VHS Admissions Team on frontline of customer service

Virginia Health Services’ centralized admissions team handles all incoming patients to our seven nursing and rehabilitation centers.

The team has a combined 50(ish) years of experience with Virginia Health Services. And how do they surprise the individuals they talk to daily?

“Many people are surprised that they get to talk to a human voice,” says team leader Kassie Martin.

They field about 100 (or more) phone calls a day between them. They remain professional, courteous and patient as so many of the individuals they speak with feel the stress of finding a safe place for their loved ones.

Our team members have to know how to decipher insurance information, understand medical charts and breakdown financials.

The team reads medical history and charts – and they get referrals from many sources.

It’s a challenging job to keep track of multiple individuals and where each is in the process. Once the admissions process is completed, the individual transitions to a Resident Navigator at the nursing center to onboard in person, which means our admissions team rarely meets in person those they’ve admitted.

It’s worth it. The team agrees the work they do helps contribute to the community they work in.

Thank you to our team! We can’t do it without you!

Join our team

Our centralized admissions team is looking for a coordinator who is a LPN. Visit vahs.com/careers to apply today.

VHS Maintenance Team makes (everything) work

Creating home-like environments for residents takes a team. The upkeep of each facility requires a team dedicated to working behind the scenes, changing light bulbs, checking the plumbing, and so much more.

It’s National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week (Oct. 22-28), and Virginia Health Services is celebrating its maintenance and facilities staff. VHS operates three senior living communities, seven nursing and rehabilitation centers, and maintains offices for corporate support services, VHS Rehabilitation, VHS Home Health Care and VHS Home Hospice.

Graphic for Facilities and Engineering Week

Jesse Young, VHS Vice President of Facilities and Development, oversees facility maintenance. He says each building (depending on size) has a dedicated maintenance person or an Environmental Services team member responsible for maintenance tasks. There also is a traveling corporate team that handles major projects and serves as a stopgap for vacations or turnover.

There are two team members who have been with VHS for about 20 years, and several others with the team for five years or less.

“We are so dependent on what they do every day, and yet it’s very behind the scenes. A week like this is valuable recognition of the team,” Jesse says.

Maintaining VHS

Jess says skill sets can vary person to person. Someone in each building takes care of routine tasks.

“It’s a lot of light bulbs, toilet repairs, door adjustments – because of our traffic, doors take a beating,” he says.

Some of the tasks are major, and the corporate team helps handle larger-scale tasks, such as AC/heating unit replacements and boilers. The team handles a lot of plumbing repairs.

“It saves us from having to contract out all of the major items,” Jesse says.

Team members are jacks of all trades.

“For the most part, until you get to the major electrical things, it’s more being able to track an issue and think with an analytical mind. The key is someone who can do a little bit of detective work and get to the bottom of whatever it might be,” Jesse says of maintenance team members.

Some of the aesthetic work, such as painting, and some repairs also fall to EVS to balance the work of all teams.

“It works really well that way,” Jesse says.

Facility updates

The team also manages facility upgrades, including some at The Arbors Independent Living, which opened in Port Warwick in 2003.

The flooring is being replaced in several community spaces and some of the furnishings have been replaced. Apartment upgrades also have been made.

The team also participated in the addition of the Dialysis Den to Coliseum Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, which opened this summer.

The Den, which opened in partnership with DaVita Kidney Care, provides on-site dialysis hemodialysis to Coliseum residents, reducing the discomfort, inconvenience and cost of frequent transportation for treatment.

Dialysis Den chair and equipment at Coliseum
The Dialysis Den at Coliseum opened in June. It is operated in partnership with DaVita.

The VHS facilities team also is working on upgrades to the lobbies of the seven nursing and rehabilitation centers. The first to be completed was at Coliseum to coincide with the opening of the Den. Fresh paint, flooring, graphics and furniture spruced up the entryway. Other improvements include in public restrooms and other shared spaces.

Full photo of Coliseum's lobby
Coliseum’s lobby upgrades including fixing the skylights, and updating the furniture and other fixtures.

Join our team!

We are always on the search for talented jacks of all trades! Visit vahs.com/careers to explore our opportunities and apply.

Eight graduate to Nurse Aides from October apprenticeship cohort

Virginia Health Services welcomes its latest graduates from the apprentice program to its workforce. Eight care assistants graduated to nurse aides from the earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program during a ceremony Oct. 13 at the VHS Education Center.

The graduates are Alysse Eagan, Aniyah Fitzgerald, Eureka Johnson, Keyena Oliver, Isabel Perez-Garcia, Darrell Pink, Jazmine Russell and Charise Samuels.

They are employees with VHS, with five going to work at James River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and the rest dispersing to The Newport, Northampton and Walter Reed nursing and rehabilitation centers.

Photo of the graduates
Class of October 2023 apprenticeship graduates during a ceremony Oct. 13 at the VHS education center.

“This class raised the bar. This was an exceptional class,” said instructor Nora Gillespie, RN. “You were together in spirit. You were focused. It was a pleasure to teach you all. I know you’re ready to fly from the nest and start your career.”

The apprenticeship continues over the course of a year, with a review before the state exam (the cost is covered by the program). By passing the state test, the apprentices will be Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs).

“This is the foundation of nursing. Don’t let anyone diminish what you do. You’ll use this going forward,” said Direction of Education Princess Henderson, RN, BSN.

Two graduates are enrolled in RN programs beginning in January. Another is planning to pursue nursing with a concentration in mental health.

By the time the graduation ceremony was over, each graduation walked off with superlative certificates from Nora and Princess for their excellent work over the course of the six-week program. They had to learn 22 skills, pass 24 tests, do six days of clinical skills – all while working weekend shifts as care assistants.

“Nothing is easy about this class,” Nora said. “They have to learn so much.”

The students

Valedictorian Alysse Eagan came into the class with a background in web design.

“I’m proud of all of us for getting to this point. I’m also very thankful. I’ve been bouncing from career to career trying to find something that fit. When I found this, I felt like I found my calling. I’m thankful for all of you and the support you gave me,” she said to her classmates in her valedictorian remarks.

She is enrolled to begin a RN program in January.

Alysse Eagan delivers her valedictorian remarks.
Alysse Eagan delivers her valedictorian remarks.

Salutatorian Jazmine Russell drove to Newport News every day from the Middle Peninsula to attend class. She returned to the class after working in dietary at Lancashire, taking a break after the COVID pandemic put a halt to state testing.

Aniyah Fitzgerald’s mother also works at James River. Aniyah earned a superlative award for clinicals.

“She loves patient care,” Princess said. “She lives for it.”

Eureka Johnson also was a repeat student, earning the Perseverance Award from Princess.

“She can occupy a room and has a heart of gold,” Nora said.

Keyena Oliver, Isabel Perez-Garcia, Darrell Pink and Charise Samuels earned Spirit of Excellence Awards from their instructors for giving 100% to the class.

Keyena “did an amazing job,” Nora said.

Princess said she loved the energy Isabel brought to patient care.

Darrell joined the class with a medical background and served in the Navy. He is enrolled to start in a RN program in January.

“I knew from Day 1 she had it,” Nora said of Charise. “This class really emphasized where you want to be in your career.”

Princess said Charise has a background in mental health and wants to pursue that niche of nursing.

“We care about our students. This class is meant to be here,” Nora said.

Upcoming classes

The next class of apprentices – the last of the year – is slated to begin Oct. 30. The earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program graduates Care Assistants to Nurse Aides and covers the cost of the state exam to be a CNA.

The 2024 class dates for Newport News have been announced and are available at vahs.com/apprenticeship.

Applications will open for the January class later this year. A class also is slated to be offered at Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester in January.

Eight apprentices graduate in September cohort

Virginia Health Services celebrated the graduation of eight apprentices during a ceremony held on Styron Square at Port Warwick in Newport News on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

The students graduated from Care Assistants to Nurse Aides. The earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program, a six-week course that includes classwork and hands-on clinical skills, also covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA.

The class is led by instructor Nora Gillespie, RN, and Director of Education Princess Henderson, RN, BSN.

The graduates will be employed within VHS. There were ties for valedictorian and salutatorian.

The class: Kenneth Akes, Jr. (co-salutatorian), Alaina Bottcher, Caryn Drake, Shanice Fleming, Tara Johnson (co-valedictorian), Amanda Lawson (co-salutatorian), Tyron Paul and Logan Scott (co-valedictorian).

Co-valedictorians Tara and Logan gave remarks during Friday’s ceremony. The graduates celebrated with family and friends during a reception at the education center.

Join the team

Applications will be accepted for our October earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship class on Sept. 11. Classes fill early, so be sure to submit your application once they open. Our students graduate with jobs within VHS and the program offers several benefits, including financial assistance. Visit vahs.com/apprenticeship for more information and to apply.

VHS Home Health Care rolls out mobile health units to patients

VHS Home Health Care has rolled out use of mobile health units to its clients – under their doctors’ orders.

The mobile kit provides patients enrolled with VHS Home Health Care an automatic way to take readings and for nurses on the team to monitor patient progress in real time.

Tia Hunter, LPN, handles initial setup and monitoring for those using the unit.

“I set up the actual machines and show them how to use it. A nurse goes out first to start the care. Every patient has different orders from their doctor, depending on their diagnosis,” she says.

Tia Hunter has been a LPN with VHS Home Health Care for more than two years. She handles initial setup and monitoring of the mobile kits.
Tia Hunter has been a LPN with VHS Home Health Care for more than two years. She handles initial setup and monitoring of the mobile kits.

Equipment in the kit can record weight, blood sugar, oxygen level, blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. It includes a tablet to which each piece of equipment is Bluetooth-enabled and records and transmits the results. The home health team is alerted to the new updates to monitor the patient.

“If something is really off, I can go to their home. I can send text messages, video calls and reminders, all through the system. And they can do the same,” Tia says.

There also are educational videos available to the patients to help them better understand their care, like what are carbohydrates diabetics should or should not eat.

The VHS Home Health team began implementation of the kit in June. The monitored results also are sent to the doctor for assessment.

“The purpose is to try to keep them home and avoid hospitalizations,” Tia says.

It’s cost-saving and a game-changer for many of the team’s patients.

Learn more

VHS Home Health Care helps individuals get back to living their best life by providing skilled care in the safety and comfort of an individual’s home. The team coordinates care with a patient’s doctor.

The team of professionals include nurses, therapists and social workers who will train and educate and individual and their loved ones to help the individual gain independence.

Research shows receiving care at home with home health services can effectively prevent hospitalizations and costly stays. It is typically covered by Medicare and most commercial insurances.

Learn more about VHS Home Health Care at vahs.com/homehealthcare.

Six apprentices graduate to Nurse Aides

Six apprentices graduated from Care Assistants to Nurse Aides in a ceremony Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Virginia Health Services’ Employment, Enrichment and Education (EEE) Center.

The earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program is a six-week course that includes classroom education and clinical skills labs. The program also covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA.

The graduates are Aaliyah Glee, Khaylor Griffin, Stephanie Holland, Naye Tiyanna Holloman-Lee, Marina Thomas and Emma Ward-Senghor.

The students will be team members at York, The Newport, Coliseum and James River Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers. The instructors said each student already is scheduled for the certification exam.

Valedictorian Aaliyah Glee showered appreciation on her classmates during the graduation ceremony.
Valedictorian Aaliyah Glee showered appreciation on her classmates during the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony

Director of Education Princess Henderson, BSN, RN and instructor Nora Gillespie, RN, led the graduation ceremony and provided kind words and anecdotes about the graduates.

Nora opened the ceremony telling the gathered graduates, family and friends that “we are dedicated to the success of our students. We want them to be able to navigate healthcare. We hope you all took something from each of us.

“It’s physically and emotionally hard to work in long-term care. You were all exceptional.”

Princess said it was a wonderful class.

“The sky is the limit. Being a nurse is so rewarding. You all have the qualities a great nurse will have,” she said. “When I would talk to Nora before they came to me, she just said, ‘they’re good. They have it.’”

Princess called valedictorian Aaliyah the “life of the party. She strived to be the best. She’s going to be a great leader.”

Nora said Aaliyah’s smile could light up a room and she enveloped everyone in the class with her warm spirit.

Khaylor had “heart, professionalism and maturity” to do the job without having previous experience in patient care. Stephanie, who earned the clinical superlative award, worked really hard to get where she is, Princess said, and Nora added her compassion shows on her face.

Residents loved Naye, both instructors said. Emma, who joined the class later in life and has experience as a CNA, embraced the teaching style and took her classmates under her wing.

Salutatorian Marina Thomas is loved by her residents on the Jefferson unit at James River.

“She’s a quiet, gentle person who brings joy to the residents,” Princess said.

Join our team

Applications will be accepted for our September earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship class on July 24. Classes fill early, so be sure to submit your application once they open. Our students graduate with jobs within VHS and the program offers several benefits. Visit vahs.com/apprenticeship for more information and to apply.

VHS celebrates CNA Week

The week of June 15-21 is designated by the National Association of Healthcare Assistants as CNA Week. This year’s theme is “We’re Unstoppable.” We know the team of Nursing Assistants and Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) at Virginia Health Services is unstoppable.

We have a range of CNAs, from veterans to those who will graduate from our apprenticeship program to Nurse Aides on June 22. Our CNAs are the eyes and ears of the clinical team at our communities, spending time with the residents and patients. They provide personal care to assist residents in getting ready for the day and aide in all forms of activities of daily life. CNAs build personal relationships with the individuals in their care.

To celebrate this year, we are featuring four CNAs who have come up through VHS’s apprenticeship program in the past two years.

Our team members fell in love with the job because of the residents. And it all started with the team of instructors for our apprenticeship program, Director of Education Princess Henderson, RN, BSN and instructor Nora Gillespie, RN.

The six-week earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program graduates Care Assistants to Nurse Aides and covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA. Apprentices are then employed at our seven nursing and rehabilitation centers.

Three of our featured apprentices graduated from the program about a year ago. Another was in our third graduating class and spent over a year as a CNA before transitioning to activity director of The Huntington Assisted Living. She still works CNA shifts.

Here are their stories.

Devyn Hotop, The Huntington/The Newport

Devyn Hotop considered nursing after graduating from high school, but wanted to attain nurse aide certification to test the waters. She says the apprenticeship – she graduated in the July 2021 class – gave her the foundation she needed and she “really, really liked it.”

She passed her exam on the first try and worked for more than a year as a CNA at The Newport Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Devyn said she always saw the residents having a good time during recreational therapy and when the activity director job opened at The Huntington Assisted Living, she knew she wanted to do it.

“I love this job so much. You develop a lot of one-on-one personal relationships. It keeps you busy, which I like. It’s rewarding knowing you are doing something for them,” she says.

She also picks up CNA shifts at The Newport to be hands-on in patient care.

The Huntington activity director Devyn Hotop graduated in the third apprenticeship class. She still picks up CNA shifts at The Newport.
The Huntington activity director Devyn Hotop graduated in the third apprenticeship class. She still picks up CNA shifts at The Newport.

“In this role, I’ve had so many people help out with stuff. My teammates are always helping me and they always listen. That means a lot. Even in as a CNA, I know I’m coming in to work with people who will help me,” she says.

Devyn says she uses everything she learned during the apprenticeship.

“The class has great teachers,” she says. “Everyone at VHS has been such a good mentor and there’s a lot of support through it all. The class is overwhelming, but worth it in the end.”

CNAs are vital – “they glue down everything,” she says. “They do so much for the residents and provide so much care and spend the most time with them. They know before anyone else if something is off or wrong.”

Anjil Hicks, Northampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Anjil was the valedictorian of her class that graduated in September 2022. She passed her certification exam on the first try.

She comes from a family of nurses and CNAs. She says listening to her family’s stories encouraged her to go into healthcare as well.

“I’ve always been a caring person, genuine. So I wanted to be a CNA, but I didn’t have the money to pay for the class. This was perfect,” she says of the apprenticeship.

Anjil Hicks was the valedictorian of her apprenticeship class and is a CNA at Northampton.
Anjil Hicks was the valedictorian of her apprenticeship class and is a CNA at Northampton.

Anjil says the team at Northampton “is amazing” and is supportive.

“I love my residents. I love helping to take care of them,” she says. “I love my team. Even from outside (the clinical staff), the administration is just so nice and supportive if you need it. This community, I love it.”

She says her foundation came from the apprenticeship class.

“The instructors are the best teachers ever,” she says. “They always made sure we understood the material before we moved on to something new.”

Anjil says she is considering going back to school to be a RN. She knows the team at Northampton will have her back when she does.

Jazmine Martin, York Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Jazmine was working as a patient care aide when she noticed how CNAs interacted with residents and the nursing team.

“I wanted to do more and I looked up CNA classes and saw the one offered by VHS,” she says.

She graduated the class in September 2022. Jazmine says the job is “always a learning experience – there’s always something new.” She gets support and guidance by her teammates at York and The Hamilton Assisted Living.

Jazmine Martin is a CNA at York.
Jazmine Martin is a CNA at York.

She says she was drawn to senior care after seeing how much help her grandparents needed as they aged.

“I just fell in love with older people,” she says.

Jazmine plans to enroll at ECPI to gain her RN license.

“My son makes me want to continue on. I want to push myself to do more for myself and him,” she says.

Her advice to new apprentices: “Always put the residents first. They can tell you, if they’re able to, but put their thoughts in mind. They know when you are around.”

Laurinda Palmer-Yearby, James River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Laurinda – she’s called Palmer on the floor – completed the CNA class in February 2022. She’s primarily been on the Warwick unit at James River since graduation.

She worked as a CNA while living in New York City and went through the apprenticeship class to get certified after moving to Virginia. There are different rules and regulations each state follows.

“I was always going to be a CNA,” she says. “My mother, sister and aunt are nurses. My grandmother was a CNA. My family has a lot of nurses and doctors in it and I was always going to be in healthcare.”

She and her apprenticeship classmates remain tight, texting one another to keep in touch. She also likes working at James River.

Laurinda Palmer-Yearby was a CNA in New York before moving to Virginia where she had to be recertified.
Laurinda Palmer-Yearby is a CNA at James River. She comes from a family of nurses and doctors and knew her career path would be in healthcare.

“I like there to be camaraderie on the floor. If I ask questions here, I’ll get an answer the best I can. Most of the time we do pretty good. We learn from one another,” she says.

She is back in school at Virginia Peninsula Community College (formerly Thomas Nelson) to be a patient care tech, which is an advanced-level CNA. Laurinda says you learn more about how to evaluate a patient, like therapy does. She plans to have it completed by the end of the summer.

“Being a CNA is a little more personable. In a hospital, you don’t get to know the patients. … You don’t come here looking for a relationship with anybody, but you realize they really enjoy having you around to talk to them and to have you help them get ready for the day and attend activities,” she says.

“I love the energy the residents have to give.”

Join our team

Our applications for the apprenticeship program are available at vahs.com/apprenticeship. We also have openings for CNAs at all of our nursing and rehabilitation centers and for our home and community-based services. Visit vahs.com/careers for more.

VHS celebrates Healthcare Recruiter Recognition Day

It’s National Healthcare Recruiter Recognition Day! We’d like to take some time to introduce you to Virginia Health Services’ recruiter Colleen Reynolds. We appreciate all she does daily to recruit individuals to the organization and help them through to the offer process.

In the past year, Colleen has been in the community to build awareness about Virginia Health Services and our employment opportunities. Her focus made her think outside of the box in attracting talent in a competitive industry.

She hosts the Recruiting Roadshow at each of our seven nursing and rehabilitation centers monthly. She attends career fairs throughout Hampton Roads. She made a stop by the Hampton City Schools Academy Career Fair. And she follows up with recent college grads in the community to make sure they are aware of available career paths at VHS.

Colleen has partnered with Rappahannock Community College, Hampton University and Northern Neck Technical Center to conduct mock interviews and better help the students prepare for the “real world” when looking for employment.

She also focuses on connecting with those in the VA and other military outlets to attract retirees and military spouses to careers with Virginia Health Services.

Recruiting Roadshow logo

Colleen says the Recruiting Roadshow allows her to interact with current team members while they are at work, showing appreciation for what they do and being better able to target qualities in candidates.

“It also means being flexible in completing the interview/offer/new hire paperwork process on site,” she says. The Roadshow also gives candidates the chance to meet the team and management and ask questions.

She says she was drawn to recruiting so she could help individuals reach their career goals.

When I am able to make the initial connection with a candidate and follow them through the interview process, all of the way to the job offer, it is extremely rewarding to be a small part of their professional development and journey,” Colleen says.

The healthcare industry stands out because these positions offer job stability – there’s always a need, regardless of location. She says it’s one industry where starting at entry-level can mean advancement to other specialized roles.

“The possibilities are truly endless within the healthcare industry,” she says.

Colleen was born and raised in New York and has lived in the South for the past 16 years. She is a stepmom and dog mom to two girls, an 11-year-old and a French bulldog. She also is a true crime fanatic.

Careers at VHS

We having openings for nursing positions, dietary, housekeeping and more. View our job listings and apply to careers with Virginia Health Services at vahs.com/careers.

Join Colleen on the Recruiting Roadshow in June and July. Click here for the summer schedule.

Provider Magazine: Apprenticeships Move Into Mainstream

Virginia Health Services President and CEO Mark Klyczek was recently quoted in an article in Provider Magazine: “Apprenticeships Move Into Mainstream.”

The article outlines how apprenticeships can boost workforce challenges in healthcare.

Virginia Health Services offers an earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program that graduates Care Assistants to Nurse Aides and covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA. The program has had more than 70 individuals and graduates are employed in VHS nursing and rehabilitation centers.

“It helps bring more structure to what we are doing. It fits our existing training program into a more structured apprenticeship,” Klyczek says in the Provider piece.

“This leads, he suggested, to opportunities for funding to help offset the costs of internal training. He said, ‘When you have an internal apprenticeship program, it may qualify you or the apprentices for additional funding or programs. For instance, for a military veteran, it might mean a housing stipend or other funding is reactivated through the GI Bill.’

“He added, ‘It can grow quickly into more funding than you may think.'”

Read the article.

Learn more about the VHS apprenticeship program at vahs.com/apprenticeship.

Six graduate to Nurse Aides at Virginia Health Services

Six members of the apprenticeship class graduated from Care Assistants to Nurse Aides during a ceremony held Friday, April 28, 2023, at The Arbors Independent Living.

A crowd of friends and family joined the graduates to celebrate their achievement, along with members from the Virginia Health Services corporate office in human resources, Vice President of Operations Don Lundin and President/CEO Mark Klyczek.

The earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program graduates Care Assistants to Nurse Aides and covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA. They are hired as Nurse Aides in VHS facilities – this class will work at Northampton, The Newport, Walter Reed and York Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers – and will undergo reviews with the team at the education center to prepare for the state exam.

Virginia Health Services CEO Mark Klyczek addresses the April 2023 apprentices during a ceremony at The Arbors.
Virginia Health Services CEO Mark Klyczek addresses the April 2023 apprentices during a ceremony at The Arbors.

Mark welcomed and congratulated the class.

“Graduation is always a fun thing to do. It’s the first step in your career in healthcare,” he said. “We want to help you keep moving on in patient care.”

Director of Education and class leader Princess Henderson, RN, added: “It’s only up from here!”

The graduates

The six members of the class attended what instructor Nora Gillespie, RN, calls “CNA bootcamp.” They learned 22 skills and took 14 tests over the course of six weeks.

Nora and Princess praised the graduates. Two members of the class are planning to enroll in nursing school.

Victoria Artis “rocked out clinicals,” Princess said. She listens to her Residents.

Princess said Jadan Byrd worked hard every day and has a heart for this kind of work.

Elle Koller was a “ray of sunshine,” according to Princess. The salutatorian made the Residents feel loved.

Nora recruited Elle during a feeding class at Walter Reed the Thursday before the class began. Elle was supported by her Walter Reed team and VHS to enroll in the class that following Monday. She plans to be in nursing school this summer.

“Now you know you want to be a nurse because you know you can do it,” Nora said of Ebony Spaulding.

“She’s flexible; very go-with-the-flow,” Princess said.

Valedictorian Tennille Warren is “calm and level-headed,” Princess said. She wants to be a doula.

Michelle White, who was awarded the clinical superlative for mastering blood pressure by Princess, “places her focus on the Residents,” Nora said.

Michelle created a sash for her friend Tennille to wear while giving her valedictorian message.

“I want to thank my teachers for pushing me to keep going,” Tennille said. She plans to enroll in classes to further her nursing education at ECPI.

Instructor Nora Gillespie addresses the apprenticeship class.
Instructor Nora Gillespie addresses the apprenticeship class.

The program

“We want our students to be successful,” Nora said to close out the ceremony. “Princess and I look for where we can reach you to make you the best you can be. You’ve got to have heart and care about what you do. We’re very proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

Princess said the class came together to get one another across the finish line.

“I’m proud of your team work,” she said.

Apply to be an apprentice

Our next class of apprentices start May 15. Applications for the July class will open in June and are available online at vahs.com/apprenticeship.

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