Following the transition from the old Tsali Care Center to its new, state-of-the-art facility last fall, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) seized the opportunity to invest in the future of healthcare education. Rather than selling off surplus equipment, CIHA Project Manager Christina Panther facilitated the donation of $85,000 worth of medical equipment to area Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, supporting Cherokee Central Schools, Smoky Mountain High School, and Swain High School.
The donated items included hospital beds, medical lifts, patient scales, linen closets, and more and have already been integrated into classrooms, providing hands-on learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare.
For Kennica Bradley, a senior at Cherokee Central Schools, the donation has been a game-changer. As she works toward completing her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification, the real-world equipment has enhanced her hands-on training. Bradley, who is set to graduate this spring and has already been accepted to the University of Alabama, credits the resources with helping her jumpstart her healthcare career as she pursues her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.
According to Swain High School CTE teacher Richard Stephenson, the equipment has transformed his classroom into a fully functioning hospital room, allowing students to apply their skills in a realistic setting. “From patient scales to hospital beds that weigh patients, the donations have given students an opportunity to put their knowledge into practice,” said Stephenson.
As part of the initiative, staff from Cherokee Indian Hospital visited Swain High School’s Healthcare and Health Services classes, including Nursing Fundamentals, Pharmacy Technician, and Health Science and Biomedical courses as well as spoke to the Nursing Fundamental students at Smoky Mountain High School. They engaged with students about career opportunities at CIHA and the broader field of rural healthcare.
CIHA CEO Casey Cooper emphasized the importance of such collaborations in addressing workforce challenges in rural healthcare. “Oftentimes in rural healthcare, we have to get creative to address workforce concerns. A great way to do that is to empower youth from the beginning, showing them just how meaningful and rewarding a career in healthcare can be,” said Cooper. “Whether through mentorship opportunities, job shadowing, equipment donations, or education programs like CNA clinicals, these partnerships are instrumental in ensuring the next seven generations of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will have a strong, competent, and compassionate healthcare workforce.”
By providing students with real-world experience and professional exposure, CIHA continues to invest in the future of Indigenous healthcare—ensuring the next generation is well-prepared to serve their communities with knowledge, skill, and heart.
