medical industry over the college’s holiday break
With vaccines beginning to be distributed, and the number of COVID cases making headlines daily, two Cleveland State Community College healthcare professors are taking part in a statewide push this holiday season to help fight Coronavirus.
Dr. Sonya Franklin, a professor of Nursing, and Maureen Baksh-Griffin, an associate professor of Nursing, are working with Southeast Tennessee health organizations to help in the front line efforts of the medical industry over the college’s holiday break. In cooperation with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group, the colleges within the Tennessee Board of Regents reached out to licensed healthcare professionals on staff in hopes of putting their experience and skill sets to use with current COVID treatment and pending vaccinations to be administered.
“I know that I and all of our colleagues at Cleveland State are very proud of Sonya and Maureen. They both are amazing nurses and educators,” said Dr. Bill Seymour, Cleveland State Community College president. “Given their amazing spirits to serve, I was not surprised to see them take on this new responsibility.”
Dr. Franklin will be volunteering her time with Rhea Medical Center. “It’s my community hospital and a clinical partner of our Nursing program,” said Dr. Franklin, a resident of Evensville, Tn. “I strive to give back as often as possible in my own community. I was happy to offer whatever I can do to support and come alongside my nursing and healthcare colleagues to face this challenge. I appreciate the administration of Cleveland State Community College and TBR allowing me to serve over the college winter break in this capacity.”
The Rhea County resident joined Cleveland State in 2009. Prior to joining the college, Dr. Franklin served as the nurse supervisor at the Rhea County Health Department. Dr. Franklin is currently the professor of Nursing I Simulation, as well as serves as a clinical coordinator for the Nursing program.
Ms. Baksh-Griffin has reached out to a local medical facility to offer her assistance over winter break. However, she is also currently the Tennessee Department of Health Southeast Region COVID-19 Strike Team coordinator. “The strike team's tasks are COVID-19 testing, as well as vaccine administration,” said Ms. Baksh-Griffin. “My aim is to help both in the public health sector, as well as in the acute hospital care setting to support my fellow nurses.”
Ms. Baksh-Griffin joined Cleveland State in 2012. Prior to joining the college, the Chattanooga resident served as a staff nurse at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.
Over the next 10 years, the nursing field is expected to see a 12 percent growth in available nurses. However, even with this kind of professional growth, there is still expected to be a shortfall of properly trained and licensed healthcare professionals. “For as long as I can remember, our nursing program has had a 100-percent job placement rate among our graduates,” said CSCC Director of Nursing Nancy Thomas. “Most of our students have jobs secured even before graduation, and they’re heavily recruited by area hospitals and healthcare facilities.”
Dr. Sonya Franklin, a professor of Nursing, is working with Southeast Tennessee health organizations to help in the front line efforts of the medical industry over the college’s holiday break