The Gardens at DePugh

WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Gardens at DePugh was recently named a training facility for MedTech Institute’s nursing program. Since February, students from MedTech’s Orlando campus have visited residents three times a week as part of their clinical rotations.

The first group of students is pursuing licensed practical nurse (LPN) degrees, with plans to eventually include registered nurse (RN) students. Participants observe The Gardens’ nursing staff, interact with patients and complete assessments under a nurse’s guidance. The program was launched following the success of The Gardens’ partnership with Florida Hospital’s geriatric medicine training program, which provides daily physician visits to residents.

“Our residents benefit from the attentive care of the nursing students, and The Gardens benefits from being known as a teaching facility,” said Ruth Ames, director of nursing. “Meanwhile, students get valuable experience in serving geriatric patients and access to career opportunities after graduation.”

Added Dr. Ariel Cole, geriatric practice program director at The Gardens, “Being selected as a training facility is an honor for all of us at The Gardens. Our residents already receive regular, one-on-one care from physicians, and training the highest-quality nurses is a natural extension of our efforts.”