Grace, OrthoWorx Announce Medical Device Quality Program
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Staff Report-
Grace College and OrthoWorx Monday announced open enrollment for the new Medical Device Quality Management Program via www.grace.edu/mdqm Students may now enroll online for the MDQM certificate, MDQM bachelor’s degree and MDQM master’s degree with classes set to begin in January. Five-‐ week certificate courses begin in January and run through the first week of July. Classes will meet each Monday from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Grace College campus in Winona Lake. The MDQM program was developed to train and develop individuals who are currently employed in, or wish to enter the medical device industry or related industries on critical elements of quality management. The five courses in this program can be applied to a certificate, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree, depending on the student’s academic background and educational goals. The MDQM program focuses on the quality systems, post-market surveillance, design control and assurance, manufacturing quality and supply chain – management and statistical processes – that ensure excellence at key stages of the medical device life cycle. The MDQM curriculum emerged from an OrthoWorx-commissioned research-study to identify gaps that exist between the career development needs and educational needs of the regional orthopedic industry and the educational offerings in the area specific to quality management. The certificate and bachelor’s degree were identified as most urgent needs, followed by a master’s degree. “Patient safety is of paramount importance in the medical device industry and companies have very pervasive, complex quality systems for nearly every facet of their operations,” stated OrthoWorx Executive Director Brad Bishop. “We want the Warsaw region to be the best place in the world to acquire the skills and knowledge required for these quality positions. For our region to remain the Orthopedic Capital of the World, we must equip our residents with the abilities they need to meet the requirements of critical fields in the medical device industry. This new program at Grace College contributes to that goal, as do other programs we have developed and are exploring with Ivy Tech Community College. It’s important that all of our education systems are aligned to generate a healthy pipeline of talent.” Students desiring to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in quality management will matriculate through the School of Adult and Community Education at GraceCollege. Quality management bachelor’s students will follow the GOAL adult degree completion model, which launches cohorts in September and January each year. Master’s students can begin classes as early as May. Dean of the School of Adult and Community Education at Grace College Dr. Steve Grill is enthusiastic about launching the MDQM program to expand the college’s industry-based educational program. “Grace College is pleased to partner again with OrthoWorx on this initiative, extending the offerings of OrthoWorx Center of Excellence at Grace College. We look forward to continuing to make significant contributions to the health and vitality of our region by equipping students with the capabilities they need for success in the medical device industry,” he said. Registration for all three tracks (certificate, bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree) is open online at www.grace.edu/mdqm Inquiries can be directed to Allyn Decker, program director, at deckerap@grace.edu or 574-372-‐5100, Ext. 6509.
