{"id":66993,"date":"2022-11-29T12:13:16","date_gmt":"2022-11-29T19:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=66993"},"modified":"2024-01-25T10:42:37","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T17:42:37","slug":"uchealth-helps-pay-for-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/uchealth-helps-pay-for-education\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s ‘school, school, school’ for nursing assistant now that UCHealth has pledged $50 million for employee education program"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
\"Aureen
Aureen Thomas hopes to become a registered nurse someday now that UCHealth will pay for her education. Thomas is a lifelong learner and is eager to keep growing her paychecks especially because she helps support family in Nigeria. Photo by Sonya Doctorian for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The nursing assistant cares for hospitalized patients during overnight shifts, tends three young children and helps support family in Nigeria.<\/p>\n

Despite being incredibly busy, Aureen Thomas, 35, just completed a new medical certification in record time, and the sky\u2019s the limit for her future career and education plans thanks to a new UCHealth program that pays for her education.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s school, school, school for me. I have a lot left to do in my life,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

Thomas is a certified nursing assistant in a medical surgical progressive care unit at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital<\/a>. She just completed a phlebotomy course and now can pick up additional shifts drawing patients\u2019 blood. Next, Thomas is eager to complete a pharmacy tech program. Then she hopes to become a registered nurse.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s in my blood. I love caring for people and showing them love and empathy to help them heal faster,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

UCHealth pledges $50 million for employee education programs over four years<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n

UCHealth Ascend Career Program: How it works<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Employees can choose from three types of programs.<\/p>\n

Fully funded programs and courses<\/h3>\n

UCHealth pays 100% f tuition for select clinical programs, high school diplomas, English courses and more.<\/p>\n

Partially funded programs<\/h3>\n

UCHealth directly pays tuition for up to $5,250 per year for a wider selection of in-network programs.<\/p>\n

Tuition reimbursement<\/h3>\n

UCHealth will reimburse employees up to $5,250 per year for accredited programs outside of the Ascend catalog.<\/div>\n

Thomas and other UCHealth employees now can add to their educational credentials and keep scoring higher-paying health care jobs thanks to the new Ascend Career Program.<\/p>\n

Leaders at UCHealth have pledged to invest $50 million over the next four years to pay for educational programs for employees. Ascend is a partnership with Guild Education, a career opportunity company that partners with employers like UCHealth to help employees earn certificates and new degrees.<\/p>\n

UCHealth is the first hospital system in Colorado to launch a program with Guild.<\/p>\n

Employees who work at least half-time for UCHealth qualify for Ascend and are eligible to apply for the program starting on their first day of work.<\/p>\n

\u201cAscend offers debt-free education,\u201d said David Mafe, UCHealth\u2019s chief diversity officer. \u201cIt gives our folks the ability to think, \u2018If I could choose any career, what would I want to be? And how do I get there?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Along with a catalogue of educational choices, Ascend offers coaching to help employees achieve their goals.<\/p>\n

\"David
David Mafe is UCHealth’s chief diversity officer. He manages the Ascend program that is funneling $50 million over the next four years to pay for educational programs for UCHealth employees. Photo courtesy of David Mafe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The program can spark multi-generational change by giving people a path to success.<\/p>\n

\u201cEducation ceases to be a barrier,\u201d Mafe said.<\/p>\n

He said Ascend is more than a career ladder. People can zigzag in multiple directions to add to their skills and education.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re able to climb wherever you wish,\u201d he said. \u201cAs our folks are able to see more opportunities, this changes the dynamics for their families.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through stable jobs that come with bigger paychecks and insurance benefits, people can provide health and wealth for their families.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s really good for all of the communities we serve,\u201d said Mafe, who is also vice president of human resources for UCHealth\u2019s Denver-area region.<\/p>\n

A family tragedy in Nigeria makes her earnings all the more essential<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Aureen Thomas came to the U.S. from Nigeria eight years ago and experienced a devastating family trauma in 2020. Thomas’ mom was a victim of violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had 12 bullets all over her face and head,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

\"Aureen
Aureen Thomas’ mom depends on her daughter to help support her after a violent attack. Photo courtesy of Aureen Thomas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of Thomas\u2019 two sisters lives with their mother, and Thomas provides financial support.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am the head of the household for them,\u201d said Thomas.<\/p>\n

Her husband also immigrated from Nigeria. He\u2019s an accountant and has been living and working in the U.S. for 18 years. Together the Denver couple is supporting two families: Thomas\u2019 relatives in Nigeria and their family here in Colorado. The couple is proud parents of 4-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, along with a 2-year-old daughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt hasn\u2019t been easy. I divide every paycheck. Everything that comes in gets shared,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

A love of lifelong learning \u2014 and late-night study sessions \u2014\u00a0power her success<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While tears fill Thomas\u2019 eyes when she thinks back to the devastating shooting, her mom\u2019s strength and determination motivate her every day.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because Thomas\u2019 mom taught her three daughters to be lifelong learners.<\/p>\n

Her mom first studied English as a second language. She then earned a Master\u2019s degree in linguistics, then at age 60, completed a Ph.D. in English as a second language.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s always been a bookworm. She\u2019s always encouraged us and said, \u2018You\u2019re never finished with school. You keep going,\u2019\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

For Thomas, that now means making do with very little sleep so she can finish schoolwork late at night.<\/p>\n

She encourages fellow workers to take advantage of Ascend as well but understands that it\u2019s tough to carve out time for school.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you think about working many hours, and you have no time for yourself. It\u2019s hard to spend time studying. Some people think, \u2018I could use those hours to make more money and pay the mortgage or take care of kids,\u2019\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut when UCHealth pays for programs, it\u2019s really worth it. You have to think of the future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Does
Aureen Thomas, a certified nursing assistant who works nights, helps her patient, Renee Koustas, order oatmeal as soon as the kitchen opens in the morning. On top of her regular work, Thomas is participating in the Ascend Career Program and plans to become a nurse. UCHealth will pay for her education. Photo by Sonya Doctorian for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Always a go-getter, always eager to learn<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The minute Thomas\u2019 supervisor heard about Ascend, she knew it would be a perfect fit for her standout employee.<\/p>\n

\u201cAureen\u2019s always been a go-getter,\u201d said Olivia Thornton, a nurse manager at University of Colorado Hospital. \u201cShe\u2019s one who\u2019s always offering to help out. She\u2019s always looking for opportunities to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

At first, Thomas thought the program sounded too good to be true. But, with Thornton\u2019s guidance, Thomas signed up for Ascend and also applied for and received reimbursements for loan forgiveness.<\/p>\n

One of the phlebotomists who trained Thomas also praised her skills and ambition.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve trained a few people and she really stood out,\u201d said Noah Vasquez, who is growing his own career by heading to physician assistant school next year.\u00a0 \u201cShe was really eager to learn, was receptive to tips and tricks and was curious about finding more ways to climb the ladder. It\u2019s great that our company is fostering opportunities for employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Aureen
Aureen Thomas checks on supplies near the end of an overnight shift. When she’s not working, she takes care of her three children and family in Nigeria while also carving out time to study so she can
earn degrees and bigger paychecks. Photo by Sonya Doctorian for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So far, Ascend Career Program is attracting many employees of color<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While Ascend just launched six months ago, 2,000 UCHealth employees already have completed applications to participate as of early November. About 700 are enrolled in tuition assistance programs and 120 have completed a program, said Mafe, UCHealth\u2019s chief diversity officer.<\/p>\n

He is thrilled that the program is already having a big impact on people of color.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we look at the demographics, our Hispanic and Black employees are participating at almost twice the rate of their population within UCHealth. So, it\u2019s been really exciting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

While Ascend is great for employees, it also helps UCHealth retain great workers.<\/p>\n

Retention rates are already higher for employees who have applied for Ascend than for those who have not checked out the new benefit. Mafe expects the positive results to keep multiplying over time.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur mission is to improve lives,\u201d Mafe said.<\/p>\n

That mission centers on patients and also on employees or prospective employees. Mafe encourages people who want to take advantage of the Ascend Program to apply for jobs at UCHealth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a bunch of entry-level jobs. We\u2019re working to reduce barriers to getting those jobs. Then once you land with us, you have the ability to keep growing your career,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He even talks about adult children of current employees.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is funny, but it\u2019s not a joke. If you\u2019ve got a child living in your basement who is not going to school and hasn\u2019t figured out what they want to do, have them come to UCHealth,\u201d Mafe said. \u201cThis is a great place to work and we\u2019ll pay for their education.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The nursing assistant cares for hospitalized patients during overnight shifts, tends three young children and helps support family in Nigeria. Despite being incredibly busy, Aureen Thomas, 35, just completed a new medical certification in record time, and the sky\u2019s the limit for her future career and education plans thanks to a new UCHealth program that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2123,"featured_media":66998,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[3921,294],"class_list":["post-66993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-community-benefits-report","tag-nursing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSky is the limit: UCHealth helps pay for education - 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