The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) celebrated the completion of the inaugural in-house Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification program this week with a graduation ceremony. All eight of the students to complete the course are enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and will begin working at Tsali Care Center, helping with the transition into the new facility next month. have successfully completed the inaugural Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification program. This innovative course, launched this summer to address workforce shortages in healthcare, concluded on September 11, equipping these students with the skills and knowledge needed to provide essential patient care.
“I am so very proud of the inaugural class of CIHA’s new CNA Program,” said Janet Medford, Dir
ector of Nursing for CIHA and course instructor. “Each and every one of them showed tremendous dedication and commitment to the course and all share an honest passion for serving the elders of the Cherokee Community. I am so excited to watch them as they continue to grow and to be part of the new journey for Tsali Care Center.”
The course marks a significant milestone for CIHA, as it is the first time such a program has been offered in-house. The CNA program was designed to provide flexibility for students, running for two days each week, with students attending for six hours per session, all while earning $15 an hour throughout their training. This unique initiative underscores CIHA’s commitment to investing in the professional development of enrolled members, ensuring they are well-prepared for their roles in healthcare.
In the coming weeks, the students will sit for their CNA Certification exams, but their journey doesn’t stop there. In the meantime, they will begin working at Tsali Care Center as Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), where they will provide valuable support to the facility’s residents.
“We are incredibly proud of these individuals,” said Casey Cooper, CEO of Cherokee Indian Hospital. “They have worked hard and shown their dedication to becoming part of the healthcare workforce in our community. They share a contagious passion for providing care to the residents of Tsali Care. It was such an exciting experience to watch their transformation and to see them all in their scrubs during their graduation ceremony. The fact that they are all enrolled members of the Eastern Band, allowing CIHA to invest in our people and provide educational opportunities right here in our community, makes this achievement even more special.”
The CNA certification program emphasizes the crucial role of CNAs in patient care, including assisting with activities of daily living and ensuring patient safety and comfort.
“The success of this program represents a major achievement for CIHA and the community,” Medford added. “These individuals are not only gaining a certification but are also becoming part of the future of healthcare in our region. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication.”
With this first cohort successfully completing their training, CIHA looks forward to expanding this program to continue providing opportunities for community members to advance their careers in healthcare. The next CNA course is tentatively scheduled for January 2025. Additional details will be released closer to that time.
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is scheduled for the new Tsali Care Center Facility on Thursday, September 19 beginning at 10am. Following the program, facility tours will be available. The transition to the new facility will be complete by mid-October.
