CRYSTAL, Minn. (WCCO) — As COVID-19 strains hospitals, Latasha Lee continues to provide a pathway for more African Americans to enter the healthcare field. Lee is a registered nurse and owner of the Healthy Helpful Insight Healthcare Institute (HHIHI) in Crystal.

Since WCCO first shared its story in July, the certified nursing assistant school has earned two-year approval following a state inspection. Lee is now allowed to have 10 students per class, up from three during the provisional license period.

“My goal in building the school was to help bring other black men and women into the healthcare industry,” Lee said. “It’s really important to bridge the gap between the people who provide care and those who receive it, because there is an element of trust. Many things related to medicine come with trust.

More than 10 students have taken the five-week course so far, including Kyla Cade. She passed her state exam on the first try and is currently working at one of HHIHI’s partner nursing homes, providing automatic placement for students who complete their CNA certification.

“It’s a nice feeling because I always love watching people, like nurses and doctors in lab coats, oh that’s so cool,” Cade said. “Now I have my own pair. It’s like a sense of pride and all that. I’ve worked hard to get here.”

Cade was first introduced to the HHIHI program by her mother and enrolled during the pandemic.

“I just wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I didn’t go out much, so I was just a little wary. But also, I’m a great person and I love helping people,” Cade said.

The aid couldn’t come at a better time, as the need for healthcare workers remains high nationwide. By early February, Minnesota had approximately 15,000 nursing assistant positions. The state has announced plans to train and deploy at least 1,000 new CNAs by the end of last month.

Although Cade did not participate in the state effort, she said the skills learned in the HHIHI class prepared her to make a difference. She hopes to become a registered nurse in the future.

“I feel good. It’s always nice to see some of the residents,” Cade said. makes them smile that day.”

Lee said she is committed to her students for the long term.

“It’s a lifetime commitment,” Lee said. “When they arrive I tell them that up front. I’m your instructor. We’re going to learn here but if there’s anything you need today, tomorrow, in the future, please call I am ready to help you however I can. Most of them have called me several times after graduation. It is very amazing.

She shared her vision for the school in the years to come.

“My hopes and dreams for the future are for the school to grow and for me to outgrow this space,” Lee said. “I will need a bigger space and I will need a staff. Many of my students want to make a difference. They want to help. They want to grow and they want to be part of a chance. They want to reduce health disparities in any way possible. It makes me feel good to know that I am part of the change and not just talking about a change. I help make the change.

Lee said she wants more students to complete the program and shared that more male ANCs are needed. Some scholarships are available for the Healthy Helpful Insight Healthcare Institute. In addition to CNA instruction, HHIHI also offers instructor-led CPR/AED/First Aid training. Visit the website to find out more.