HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge launches Certified Nursing Assistant student clinicals

Thornton, Colo. - HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge has partnered with FutureForward at Bollman, part of Adams 12 Five-Star Schools' Advanced Medical Sciences-Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, to support the next generation of healthcare professionals through hands-on learning opportunities.

As part of the partnership, the first cohort of 18 CNA students completed a month-long shadowing program at HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge. Students were on-site three days per week, gaining real-world clinical exposure and experience. To maximize learning opportunities, the cohort was split into two groups, with one group participating in morning sessions and the other in afternoon sessions.

"This partnership reflects our commitment to investing in the future of healthcare," said Tonya Levine, chief nursing officer at HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge. "By providing students with meaningful, firsthand experiences early in their education, we are helping build a strong pipeline of compassionate, skilled caregivers who will serve our communities for years to come."

The program is designed to immerse students in a hospital setting, allowing them to practice patient care, interact with healthcare professionals and better understand the day-to-day responsibilities of clinical roles. Through this experience, students can make more informed decisions about pursuing careers in healthcare.

As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow nationwide, initiatives like this play a critical role in addressing workforce shortages. Early workforce development has become a priority for both HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge and Adams 12 Five-Star Schools, ensuring students are prepared to enter high-demand fields while strengthening the local healthcare system.

"When our Advanced Medical Sciences-CNA students stepped into clinicals at HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge, it marked more than a milestone - it was the moment classroom knowledge became compassionate, real-world care," said Kathleena Blackmon, CNA program coordinator at Future Forward at Bollman. "We are proud to partner with HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge in shaping the next generation of caregivers. We are deeply grateful for this collaboration and look forward to many more years of working together to support and inspire future healthcare professionals."

HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge has a longstanding commitment to supporting community health and education initiatives, aligning with its mission to care for and improve human life. This collaboration further strengthens that commitment by investing in local students and creating pathways into the healthcare workforce.