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BTC dean inducted into hall of fame
Greg Phillips, Blackhawk Technical College Dean of Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Training and Technology (MATT), was inducted Thursday, Feb. 20, into the Wisconsin Apprenticeship Hall of Fame during the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Biennial Apprenticeship Conference. Phillips has been a driving force behind forging vital partnerships between industry, community and K-12 institutions. His efforts have ensured the alignment and provision of crucial training and educational resources essential for workforce development in Rock and Green counties. Phillips’s leadership also has played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA), a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing talent pipeline development needs within the manufacturing secPHOTO SUBMITTED Rock Valley Publishing tor. Under his guidance, the A team of medical professionals at Mercyhealth Hospital Trauma Center in Janesville has successfully per- SMA has facilitated programs formed its first dual leadless pacemaker procedure. like the Accelerated Industrial Maintenance (AIM) program, providing paid summer training opportunities for partic-
Mercyhealth performs first dual leadless pacemaker procedures Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center–Janesville and Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside have each successfully performed their first dual leadless pacemaker procedures. This is the first time the procedures have been performed in the Madison/Janesville area as well as a first in the Rockford region. A dual leadless pacemaker is a small, wireless device that is implanted directly into the heart to regulate the heartbeat with no wires. Qualifying patients are poor candidates for a traditional transvenous pacemaker including:
• A history of an endovascular or cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infection or who are at high risk for infection; or • Limited access for tranvenous pacing given venous anomaly, occlusion of axillary veins or planned use of such veins for a semi-permanent catheter or current or planned use of an AV fistula for hemodialysis; or • Presence of a bio-prosthetic tricuspid valve “The primary advantage of a leadless pacemaker is the elimination of several complications
associated with transvenous pacemakers and leads: pocket infections, hematoma, lead dislodgment, and lead fracture,” said Dr. Imdad Ahmed, Director of Mercyhealth Arrhythmia Center. “The leadless pacemaker also has cosmetic appeal because there is no chest incision or visible pacemaker pocket. They are compatible with magnetic resonance imaging.” The Mercyhealth Arrhythmia Center is an extension of the Mercyhealth Heart and Vascular Institute. The Mercyhealth Arrythmia Center serves patients in southern Wisconsin
ipants and exposing them to manufacturing careers. “We don’t work as hard as we do for the money or the recognition,” Phillips said during the Hall of Fame Banquet. “I have been lucky enough to find a passion for what I do, and that carries a lot of weight. My affinity for apprenticeship doesn’t just come from its rich history … but as I have spent time reflecting on my personal past, as a metaphor, I have always been an apprentice and to some degree I still am.” Upon graduation from Parker High School, Phillips joined the Marine Corps, training in diesel and gasoline engine troubleshooting and repair. He then worked at Simmons Bedding Company as a maintenance technician before becoming a construction electrical apprentice instructor for Blackhawk in 2010. In July 2020, Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk, appointed Phillips as the Dean of the MATT Division. Phillips, who plans to retire in June, also was honored
See DEAN, Page 4
and northern Illinois who have an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. Led by Dr. Ahmed, board certified cardiac electrophysiologist, the Mercyhealth Arrhythmia Center is a comprehensive care program that monitors and treats patients with heart rhythm disorders and the side effects associated with them. They offer a patient-centered team approach to ensure the highest quality care out there, in the timeliest manner. To learn more, visit mercyhealthsystem.org/arrhythmia, or call 608-756-6868.
From army to IT: Edgerton native finds path at Blackhawk Tech will give her some hands-on experience in the IT field, working under the head of the company’s IT department. Scot Forge, already a strong partner of Blackhawk, reached out last semester to get assistance with populating their Clinton location with IT staff to monitor and maintain their IT infrastructure. Jillian will join another student from the program who is currently
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interning there. Jillian was a shoo-in for the position, owing in part to her military experience, said Tim Nobling, IT instructor. “Jillian’s military experience allows her to find success in our self-paced program, as she has strong organizational skills and scheduling discipline to work through all challenges presented to her,” Nobling said. “She works
incredibly hard to make sure she has a strong grasp on the competencies being presented to her.” Jillian will also return to the Talons clay target shootPHOTO COURTESY JASON RYAN, BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE ing team this spring. The Rock Valley Publishing season, which runs for five Greg Phillips, Blackhawk Technical College Dean of weeks from April 20 through Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Training and Technolothe week of May 18, will be gy (MATT), was inducted Thursday, Feb. 20, into the Wisher second with the team. consin Apprenticeship Hall of Fame during the Wiscon-
See PATH, Page 5
sin Department of Workforce Development’s Biennial Apprenticeship Conference. 468424
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Edgerton native Jillian Schue served three years in the U.S. Army, during which time she was involved in some IT work. This experience piqued her interest in pursuing a career, and she is now a student in the IT Technical Support program at Blackhawk. This spring, Jillian will begin an internship at Scot Forge in Clinton that will run through the summer. It
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