A student at Barton Community College had finished her courses in the Medical Assistant program, and all that remained was an internship at an area hospital or clinic. There was only one problem: The student had moved to Mississippi.

That’s why Barton now has a clinical affiliation with Gautier Medical Clinic in Ocean Springs, Miss., according to Elaine Simmons, dean of workforce training and community education.

The college has clinical affiliations with a number of health-care providers, so that students in a variety of programs can spend some time in an actual medical setting. In August, Barton President Carl Heilman approved the affiliation agreement with the Mississippi clinic.

"The student had all of her studies done except the clinical internship," Simmons said. "We were able to help that student finish her education."

Each month, the college president reports agreements he has approved.

Another clinical affiliation agreement was approved with Mercy Regional Health Care Inc. in Manhattan, and he approved a cooperative agreement with the Clay County Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Two other agreements approved last month may expand a previous Barton program that allowed Ellinwood High School students to receive Emergency Medical Technician training in their school. Heilman approved agreements to deliver EMT training on campuses in Ellsworth and Claflin.

The college continues to approve 2+2 agreements with four-year colleges and universities, so that Barton students can take a two-year program here and transfer seamlessly into a four-year program. In August, Heilman approved the following 2+2 agreements with Kansas State University:

• Natural Gas Distribution and Transmission and Technology Management

• Automotive Technology and Technology Management

• Economics and Interdisciplinary Social Science

• Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Science

• Family Studies and Human Services

• Early Childhood Education.