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New college offers health courses Money troubles have closed similar schools By SUSAN JAY Southern Oregon has a new career college focused solely on health care skills. The question is whether it can avoid the pitfalls of previous private career colleges. Trend and Delta colleges closed in 1994 in Medford because of financial and management problems. In September 1998, the Institute of Medical Sciences closed, also for financial reasons. Marion and Mike Karpinski, founders of the new Northwestern College of Healthcare, know that IMS's reputation is an obstacle. But they believe they can succeed as a college because of their extensive experience in health care and in business. The college, at 33 N. Central Ave., opened in November and began offering its first nine-week phlebotomy course in May. The college's first four students start their "externship" training in clinics and hospitals next week. The college's phone number is (541) 858-0616. Northwestern College is accredited to teach phlebotomy (blood drawing) and is licensed by the state Department of Education. Private career colleges must show financial stability and demonstrate that the programs are recommended by an advisory committee of professionals in the field, said Lin Fleming, a program representative for the Education Department. The Karpinskis plan to add four courses within the next year. "Our programs are going to be stepping stones into a medical career," Marion Karpinski said. She and her husband say there are many people who want to work in the medical field but don't want to spend years in college. The phlebotomy course costs $2,600, which includes books, materials and other fees. Marion said most phlebotomists earn between $8 and $10 an hour. "Financially, to be able to succeed we do need to offer more programs," she said. "We research every program we offer," she said, adding that they teach more than the standard curriculum, and include instruction in basic English, psychology and some computer skills. She herself talks to professionals in the field, asking what other skills candidates need to be successful. Marion, 50, has been a registered nurse for 29 years. Mike, 51, has worked in health-care education and marketing for 10 years. They are former employees of Providence Medford Medical Center. Marion introduced in-home intravenous therapy and worked with home care and hospice as a patient coordinator for Providence. Mike produced education videos and other marketing materials at Providence. The couple has lived and worked in the area for 24 years. They have reputations they value within the community. "It's not like we're going to pick up our bags when we enroll the maximum number of students and leave," Michael said. "We've learned to monitor the finances and the client base for problems and have created a work environment where people want to stay." They've done all that through their already growing small business, Healing Arts Communication, which produces and sells educational videos aimed at teaching private and professional caregivers how to care for patients in the home. That business is financing the college. Healing Arts, started in 1995, is producing its fifth video. Video topics include infection control, medication management and fall prevention. The videos sell across the United States and Canada to government programs, hospice agencies, home care facilities, foster homes, senior centers and public libraries. The small business has grown to 14 employees, nine in video production and five in the college. Healing Arts Communication also won the small-business achievement award from Rogue Community College and the Small Business Association in 1998. Its video customers include the American Association of Retired Persons, which just ordered 200 copies of one of the tapes. The idea for a college came about when they were thinking of starting a correspondence school to teach caregivers. They put that idea on hold after they realized how long it would take to get such a program going with grants. So they turned to their next best idea, a health-care college. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA