Warm Hearth Village (WHV), and the Health Care Academy of Southwest Virginia recently partnered to create a healthcare education program at the Kroontje Health Care Center (KHCC) of Warm Hearth to train and produce highly skilled In home and facility caregivers and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Thanks to grants from New River Mt Rogers Workforce, tuition and material fees were waived.
Jennifer McKenzie, Administrative Coordinator with Senior Home Share and the Health Care Academy explained that CNAs are still in short supply across the country. “Local community colleges are no longer offering these classes due to lack of instructors. Due to the high demand for skilled healthcare workers, the academy was created to fill the gap.” She added, “We also acknowledge that this state approved class is a great way to begin a career in healthcare and is also a great recruitment tool for local healthcare facilities.”
All of the students were from our local community and participated in the seven-week class at KHCC. They received their Nursing Assistant certificate at graduation ceremonies held January 4th. Graduates were: Anna Brookman, Micah Catron, Matyia Kyle, Heather Pritchett, Jessica Simmons, and Hope Smith.
The next class will begin January 15 at KHCC. Contact Jennifer McKenzie at 276-238-1448 to enroll and begin the financial grant assistance process. Applicants who qualify may have tuition and material fees waived.
