Larson, Ritter Join Harriott Community Healthcare Academy Ceremony Honoring More Than 70 CNA Graduates
Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Connecticut House Speaker Matt Ritter joined other state and local leaders to honor the 72 Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) graduates from Harriott Community Healthcare Academy. This milestone is a landmark achievement for Connecticut’s health care workforce, which continues to face a dire shortage of qualified professionals.
“Harriott Community Healthcare Academy is a model for the nation,” said Larson. “It’s not just about education. It’s about what our community needs. Under the leadership of Sasa Harriott, the Healthcare Academy is supporting the next generation of health care workers and ensuring the most vulnerable in our community receive the care they need. I was glad to join the 72 students graduating today and wish them the best as they begin their careers. We must continue to support programs like the Healthcare Academy – that’s why I’m working with Sasa to secure federal funding to expand Harriott’s great work to rural communities as well. I remain committed to solutions that address our nation’s health care worker shortage and bolster important educational opportunities not just here in Hartford, but across our state.”
“This is an incredible example of what can happen when we invest in smart programs that are built by and for the communities they serve,” said Ritter. “There are so many residents out there who want to find good jobs while staying in the neighborhoods they call home. I’m proud to support programs like HCHA that help make that a reality.”
Larson has been a champion of the program from the beginning, and Speaker Ritter was another early advocate for the program, helping to secure the $150,000 in initial seed money that resulted in 112 students moving through the program in just over a year. 72 graduates are already licensed CNAs, with 40 more finalizing their studies and certification in the coming weeks.
HCHA President Sasa Harriott, a board-certified nurse practitioner who grew up in Clay Arsenal, started the school to bring new opportunities to North Hartford and address the ongoing healthcare workforce shortage. She knew that offering a centralized CNA pathway in North Hartford, if done right, could provide economic opportunities for residents and improve systemic healthcare inequities.
“I was lucky enough to have mentors and opportunities which helped me grow and reach my potential,” said Harriott. “We started HCHA to provide those same opportunities, especially mentorship, to other Connecticut residents. What we’re seeing today is that the model works.”
Dr. Fatmata Williams also spoke at the ceremony and discussed her journey from CNA to Deputy Medicaid Director and Director of Medical Administration at the CT Department of Social Services (DSS).
“To improve health outcomes in our state, we need more skilled CNAs entering the workforce with the tools they need to succeed,” said Williams. “Today, I was proud to see so many capable men and women at the beginning of their health care careers. I know the possibilities ahead of them are endless.”
Harriott Community Healthcare Academy is a STEM simulation lab and educational facility that offers CNA training and certification at its central North Hartford location. In less than five weeks, students can become licensed CNAs. The program provides mentorship, career counseling, and wrap-around support. Most recently, HCHA was recognized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education as an accredited occupational training facility. To learn more about HCHA, visit harriottcommunityhealth.org/hcha.