Pathway to Healthcare through NCUS Tec

When Loraydia Green was eight months pregnant and homeless, she was referred to NCUS to aid in turning her life around.

Without transportation, she trekked to campus through walking and bus rides from her shelter to learn more about NCUS Tec and get enrolled in the phlebotomy program, a path she found interesting and stimulating.

After a short maternity leave, she officially started the program while her daughter was just three months old.

“It was scary, and I lived here in Columbus with no family,” Green said. “When I started going, I would drop her off and go to class. Everyone, from staff to career coaches, helped in a way. People are going to make sure you understand the program and classes.”

She’s especially thankful to Aymee Chevellard, program coordinator, and Nurse Tonja Lowe, RN, BSN, health care program coordinator at NCUS Tec, who influenced her career path and approach while providing solid mentorship.

“Career coaching is very important to the progress of our students and very hands-on. Our coaches get to know our students from day one, and every student participates,” said Chevellard.

The NCUS method? Providing resources without hand-holding,

“I have a misdemeanor criminal background, got my GED and built my life up from the ground — a lot of our career coaches have that similar lived experience. We take a real boundary and say ‘I will help you help yourself,’” she said.

With the help of Chevellard, Nurse Lowe and the NCUS team, Green secured a phlebotomist position with Ohio State, and now has her sights set on nursing school.

“When I had my daughter at OSU, I told them, ‘if I work for any hospital, I want to work for you guys’ because they treated me so well. I kind of spoke it into existence,” Green said.

Currently pregnant with her second baby, she’s looking forward to choosing a flexible nursing school program that allows her to prioritize both her education and her growing family.

“People should know these programs can turn your life around. Even if you think it’s the wrong time — I didn't think it was the right time, but I pushed through and did it,” she said.