Laurel Ridge Launches First Symposium Focused on Health Students’ Well-Being

As healthcare workers face growing demands, Laurel Ridge Community College is taking steps to prepare its students not just for the job but for the stress that can come with it.

On April 17, about 130 students in the college’s health professions programs gathered for a first-of-its-kind symposium centered on mental health and resilience. The event brought together students from Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, Certified Nurse Aid, Surgical Technology, Emergency Medical Services, and Medical Laboratory Technology programs.

Instead of a typical lecture day, students took part in hands-on activities designed to reduce stress and build coping skills. Sessions included tai chi, art-based therapy exercises, and time with therapy dogs. The goal was to give future healthcare workers simple tools they can use in their daily lives.

“There has been an effort in this region to bolster our healthcare workforce,” said Dr. Scott Vanderkooi, dean of the School of Health Professions. “Creating greater resiliency is a key factor in retaining that workforce.”

The program was supported by Valley Health and the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation. Dr. William A. “Bill” Hazel Jr., CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities, delivered the keynote address. He praised the college for helping address the region’s shortage of healthcare providers.

“Laurel Ridge is doing terrific work in bringing people into good jobs in healthcare,” Hazel said. “It was a privilege to meet with the group of new graduates and to provide a few tips that hopefully will lead them to long and rewarding careers.”

Workshops throughout the day focused on both mental and physical well-being. Topics included caring for the mind and body, building a purpose-driven career, and using creative activities like journaling and drawing to process stress.

Faculty members said the event serves as a meaningful way to mark the end of students’ training. “This serves as a really good capstone to the end of their training,” said nursing professor Kathryn Regula. She noted that the focus on self-care and communication helps prepare students for the realities of healthcare work.

Students said the experience was helpful and timely. Joanna Lavertu, a 2026 nursing graduate, said learning how to handle challenges in the field stood out. “They discussed how we will be experiencing some hardships in the field, so finding ways to process it and move through it is helpful,” she said.

Adwoa Kani, who is earning her RN degree after years of working as a licensed practical nurse, said the sessions helped her relax. “The discussion on resiliency was really good, especially knowing where your limit is,” she said. “You have to find a place where you can relax.”

College leaders hope to make the symposium an annual event. As healthcare needs continue to grow, they say preparing students to manage stress will be just as important as teaching clinical skills.