Hickman employee wins Apprentice of the Year award

“Since I was 12, caregiving has been my passion. I enjoy taking the best care of my residents, seeing them happy, and dedicating my day to their service.” — Tina Wright

Congratulations to Tina Wright for being named Argentum All-Star Apprentice of the Year 2022/2023. Argentum is the lead for the $6 million project funded by a four-year U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Closing the Skills Gap grant called the Healthcare Apprenticeship Expansion Program (HAEP).

Argentum is the leading national association dedicated to supporting companies operating professionally managed senior living communities.

To be considered the Argentum Apprentice of the Year, the participant demonstrated a dedication to lifelong learning, a commitment to human-centered care, and accountability.

Employed by The Hickman since 2018 as a caregiver, it wasn’t long before Wright was quickly identified as a standout team member and looked for opportunities to enhance her skill set.

She became a Certified Medication Administrator (CMA) in 2019 and enrolled in the accelerated Temporary Nurse Aide (TNA) to Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) online course in 2020 and received her certification.

Wright also enrolled in the Center for Applied Research in Dementia (CARD) Montessori Inspired Lifestyle (MIL) program at The Hickman. The MIL program is a person-centered method of learning that emphasizes independence, opportunities for decisionmaking, increased levels of engagement and cognitive function potential for adults living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This philosophy is easily correlated with Quaker principles such as integrating community, integrity and equality at The Hickman.

Employees have described Wright as a serviceminded caregiver, reliable, kind, patient and with a great sense of humor.

“Tina displays a steady, kind and optimistic demeanor every day regardless of assignment, staffing level and obstacles,” Executive Director Tony Kelly said.

With healthcare labor shortages rising as demand grows, the apprenticeship initiative provides employers with a structured program to attract quality candidates for open positions in the senior living industry, provide relevant and meaningful programs to advance participants’ careers and set goals for wage increases.

More than 90% of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship retain employment.

Apprenticeships are growing in every field. In addition to healthcare, there are opportunities in IT, culinary services and leadership positions. The Hickman enrolled more than 30 employees in Culinary Services, Healthcare, and Leadership in the HAEP program.

For more information about the HAEP program at The Hickman, contact LaMonica

Anderson, human resources, at landerson@ thehickman.org

To read the full article about Argentum’s AllStar Apprentice of the Year published by the Senior Living Executive Magazine, visit https://tinyurl. com/5dwbre9b.

The Hickman is a senior living community located in the heart of West Chester. Guided by Quaker principles and traditions that value all life and welcome diversity, The Hickman offers individualized care allowing older adults the opportunity to enjoy a productive life and to explore the richness of all of life’s possibilities.

Tina Wright