Southwest, EDGE and Women’s Foundation hold joint graduation ceremony

Southwest, EDGE and the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis hosted a joint graduation ceremony for the first time for EDGE-funded programs Nov. 2 at The Healing Cathedral Christian Church. Students graduated from allied health programs created through two initiatives, Ready Whitehaven and Women Healing Memphis, that launched in 2016 thanks to a $300,000 EDGE grant and $90,000 funding to date from the Women’s Foundation.

The EDGE grant provides a yearly funding stream of $100,000 for 3 years for the establishment of short-term programs targeting marginalized non-traditional students seeking a career track as highly skilled health care professionals. The training programs include Dialysis and EKG Technician, Dental Assistance, Medical Administrative Assistance and Certified Nursing Assistant.

The nationally credentialed and tuition-free programs were offered through Southwest to Whitehaven residents of 38116, 38109 and 38106. The Women’s Foundation targeted 38126 with a goal of decreasing poverty by 1% in that zip code by 2020. The Foundation has continually given $30,000 for each of 3 years in support of this zip code.

Southwest, EDGE, Women’s Foundation and Urban Strategies researched areas of the city that would most benefit from each of the programs,” said Director of Externally Funded Programs Derek Henson. “We targeted several Whitehaven zip codes representing the poorest areas in Memphis to improve educational and workforce development.

The program has been highly successful. More than 100 students applied in its first year (2017) for 72 available slots; 71 graduated. This year Southwest, EDGE and the Women’s Foundation jumpstarted the careers of 82 graduates. CNAs and dental assistant graduates already had jobs waiting for them.

This program does work and let my success be an inspiration to all of you, said Barbara Jackson who completed certification as a dialysis technician. Jackson had been a CNA for 18 years before pursuing the 8-week dialysis training. I am a single parent with a child and the first to graduate in my family with a degree. Jackson accepted a job offer two weeks before her graduation. Southwest wanted me to succeed. I want everyone to know that with more education comes better opportunities, added Jackson.

Officiating at the 2018 EDGE ceremony were:

• Dr. Christopher Ezell, Southwest Vice President of Academic Affairs
• Dr. Derek Henson, Director of Southwest’s Externally Funded Programs
• Dr. Verneta Boone, Director of Southwest’s Whitehaven Center
• Mr. Ronald Claxton, Associate Director of Advising and Academic Support
• Mr. Reid Dulberger, President/CEO of EDGE
• Mrs. Patria Johnson, Women’s Foundation Program Manager
• Ms. Eva Mosby, Urban Strategies Director of Operations
• Mrs. Alicia Delbridge, Fresenius Medical Care Talen Acquisition Specialist