HVCC adds health navigation programs

TROY, N.Y. » Reimagining community health outreach and lowering overall health care costs are the driving factors behind two new academic programs being offered this fall at Hudson Valley Community College.

The college has begun accepting students for the fall term of degree and certificate programs have begun accepting students for community health navigators, who serve as a liaison between clients and the healthcare system. Serving as coaches and facilitators, they work in the community directly with patients, providers and other healthcare professionals to connect clients with services and provide support for those navigating the healthcare landscape.

“This is really a re-imagining of the traditional community health model,” said Patty Hyland, chairwoman of the Cardiorespiratory and Emergency Medicine Department at HVCC, which is hosting the new programs. “The navigators will be working under licensed health care professionals, and we are hoping that they can work in the communities where they live, so they are part of the fabric of the community.”

The new, credit-bearing programs are the first of their kind to be approved by the state Education Department, and college officials hope they serve as a pilot for creating similar programs at SUNY community colleges statewide.

The degree option is designed for students who want to immediately enter the workforce or continue their education in a variety of community health, social services and allied health fields, while the certificate program is designed primarily for students who have some background in a healthcare field or have completed coursework in a related area.

For more information, call the Cardiorespiratory and Emergency Medicine Department at HVCC at 629-7454.