Our Members Say it Best!
Lexi & Shelly’s Success Story
Since joining the MA Apprenticeship program, Lexi Young has also utilized supportive services to remove barriers and complete the program
Alexis (Lexi) Young is a busy mother of five and a Medical Assistant at Neighborcare Health. She began her journey to become a Medical Assistant in Louisiana, but natural disasters and related obstacles forced her to relocate. “After my area was damaged by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav, I became very ill. I moved back and forth from Louisiana to Seattle three times – and it felt like my dream to become a medical assistant would never be possible.”
Yet Lexi persevered, and eventually joined as a Patient Service Representative at Neighborcare Health in 2021. “I heard about the Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program through our Union Newsletter. This was the perfect opportunity to restart my journey to become a Medical Assistant.”
Lexi was also able to access supportive services along the way to help her complete the program, like the Training Fund’s laptop lending program.
The Training Fund partners with Neighborcare Health to offer various apprenticeship programs through the Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium. These earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship programs reduce barriers to completion, help build education pathways, and promote retention and sustainability among healthcare workers.
Lexi has now completed the apprenticeship program, “I am now a Registered Medical Assistant. Now here I am doing everything I was trained to do. I was stressed and nervous about all of this before – they gave me the confidence. And now I am a better person for all the things I learned in this program.”
And she continues to build on her goals: “I don’t want to stop here. My dreams are to be either an RN or a (Physician Assistant-Certified) PAC – I will do everything in my power to get there, because I can’t stop”.
“Being in this program, I can go to school, work, and get on-the-job training!
This program has given me the self-confidence and sense of living I lost in Louisiana, and made such a positive impact in my life. I have support from my instructors, mentors, co-workers, and classmates.
The program is great for anyone looking to get into the medical field as a Medical Assistant. It’s given me hope that one day I will be an LPN.”
Lexi’s dedication and motivation to serve others has inspired her 20-yr old daughter, Kechelle (Shelly) VanBuren, to follow in her footsteps and enroll in the same MA apprenticeship program at Neighborcare Health!
“I’m so excited to start a wonderful career, just like my mom before me, and even go farther than where I am now,” says Shelly.
“This program and the Training Fund & HCAC have really given me an opportunity to follow my dreams! It’s a great team always ready to help, even with things outside of school. I’m grateful for the opportunity to follow my dreams, and can’t wait to continue my journey.
Lexi’s pride in her daughter’s progress is evident:
“I did not tell them she was my daughter because I wanted her to get this on her own.” says Lexi. “She is thriving, and we are so thankful and excited for what comes next.”
Lexi (center) shared her story at the Dec 2024 Training Fund Board meeting.
Pictured here with Training Fund Executive Director, Laura Hopkins (Left), and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW President, Jane Hopkins (right).
We’re rooting for you, Lexi and Shelly!
Connect with the Training Fund to find out how you can achieve your career and education goals!