BCTC Aspiring Nursing Student Saves Customer’s Life

Published on Nov 7, 2023

Lexington, KY – Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) celebrates and recognizes Alexandria (Alex) Cowherd, an aspiring nurse. 

Alex is currently enrolled at BCTC in the Medicaid Nurse Aide program with aspirations of becoming a nurse. She applied the skills that she is learning in the class at her full-time job at Wendy’s. There was a man who had overdosed and the woman with him was trying to wake him up. Alex stepped in to help. “I want to work in the NICU and help babies,” said Cowherd, who has a two-year-old daughter. “I've always wanted to help babies for as long as I can remember.” An article about Cowherd’s heroism was featured in USA Today.

The BCTC Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs are moving in an upward trajectory for student success. The Danville Practical Nursing Program had a 100% pass rate with the 2023 cohort. “This was a group of 18 (16 ladies and 2 young men) that started in August of 2022 and finished in June of 2023,” said Dr. Melanie Sallee, Practical Nursing Coordinator. “They received didactic instruction and nursing skills practice on campus. They completed clinicals at several of our community partner facilities, including Ephraim McDowell Health, The Willows, Baptist Richmond, and UK Clinics. They also gained valuable experience with special populations thanks to Morning Point, Eastern State Hospital, Cumberland Family Medical Center, and Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center,” said Sallee. 

These students came from Lexington, Georgetown, Richmond, Columbia, Bardstown, Stanford, Frankfort, Liberty, and Danville.

“This was a very diverse group of individuals with a common goal who were willing to work together to achieve that goal. They now have a solid foundation to build upon as they start their nursing career. And not just knowledge and skills, but they understand they are professionals with a huge responsibility - to provide safe care with dignity to each patient,” said Sallee. 

PracticalNursing.org, a leading resource for LPN students, announced that Bluegrass Community & Technical College - Lexington's Practical Nursing (PN) program in Kentucky has achieved a top ranking in their annual assessment. They take pride in recognizing exceptional programs, and BCTC has been acknowledged for its excellence in Kentucky.  

"BCTC Nursing Division is committed to teaching excellence and student success,” said Dr. Connie Lamb, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of Nursing. “Our goal is providing a quality nursing education across all programs to a diverse student population," said Lamb.

“First and foremost, I am so proud of the quick action that Alex took to save someone’s life,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, Acting President at BCTC. “Furthermore, I am so pleased that she gained her skills at BCTC and dreams of continuing her education with us,” said Feeney. “We take great pride in providing high quality teaching for our students to enter the workforce well prepared. Congratulations to Alex and to our Nursing programs for the great work they are doing,” said Feeney.