On December 5, 2018, it was a great shock to hundreds of students and dozens of faculty and staff who learned that Brightwood College (formerly Kaplan College) would be closing down. Seventy-five campuses would shutter unexpectedly, including their Los Angeles campus. The growing dread of college loans and student debt in this country brought a real fear about what would happen to these students’ tuition payments.
Veronica Lopez was one such student, only ten months away from completing her A.O.S. degree in the Radiologic Technology program. “We wanted someone to blame, even though we knew no one on our campus was responsible. We didn’t know whom to direct our anger at”.
James Murrell, Dean of Imaging, was left feeling powerless to address his students’ all-too-real concerns. While some programs were shifted to nearby schools, others, such as Radiologic Technology and Limited X-Ray Technician, were more difficult to move due to complex accreditation requirements and State of California Laws.
Murrell had the programmatic documents, nationally recognized faculty, a maximum eight (8) year accreditation from the Joint Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology® (JRCERT®), and 110 students from two programs who wanted to complete what they started. So, it was fate when Dr. Ted Vanderlaan, Vice President of Innovation and Strategy for Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, called Murrell about the programs and students. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’ C-Suite staff performed a quick interview process, hiring Murrell and his team.
With the new campus and staff in place, 110 Limited X-Ray Technician students could complete their programs on time and at the cost initially promised by Brightwood College. Seventy-eight students would proudly walk the stage on Thursday, November 21, 2019, with their families and friends.
RT student Ruba Khalil praised, “I am glad Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts accepted us. No other school would allow Brightwood College students to finish our program without repeating multiple courses for thousands of dollars. We were allowed to finish our program where we left off. They [Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts] matched the same tuition that the former school charged.”
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Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private academy offering quality allied health and nursing programs operating six (6) campuses in California: San Mateo, Modesto, Fresno, Concord, Sacramento, and Van Nuys. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts offers medical and nursing programs, including Vocational Nurse (LVN), Ultrasound Technology, Radiologic Technology, MRI, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Medical Assistant Program. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) institutionally accredits Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.
