BGSU, Blanchard Valley Health System partnership strengthens healthcare workforce

Industry collaboration provides students with hands-on training, clinical experiences and career connections while helping meet workforce needs

A partnership between Bowling Green State University and Blanchard Valley Health System is providing students in health-related fields with valuable hands-on training while helping address critical workforce needs in Ohio.

As one of the University’s gold-tier partners, Blanchard Valley Health System supports BGSU students through career engagement, clinical training and curriculum development.

The Findlay-based healthcare system serves as a clinical training site for students in the University’s nursing and respiratory care programs, has donated equipment to enhance hands-on learning in the classroom and employs more than 175 BGSU alumni across various roles. Additionally, 35 Bowling Green students completed internships with Blanchard Valley Health System last year. The healthcare system also supports the University's physical therapy, occupational therapy and social work programs.

Mike Cifranic, a nursing recruitment and retention specialist at Blanchard Valley Health System, frequently attends BGSU career fairs, helping connect students with professional opportunities in healthcare. He also helps students learn how to engage more effectively with employers and invited the University’s admissions team to speak to Blachard Valley Health Systems associates interested in pursuing higher education. 

“Strong partnerships like the one we have with BGSU allow us to connect with future healthcare professionals early in their education,” Cifranic said. “It's about more than recruiting students after graduation. It's about building relationships, supporting their professional growth and helping them recognize the opportunities available right here in our community. By investing in these students today, we're not only helping them prepare for successful careers, but also strengthening the healthcare workforce that will serve our communities for years to come.”

One recent example of the partnership's impact is the donation of two advanced portable mechanical ventilators to the respiratory care program at BGSU Firelands, the University's regional campus in Huron, Ohio. The equipment will further enhance hands-on training in the classroom and laboratory.

“The students will learn how to safely operate ventilators, interpret patient responses and troubleshoot problems before working with real patients in clinical rotations at the hospitals," said Ashley Deskins, director of clinical education in BGSU Fireland’s respiratory care program. “We’re grateful to our partners like Blanchard Valley Health System for helping prepare our students for their futures in respiratory care.”

Jami Koziel, clinical manager of respiratory therapy at Blanchard Valley Health System, helped facilitate the equipment donation. An advocate for the profession, Koziel serves on the respiratory advisory board at BGSU Firelands, supporting curriculum development and providing industry perspective.

As a clinical site for the respiratory care program, Blanchard Valley Health System provides students with experience in floor therapy, adult critical care, cardiac diagnostics and pulmonary function testing.

“I firmly believe that investing in the next generation of respiratory care professionals is critical to the continued growth and success of our field,” she said. 

Koziel said the demand for respiratory therapists has been high for several years and has grown since the coronavirus pandemic as healthcare providers care for more patients with pulmonary conditions.

For Blanchard Valley Health System, hosting BGSU students also provides an important talent pipeline. 

As a clinical manager, Koziel works directly with BGSU Firelands students during their clinical rotations, allowing the healthcare system to build relationships with prospective respiratory therapists before they graduate. Several BGSU students have been hired full time as respiratory care practitioners at Blanchard Valley Health System.

“The outcome speaks to the quality of students coming through the program and the value of the partnership between our organizations,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to work together with BGSU to support student development and strengthen the future respiratory care workforce.”