Bethesda Health Group Foundation recently received a commitment for $200,000 from Emerson Charitable Trust to fund its Senior Caregiver Workforce Development Program, an educational program that prepares entry-level workers to become Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) and Certified Medication Technicians (CMTs).

On April 30, seven Bethesda employees completed the first series of classes preparing them to become CNA caregivers. Congratulations to:

• Brandy Butler and Lakeisha Simpson (Bethesda Senior Support Solutions employees)• Grace Kenyon (Bethesda Dilworth employee)• Daniel Calmese, Alexis Ruffin, Carlton Underwood and Tim Whittaker (Barnes-Jewish Extended Care employees)

Grant proceeds from Emerson Charitable Trust help fund the delivery of course curriculum, scholarships and program essentials like scrubs and transportation. Program participants attended class two days a week for three months. In addition, each took the classwork on their own time, and continued to work full-time at Bethesda while they completed their courses.

Led by Staff Development Coordinators Dottie Schaefer, Jill Immethun, Kathy Cranor and Lisa Stolzer, the program will be the first of many to come, providing additional career opportunities and a career ladder to our employees from across Bethesda’s communities and businesses thanks to Emerson. Participants of the program are also eligible to enroll in a CMT class in November.

The next CNA course begins August 6. Please contact Dottie Schaefer at 314-797-5782

Bethesda Foundation Bethesda News