In 2021, leaders at Jennie Stuart Health gathered to confront a growing challenge facing our region — the urgent shortage of healthcare workers. Instead of waiting for solutions from outside, they looked within their own community. That year, they discovered that Gateway Academy offered a powerful, hands-on Health Science pathway, featuring MNA, Phlebotomy, Biomedical Science, Allied Health, Sports Medicine, Pharmacy Tech, and more.
Recognizing the potential, Jennie Stuart took a bold step: they hired three students. What began as a pilot quickly grew into one of the strongest workforce pipelines in Western Kentucky.
A Partnership That Grew Because It Worked
Employer commitment made all the difference. Jennie Stuart didn’t treat the partnership as an experiment — they invested time, training, mentorship, and trust. The results were immediate:
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Students gained confidence, technical skills, and real job readiness.
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Families saw long-term value and encouraged participation.
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Teachers and counselors became champions of the program.
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Students shared their experiences, inspiring their peers.
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The community witnessed firsthand that this partnership was filling real healthcare needs — right here at home.
The impact was more than educational. It strengthened the local economy, kept talent in Christian County, and gave young people purpose, direction, and a place to belong.
Today: A Model for Workforce Development in Kentucky
Fast forward to today, and that small beginning has become a thriving program anchored in commitment and community.
Jennie Stuart/Deaconess Hospital has allocated resources to hire 24 CCPS students, mentoring them through year-long rotations across 22 clinical sites. These rotations mirror early medical school experiences, exposing students to:
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Patient care
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Sterile processing
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Lab technology
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Imaging
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Pharmacy
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Emergency care
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And dozens of specialized clinical environments
Students are learning highly technical skills under some of the most experienced, compassionate medical professionals in the Southeast.
Many continue working PRN as CNAs or Sterile Processing Technicians while in college — earning while learning. Students who choose to stay local can pursue their RN degree at Hopkinsville Community College with zero debt through the Rotary Scholars Program, the Rotary Healthcare Impact Program, and Jennie Stuart’s tuition reimbursement program.
This partnership retains local talent, reduces recruitment costs for the hospital, and builds a sustainable workforce pipeline for years to come. No matter where these students land — nursing school, medical school, biomedical engineering, or healthcare technology — this experience shapes their future.
Meet the Students Building the Future of Healthcare
We are proud to recognize this year’s CCPS students working at Jennie Stuart/Deaconess Hospital:
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Adilyn Uchiyama
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Aireona Spikes
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Amani Pizana
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Ashlea Russell
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Bryan Roblero
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Clara Petty
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Colton Davidson
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Jayda Turner
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Jalaysia Stewart
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Kadarius Wadlington
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Kaidence Atwell
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Kayionia Cheatham
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Kaylyn Burgess-Lynch
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Karla Pindea Quintanilla
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Kiesherra Cushenberry
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Kveon Ivory
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Lainey Chaudoin
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Lainey Stewart
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Mariana Vieyra
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Maya Bailey
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McKenna Vanderkolk
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Nathaniel Radford
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Sam Norwine
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Zikeyah Wilson
These students represent the future of healthcare — compassionate, capable, and committed to serving others.
Thank You to Our Partners
This program thrives because of the exceptional leadership at Jennie Stuart/Deaconess Hospital:
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Betsy Scroggins, AVP of Nursing
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Mrs. Laverne Hull, Administrative Support
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Mrs. Jasmine Emerson, HR Director
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And the countless mentors, nurses, and medical professionals who guide, teach, and inspire our students every single day.
Thank you for investing in our youth and strengthening the future of healthcare in Christian County.
If your business or organization would like to join our CCPS Co-op and Work-Based Learning Program, contact me, Kelly Gates, at kelly.gates@christian.kyschools.us.
Together, we’re creating opportunities that heal, inspire, and build a stronger tomorrow — one student at a time.
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