Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) Program Participant – A Proud Success!

Brent Lawson is an Adult participant from the Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) Program, a GST Michigan Works! Service Provider. Brent was referred to the FHEO Program by the Perkins Special Populations Coordinator at Mott Community College.

Brent shared that throughout his life he has had numerous jobs, including working as a long-haul truck driver, but he always knew that he wanted to help others. Between 2000-2004, Brent pursued a career as a Parafemic and an Emergency Room Technician. He also volunteered as a Firefighter in his community. During this time, a personal experience related to healthcare caused Brent to question his confidence as a healthcare worker. This, he decided to leave the healthcare field. In 2015, Brent realized that his true passion was serving his community through healthcare and he made the decision to apply for the nursing program at Mott Community College.

Brent states that his training was “one of the best times of my life.” Brent shared that although he thought of himself as an “untraditional student”, both in terms of age and gender, he felt welcomed by his classmates and instructors throughout the duration of the program. When Brent graduated second in his class in December 2019 he was also servicing as the President of the Student Nurses Association and a member of the Alpha Delta Nu- Eta Gamma Chapter of Nursing honor society, a group in which Brent assisted in forming at the school. Brent was also selected to give the farewell address at the student nurses pinning ceremony after graduation and many classmates thought of Brent as a peer leader.

During Brent’s participation in the FHEO program, he took advantage of many career readiness activities including Empowerment Sessions and mock interviews. Brent’s hard work and determination paid off and in January 2020, he accepted a Registered Nurse position with Ascension Genesys Hospital. Brent says what he enjoys most about his career is the opportunity to help patients through difficult times. Brent says he enjoys continually educating himself has started a Master’s Degree pathway with Western Governors University. Brent shared that, “I am truly thankful for the opportunities that FHEO has given to me and I look forward to a time when I can give back to the program.”

Congratulations, Brent, as you pursue your passion in healthcare!