Trinity On The Hill Elder Phyllis Bailey presents a scholarship donation to UNM-LA CEO Dr. Cindy Rooney while SUN PATH Coordinator Cindy Leyba, left, and Elder Brad Wright look on. Photo by Nancy Coombs/UNM-LA

From left, top row: LAFD Operations Battalion Chief /UNM-LA EMS Program Coordinator Joe Candelaria, Cathy Walters, Judy Crocker, UNM-LA CEO Cindy Rooney. Center row: Petr Jandacek, Mary Cunningham, Paul Cunningham, Brad Wright, Jenny Bishop, Phyllis Bailey. Front row: Bo West, Trisha Harlow, Jane Sherwood, Louise Jandacek and Barbara Stoddard. Photo by Nancy Coombs/UNM-LA

UNM-Los Alamos received a $3,000 donation from the Trinity on the Hill Elder group (TOTH Elders) Monday, July 24.

The donation will support scholarships for students in the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs. After the presentation of the donation, LAFD Operations Battalion Chief/UNM-LA EMS Program Coordinator Joe Candelaria led the TOTH Elders on a tour of the Public Health training facility while providing an overview of how scenario based training helps students leave the program with more confidence in their skills.  

In 2016, Barbara Stoddard approached Dr. Cindy Rooney about the need in our community for trained caregivers to provide in-home health care and personal care to individuals. This discussion led to the creation of the PCA program that provides training for individuals who can serve as personal caregivers.

Later UNM-LA added the CNA program, which involves further training in basic medical skills. Stoddard, a member of the TOTH Elders, last spring invited Cindy Leyba, SUN PATH Coordinator, and Melanie Colgan, RN, M.S.N., to talk to the TOTH Elders Group about the PCA and CNA programs.

The TOTH Elders meet monthly to explore different topics. According to Brad Wright, the ToTH Elders welcome any interested community members to join them.

As far as who qualifies as an elder, Wright explained, “We define elders as any adult that does not have to go to work on Monday morning.” At some monthly meetings, a member of the group presents, some meetings they invite a guest speaker, and some meetings they take a field trip.

When the group learned about the PCA and CNA programs, they decided they were interested in coming to see the UNM-LA facilities and they also wanted to provide financial support for students in these programs.

Regarding the scholarship donation, Wright explained, “We think this is a good match because we are the people who can benefit from the workers that are trained. At the same time, the programs help people who need employment.”

He further clarified that the TOTH Elders are not generally a philanthropic group, but that individual members made contributions because they felt it was important to support these UNM-LA programs.

Some students who participate in the PCA and CNA programs may qualify for some state or federal scholarships, but these typically do not cover the total cost. Besides tuition, other required costs include books, equipment, fingerprinting, drug screening and the certification exam. The funds from the TOTH Elders can fill in the gaps, and help make the program more accessible to some students.

For further information about the CNA, PCA or other UNM-LA programs, visit losalamos.unm.edu. Any groups that might be interested in a tour of the Public Health training facility with the ambulance simulator should contact Cindy Leyba at cleyba@unm.edu.

UNM–Los Alamos is an innovative, rigorous, and affordable comprehensive branch community college that provides foundations for transfer, leading-edge career programs, and lifelong learning opportunities.