Providence Medical Group Alaska graduates first cohort of Certified Medical Assistant apprentices

Program builds a pipeline into the medical assistant profession

Graduates of the PMG Alaska CMA apprenticeship program include (left-to-right): Cezanne Borromeo, Mikayla Curtis and Tina Carlisle.

Providence Medical Group (PMG) Alaska has graduated its first cohort of Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) apprentices. Graduates include Cezanne Borromeo, Mikayla Curtis, and Tina Carlisle.

Launched in fall 2021 through a partnership with the Southcentral Area Health Education Center (SCAHEC) and the Alaska Primary Care Association (APCA), the CMA apprenticeship program builds a pipeline into this profession. The program offers a combination of on-the-job learning provided by Providence and academic study provided by SCAHEC and APCA. The program was funded in part by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

"This program was one of the best things that could have happened to me," said Mikayla Curtis. "Without this program, I would have had to quit my job and dive thousands of dollars into debt [to become a CMA]. Providence and the Alaska Primary Care Association gave me the opportunity to advance my career without putting myself and family in a tough situation."

All apprentices have an experienced mentor, who helps teach and guide the apprentice's on-the-job learning. At the conclusion of the program, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) apprentices sit for the National Health career Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification exam.

Future CMA apprentice training opportunities will be posted to the Providence Alaska Careers website.

__________________

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.