CANANDAIGUA – Four individuals who are certified nursing assistants (CNAs) for UR Medicine Thompson Health recently completed their licensed practical nurse (LPN) education through a new program the health system launched to help staff members advance in their careers.
Graduating on Aug. 15 from the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES LPN program were:
- Andrew Baader of Naples
- Becky Bassett of Canandaigua
- Wendy Lackey of Canandaigua
- Nikki Salisbury of Clifton Springs
The four all work in Thompson’s M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center and, while CNAs, started their LPN classes in September of 2019. Thanks to a stipend made possible in large part by a local donor, they were able to work part-time at M.M. Ewing while maintaining their full-time incomes. In addition, through a combination of sources, Thompson covered their tuition.
Thanks once again in large part to the donor – who was motivated by gratitude for his wife’s care at M.M. Ewing – Thompson will be able to help additional Thompson-employed CNAs who are interested in becoming LPNs in the future.
“We know that both time and money are often a barrier to those who want to continue their education, so we are tremendously grateful to the primary donor and to others who have made this program possible,” said Thompson Health Vice President of Long-Term Care Amy Daly. “We are also incredibly proud of our recent graduates as they prepare to use their new knowledge and skills to care for our residents in an enhanced capacity. We know how hard they have worked to reach this achievement, and we are excited for them as well.”