Dustin Hicks, Practical Nursing Instructor and Simulation Specialist at Meridian Technology Center, was named the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Health Science Education Division Teacher of the Year.

The award recognizes teachers who provide outstanding Health Science Career and Technical programs for students in the health field. Recipients have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs, which are serving to improve and promote career and technical education.

Hicks was also chosen as the Oklahoma ACTE Postsecondary Teacher of the Year award in August 2016 after competing against other divisional postsecondary CareerTech teachers during the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology (CareerTech) Education’s annual Summer Conference. After competing against other Postsecondary Teacher of the Year state winners from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas, Hicks was awarded ACTE Region IV Postsecondary Teacher of the Year making him one of five finalists for the national award.

Hicks has led the effort to incorporate technology in all aspects of the practical nursing curriculum at Meridian. He facilitated the transformation of the nursing curriculum to a digital format which increased student access to program resources outside of the classroom. He also implemented the use of iPads in the nursing program, which provided mobile access to classroom and clinical resources, and has been a leader in developing the use of medical simulation within the CareerTech system across the state of Oklahoma.

The impact of Hicks’ work is a contributing factor to the success of Meridian’s Practical Nursing graduates. Program completers have scored above the national average for the last two years. Additionally, data from the last five years reflects that program graduates have a 98 percent NCLEX state licensing exam pass rate, 92 percent job placement, 93 percent employer satisfaction and 98 percent graduate satisfaction.

ACTE is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association, committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. ACTE promotes merit in career and technical education by recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to this field, programs that exemplify the highest standards and organizations that have conducted activities to promote and expand CTE programs.

For more information or to enroll visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.