In this position, Bacon's primary goal is to be available for his students so that their educational needs are met and any questions are answered.
"It is my intent to provide an educational program and environment where students can evolve into knowledgeable, competent and caring health care professionals, said Bacon.
"One of our challenges is that of retaining students once they have enrolled in the program," added Bacon. "Helping students reach their goal of completion is important to the entire faculty here."
Bacon is a registered respiratory therapist with a 20-year career in respiratory care, including supervisory experience, and clinical and didactic teaching experience.
His experience took him to Saudi Arabia from 1992 to 1998, where he held positions including senior therapist with the Department of Pediatrics, at the Rlyadh Al Kharj Military Hospital in Saudi Arabia.
He also served in the positions of clinical instructor, supervisor and staff therapist, Department of Respiratory Care, at Rlyadh's Prince Sultan Cardiac Center.
Locally, Bacon served as supervisor, Department of Respiratory Services, and as staff therapist, Department of Respiratory Care, at Polyclinic Medical Center, Harrisburg. He previously had learned and practiced all aspects of respiratory care at Polyclinic, obtaining his graduate certificate in six months and becoming registered in one year.
He also had served as a research technician at Hershey Medical Center for several years following his graduation from Elizabethtown College with a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology. He also completed the Graduate Therapist program in Respiratory Therapy from the University of Chicago.
Bacon has served as adjunct faculty member at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, and Millersville University, Millersville, PA.
Medical assisting is the seventh fastest growing occupation in the United States. HACC's Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Information about HACC's Medical Assistant program may be obtained by visiting the Health Career Programs area of the campus website, www.hacc.edu. Those with specific questions about the program may contact coordinator Joel Bacon by calling 717-221-1326 or emailing jlbacon@hacc.edu