Twenty-six students in the Reid State College Technical College’s certified nursing assistant program graduated from the program Thursday morning at RSTC’s Atmore campus.

The students were part of a unique program that was administered through the Region 9 Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC). The program not only provided classroom instruction, but also offered the opportunity for the students to get hands-on training in local health care facilities.

Employer partners in the program included Westgate Village Nursing Home in Brewton, Atmore Nursing Center, Monroe Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center, Englewood Health Care Center, and Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Cindy Lee, administrator of Atmore Nursing Center, said that the new program was a successful one. She had the students visit ANC several times in the past months, to meet with residents and practice skills on the ANC’s clinical mannequin.

“Health care is an industry and a job, but it’s also a home,” she said. “We love our residents, as you learned. I know that you have a lot of challenges ahead of you, but we look forward to working with you as you enter the workforce.”

Other employee partners said the program was not only beneficial to the students, but also to the health care facilities.

“It’s been a very positive idea and very successful,” said Mark Manning, administrator of Westgate Village Nursing Home, to the graduates. “This is a great collaborative effort of several counties in our area, coming together to help put our citizens to work.

“Our industry is about people taking care of people. You must be kind, caring, and compassionate, and I am confident that you will be.”

The employer partners have guaranteed a job for all graduated students.

Laura Chandler, executive director of the SAWDC, thanked Reid State and the health care employers for their cooperation in the program’s success.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this day with you,” she said. “I appreciate your taking the time to share this milestone with your family.”

There were 13 graduates from the Monroeville area and 13 from Escambia County, including Brewton and Atmore. The graduates were Latoya Tucker, Lakesia Moss, Latosisha Kirkland, Ashley McMillian, Brittney Davis, Courtney Bullard, Marissa Murphy, Michelle Lewis, Tamera Silar, Cortina James, Raquel Knight, Rebekah Parker, Hillary Williams, Charletha Ikner, Tashia Williams, Holly Carnley, Isha Thompson, Wykelia Kyles, Rosalind Randelson, Joetta Foster, Ambreya Abney, Kelsey Murphy, Natashi Lett, Shaterane McNeal, Angela Capers and Latoya Washington.