Lights dimmed as a spotlight shone on emergency medical technicians wheeling a gurney carrying an injured patient with a broken femur, passing his care off to waiting health care providers.  

The providers scrambled to treat the patient, a health care training mannequin, as part of a 30-minute demonstration Oct. 2 at the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science. Dozens of people gathered to watch the scenario aimed at showcasing jobs in health care, from laboratory technician to surgeon. 

“It’s a glimpse into the entire health care journey, from when a patient arrives and everything that happens after,” said Julie Brempelis, Flathead Valley Community College’s assistant director of marketing. 

The first Night at the Broussard event was in 2014. It’s a way for the community college to invite prospective students and families to campus to learn about programs, according to Carla Genovese, the college’s nursing program director.  

“When we do that skit at the beginning, it kind of showcases to the public that there are so many different careers in health care that students can choose,” Genovese said. “And all those interdisciplinary careers impact the patient together.” 

The Night at the Broussard occurred on the same night as the college’s Night of the Trades, an open house where prospective students explore potential careers in the trades.  

Working as a surgical assistant at an oral surgery office in Kalispell, Kasey Hanson, 22, attended the health care event to investigate other professions. Hanson is interested in nursing, which was exemplified through various steps of the demonstrations. 

“I did all on-the-job training [with the oral surgeon], and I’m interested in expanding that from an educational standpoint too,” Hanson said.  

Being able to highlight health care positions that are often behind the scenes is one reason the event is important, said Denise Pacovsky, program director for medical laboratory technology at the college.  

While a patient is being evaluated by nurses and doctors, samples are given to the laboratory and tested. It’s an essential part of the medical process, playing a crucial role in ensuring accurate analysis.  

“This is a cool way to represent that,” Pacovsky said after the demonstration. “Because medical lab professionals remain behind the scenes, so it’s nice to show what we do.” 

After the demonstration, which ended with outpatient physical therapy and checkups at an outpatient doctor’s office, attendees split up into various rooms to learn more about the specific jobs demonstrated. 

From medical assistants to radiologic and surgical technology to physical therapy, the brief information sessions were aimed at better understanding what each position does.  

In one of the nursing breakout sessions, 21-year-old Dylan Patton talked with professors about how he’s wanted to be a nurse for a while. The demonstration was cool, Patton said, and he plans to apply to the college’s nursing program next year.  

“It’s just nice that a bunch of people from different paths in health sciences can come together,” he said. “It’s also great to see the aspects we may not have known about.” 

Some attendees already knew what they were interested in, like 17-year-old Gabrielle Ary, a senior at Glacier High School. She already works as a certified nursing assistant but wanted to learn more about radiology technicians.  

In a classroom that includes an ambulance simulator, one breakout session detailing paramedicine, the specialized health care professions focused on emergency care, was full throughout the night. The nursing room has multiple hospital beds as well for hands-on training. 

Pacovsky said the programs offered at Flathead Valley Community College push students to be successful, and the event showcases what the college is doing with health sciences to reach more people.  

“We’re really proud to be a part of it,” she said. 

For more information, visit fvcc.edu.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected]. 

    Faculty, staff and students from more than 10 nursing and health science programs present a health care simulation during Flathead Valley Community College's Night at the Broussard at the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing & Health Science on Thursday, Oct. 2. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 

    Faculty, staff and students from more than 10 nursing and health science programs present a health care simulation during Flathead Valley Community College's Night at the Broussard at the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing & Health Science on Thursday, Oct. 2. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Faculty, staff and students from more than 10 nursing and health science programs present a health care simulation during Flathead Valley Community College's Night at the Broussard at the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing & Health Science on Thursday, Oct. 2. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Faculty, staff and students from more than 10 nursing and health science programs present a health care simulation during Flathead Valley Community College's Night at the Broussard at the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing & Health Science on Thursday, Oct. 2. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider