Atrium Health Navicent’s Rise to Success Program Celebrates First Graduate
In high school, Nya Jenkins knew she wanted to work in health care. She received nurse aide training as part of her high school curriculum and passed the state Certified Nurse Aid examination.
But, it was Atrium Health Navicent’s Rise to Success program that set her on her current path. Two years later, Jenkins is the program’s first graduate and, with an associate degree completed she also has a full-time job at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center as a surgical technologist.
“The Rise to Success program helped me establish myself, expand my vision and get a job straight out of high school,” Jenkins said. “It also inspired my siblings to go to school and helped me be a better role model for them. Seeing the impact I had on my family inspired me and gave me the push to keep going.”
Rise to Success offers central Georgia graduating high school seniors an opportunity to earn an associate degree at a local community college while gaining valuable on-the-job experience. Tuition, textbooks, activity fees and scrubs are paid for by Atrium Health Navicent for up to three years, as long as the student remains in the program.
While earning an associate degree in a health care field, participants work part-time in entry-level positions such as guest services, patient services, registration, patient transport or in clerical or administrative positions. Students also have access to a mentor who supports their academic work and success throughout the program.
Jenkins earned an Associate of Science degree in surgical technology from Central Georgia Technical College and began working full time at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center last month. After taking a break from school, she plans to continue her education with a goal of becoming a nurse.
“As hospitals across the nation continue to face a growing need for health care workers, it’s so very important that Atrium Health Navicent does all it can to support young people in pursuing health care careers right here in central Georgia,” said Atrium Health Georgia Market President Delvecchio Finley. “By helping young people like Nya, we’re securing a pipeline of trained health care workers to fill critical job roles for today and the future. Congratulations to Nya on her graduation, and her new role!”
To learn more about the Rise to Success program, email careerdevelopment@atriumhealth.org.
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and well-being through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 130-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit Navicent Health.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Advocate Health is nationally recognized for its expertise in heart and vascular, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs more than 160,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to redefining care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.