Panola College

Professor Lynn Davis works with students (from left) Ronna Phillips of Gary, Amber Akin of Henderson, and Chelsey Smith of DeBerry.October 7, 2015 - Check your health insurance statements and explanation of benefits carefully for the next few months, advises Jo Ellen Russell, Program Director and Professor of Health Information Technology at Panola College.

On October 1, hospitals and doctors made the transition to a new and far more complex coding system to describe health insurance claims and other electronic health transactions. The new government-mandated “ICD-10-CM” codes number more than 69,000 different descriptions, up from 14,000 used by the previous system, which had been in use since 1979.

ICD-10 stands for International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. The new system was delayed for two years, but went into effect this month as required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Russell said the new system is designed to help improve recordkeeping, and provide better tools for measuring and evaluating patients and their conditions. The transition to the new system could create problems, however, as the healthcare community adapts to the multitude of different numbers assigned to conditions and diseases.

“We have been preparing for this for the past couple of years,” Russell says. “Panola College Health Information Technology students are already learning the new codes so they will be ready to go to work in healthcare settings once they complete their associate degree or certificate.”

Professor Lynn Davis assists student Carolyn Johnson of Marshall.Professor Lynn Davis is an officially trained ICD-10 Ambassador, certified through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), a designation that means she is knowledgeable and can legally train others in the new coding process.

In late October or early November, Davis will offer an ICD-10 Continuing Education Course in which students may earn the 10 CE hours required for all coding certified professionals. Interested students may contact the Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education Department at 903-693-2067 or visit online at http://www.panola.edu/wkfc-cont-ed/.

Delays in processing of claims, along with potential coding errors are two areas of concern in the coming weeks with the new system, according to Russell. She encourages people to carefully review any correspondence from their healthcare providers during the transition period.

The Health Information Technology program at Panola College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology, a two-year program that combines clinical knowledge and information management skills. Students may choose to earn a Medical Coding Technician certificate, which is a shorter program that trains students to review and analyze health records to identify relevant diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement, to assess clinical care and to support research.

Students who complete the HIT program at Panola College may pursue careers in healthcare facilities, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare vendors and providers.

“Health Information Management programs incorporate the disciplines of medicine, management, finance, information technology and law into one curriculum,” Russell explains. “Because of this unique mixture, graduates can choose from a variety of work settings across an array of healthcare environments.”

Panola’s program, which includes both online and face-to-face classes, is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. Students who complete the associate degree at Panola may choose to transfer to a university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management.

Professor Lynn Davis explains the new codes to students, (from left) Cody Muse of Marshall, Kelli Head of Gary, and Tirena Mosley of Marshall.In September, Forbes Magazine ranked Health Technology as the most profitable industry for 2015, with a 21 percent net profit margin, according to Factset, a financial research tool. People who work in HIT can earn from $35 to $70 thousand annually, depending on their earned credentials and work location. A salary survey conducted by the AHIMA revealed that the overall 2012-year ending average salary across all AHIMA survey respondents came in at approximately $65,963, more than a 10 percent increase from the 2010 average.

HIT graduates are eligible to earn additional certificates including Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Certified Coding Associate (CCA) from the American Health Information Association, as well as Certified Professional Coder (CPC) from the American Academy of Professional Coders.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said that for 2012 the median pay for medical records and health information technicians was $34,160 per year, or $16.42 per hour. The job outlook for 2012-2022 predicts 22 percent growth in the industry, a rate much faster than average.

“Health Information Technology is such a rewarding career for someone who is motivated and eager for the challenge that it brings,” Davis says.

Russell’s department includes instructors Davis and Kimberly Bishop, along with department secretary Kelley Hammond. To find out more about HITT at Panola College, go to the webpage at http://www.panola.edu/programs/health-sciences/hit/index.html or call Davis at 903-693-1116.

October 7, 2015 - The Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education division is offering an EKG Technician class on Monday, October 19, 2015. The class will meet Mondays and Thursdays until December 10, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. in the Merle Glass building on the Carthage Campus. The cost of the program is $999.00 and preregistration is required. For more information, contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-2067 or email ce@panola.edu.

 

October 7, 2015 - The Panola College men’s basketball team will be hosting a youth fall skills camp. The camp will begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday, October 17th and conclude at noon that day. Camp curriculum will consist of ball handling, shooting, position work, and overall athleticism. Boys and girls between grades 4th through 9th are welcome to attend. The camp will be held in the new Charles C. Matthews student center on the campus of Panola College. The camp will cost $40 and no pre-registration is required. At the conclusion of camp the Panola College men’s basketball team will autograph a team picture for each camper. If you have any questions feel free to reach Coach Adam Blaylock at 903-693-1147 or by email at ablaylock@panola.edu


October 6, 2015 - The Panola College rodeo team traveled to Uvalde, Texas this weekend for the 2nd Southern Region rodeo. The women’s team continued their hot streak by finishing 2nd overall. The men’s team struggled a little bit, but was able to put enough points on the board to stay in the top 5 of the men’s team in the Southern Region.

Bailey Plaisier made a bareback ride good enough to finish in 6th place, and get some team points on the board for Panola College. The Canadian bareback rider is a single event cowboy attending his first year at Panola College.

Breakaway roping is a very fast and competitive event. Two sophomore girls showed their skills this weekend by winning points in Uvalde. Nicole Reeves and Sarah Anne Broussard, who are both Louisiana cowgirls, where on top of their game. Nicole posted a 2.1 second run winning first and second, while Broussard posted a 2.5 second run for 5th place finish.

Taylor Gooch helped the women’s team with an 8.5 second goat tying run, which landed her in the 7th hole. Taylor is a sophomore and is working on her degree in Petroleum Technologies.

The Johnson Twins strike pay dirt again in the team roping. Laramie and Colton Johnson were able to post a time of 7.4 seconds, to win 4th in their event. The brother and sister team are tied for 2nd and 3rd in the overall Southern Region standings.

The most dangerous event in rodeo by far is the bull riding. Braden Richardson captured the victory with a 70 point ride. Braden won a healthy pay check, as he was the only bull rider to qualify with an 8 second ride.

The Women’s team finds themselves in the in the number 1 overall position in the Southern Region, while the Men’s team hangs tight to the 4th spot. The top two teams in the region, both men and women, move onto the CNFR, held at Casper, WY this July.

October 5, 2015 - Fillies volleyball picked up 2 more wins at the TJC Invite, defeating Seward County Community College in 5 sets before sweeping New Mexico Military Institute to close out the day.

 

After taking the first two sets of the day, PC had to hold off a gritty Seward squad to take the match 25-21, 25-22, 23-25,18-25, 15-12. Freshman OH Ana Oliveira led offensively with 16 kills, freshman RS Sharon Tukuaoga added 13, and freshman OH Victoria Santos chipped in 7. Freshman Rachel Henderson continued to prove herself a shutdown blocker, tying a team season high of 12 block assists and 2 solos and sophomore Brittany Lampkin posted 11 block assists and 2 solos in the win. PC was anchored on backrow defense by freshman libero Morgan Currie who led with 20 digs, followed by Oliveira adding 11, and freshman DS Koya Sowells chipping in 8. Currie also added a team high 4 aces. Oliveira's 22 assists completed her triple-double for the match, while sophomore setter Adriana Skipper led with 26.

Playing back to back, the Fillies then defeated  NMMI 25-23, 25-18, 25-11. Ana Oliveira led the way with 8 kills, followed by Brittany Lampkin (5), then Rachel Henderson, Victoria Santos, and freshman Kabreshia Orange all added 4 kills apiece.  Defensively the Fillies were led by freshman MB April Stewart with 3 block assists and 3 solos, while receiving key digs from the backrow trio of Ana Oliveira (10), Victoria Santos (9), and Morgan Currie (8). Adriana Skipper dished out 15 assists and Ana Carolina narrowly missed another triple-double dishing out 10.

With the wins, Panola improves to 21-4 on the season and will return to action Wednesday in a home conference showdown with Paris Jr College at 7pm

 

October 2, 2015 - Wednesday night Fillies Volleyball traveled to Athens, TX and defeated the Trinity Valley Lady Cardinals (25-20, 25-17, 25-20) to close out round one of Region XIV-North play. The Fillies are now the 11th-ranked team in the country, 19-4 overall, 2-2 in conference play, and tied for second place.

 

Throughout conference Panola has been led offensively by a duo of freshmen right sides, Sharon Tukuaoga with 46 kills and Rachel Henderson with 30 kills and 12.5 blocks. Freshmen outsides Ana Oliveira and Victoria Santos have used their versatility to impact heavily, combining for 40 kills and 69 digs.

Libero Morgan Currie has stepped up defensively picking up 60 digs over the course of 4 matches. The setting combination of Adriana Skipper and Sierra Moses once again proved successful with Moses dishing out 78 assists and Skipper adding 68 of her own.

Panola will return to action tomorrow at the TJC Invitational against Seward at 2 pm and New Mexico Military Institute at 4pm.


October 2, 2015 - The Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education division is offering a free Resume Writing class on Thursday, October 29, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The class will be held in the Merle Glass building on the Carthage campus.  Pre-

registration is required.  For more information, contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-2067 or email ce@panola.edu.

September 30, 2015 - The Pines Theater 2015 season, "Timeless Classics and New Favorites," continues Wednesday, October 14, when four Broadway veterans known as The Unexpected Boys present an award-winning tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

"This is easily the best tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons you'll ever hear," said Tara Watson-Watkins, executive director of the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau and artistic director for The Pines. "The Unexpected Boys have performed all over the world, and they have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music, including Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick. They are as close to the real thing as you can get."

The Unexpected Boys is led by creative and managing director Brian Noonan. Noonan has starred on Broadway and national touring companies as The Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Enjolras in Les Miserables, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Jekyll & Hyde, Cable in South Pacific with the legendary Robert Goulet, and Gus/Growltiger in Cats.

The Unexpected Boys' performance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 for floor seats and $30 for balcony seats. Call 936-633-0349 today to purchase tickets or go to www.visitlufkin.com.

The Pines Theater's 2015 season continues with Duwende, a six-person a cappella band, on November 10, and Linda Eder, one of Broadway's most beloved leading ladies, on December 8.

September 30, 2015 - The Panola College Center LVN Program is now accepting applications. The deadline to apply has been extended through October 15, 2015 for the classes starting in January 2016. You may pick up an application at the Shelby College Center located at 3600 Loop 500 East Center, Texas 75935 or at the Carthage Campus in the Health and Natural Science building Nursing Department at 1119 W. Panola Carthage , Texas 75633. For more information please contact: Rachel Paddie 936-598-9543 ex: 6006 or Shelbea Comer 936-598-9543 ex: 6008 Application requirements can be found on the Panola College website at www.panola.edu.

 

September 29, 2015 - The Frances B. Ross Millennium Tower was erected on Tuesday, Sept. 29, on the plaza in front of the Charles C. Matthews Foundation Student Center. The carillon bell tower now anchors the east side of campus, providing students, faculty and staff an artistic reminder of Mrs. Ross’s support for the college. In addition to an accurate timepiece, the clock tower includes carillon bells that will play a variety of musical selections.

“It was exciting this morning to watch the Frances B. Ross Millennium Tower being hoisted to its permanent location,” said Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President. “The Tower is beautiful and I believe that it will quickly become a landmark for the college and our community. Mrs. Ross has long

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