Have you ever wondered what it’s like to care for someone in their most vulnerable moments — and make a real difference in their life?
The Upper Valley Nursing Assistant Training Program opens that door for students and community members in the Upper Valley. It’s more than a class — it’s hands-on experience, mentorship, and a clear career pathway all in one.
Launched in Spring 2024 by Cascade Medical in partnership with Mountain Meadows Senior Living Campus, the program was created to build a strong, local healthcare workforce from within our community. After demonstrating early success in its first cohorts in 2024, the program expanded in January 2026 to include a high school pathway in partnership with Cascade High School — bringing CNA training directly into the classroom.
Today, students can earn state certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) entirely within the Upper Valley. They learn in the classroom, practice skills across hospital, skilled nursing, and assisted living settings, and complete state testing without ever leaving their community.
Why This Matters
In rural communities like ours, access to healthcare depends on people who are trained, skilled, and ready to care. CNAs are essential to hospitals, long-term care, and safe patient outcomes. Cascade Medical and Mountain Meadows recognized a need: talented local students and community members lacked accessible pathways into healthcare careers.
How the Program Works
Students in the program:
- Learn the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a CNA
- Complete hands-on clinical experience across care settings
- Earn full state certification locally
High school juniors and seniors, recent graduates, and other community members can all participate. The program also provides a foundation for advanced healthcare education, including nursing.
What Instructors Say
Christian Brown, RN, Instructor with 34 years of experience (Trauma ICU, Child Psychiatry, Case Management):
“Teaching the CNA program brings me joy. Watching students try their best and grow in skill and confidence is heartwarming. They all bring different styles and personalities, and through teaching I’m reminded how many people truly want to serve others. The hardest part is the end of the class — I fall in love with these students and know I won’t see them as often once they step into their careers.”
Amanda Ledezma, RN, BSN, Instructor with more than 15 years of experience (Long-Term Care, Skilled Nursing, Senior Living Leadership):
“My greatest satisfaction with the CNA program has been the impact we have made on individuals who felt they would not otherwise have had an opportunity to enter healthcare. One employee told me, ‘I always thought I would just work in housekeeping because that’s what my mom did my whole life. I never knew how to find other opportunities. I’m grateful someone believed in me.’
I take great pride in our program removing the barriers people face in pursuing higher training and entering healthcare.”
Alex Riggs, RN, BSN, CIC, Instructor with 16 years of experience:
“My greatest satisfaction with the CNA program, is probably when I see the students start to become a little more confident after performing practical skills.”
Shawndra Duke, RN, Instructor with 5 years of experience:
“My greatest satisfaction with the CNA program has been serving such a diverse group of students — from young people just starting their healthcare journey to adults exploring career changes and even a student over 70. Many are motivated by personal experiences, like caring for a loved one or managing their own health. This program gives our community members opportunities they might not otherwise have — and at a fraction of the cost of similar programs elsewhere.”
Community Partnerships
The program works closely with:
- Mountain Meadows Senior Living Campus, where students complete clinical rotations
- Cascade High School, helping students access the program and providing guidance and support
- Cascade Medical Foundation, funding classroom materials, manikins, and equipment
- Washington Association for Community Health, helping with credentialing and testing
What Students Can Achieve
Graduates of the program:
- Earn CNA certification and start working locally
- Gain experience to meet nursing school prerequisites
- Build a career that makes a difference in their community
This program doesn’t just teach skills — it shows students they belong in healthcare, and that their service matters to the people around them.
Upper Valley Nursing Assistant Training Program is about more than training — it’s about opening doors, building confidence, and creating opportunities for the next generation of caregivers in the Upper Valley.