CODY — Cody High School and Cody Regional Health are expanding their partnership with the launch of the Cody High School-Cody Regional Health CNA Career Pathway Program, a workforce development initiative designed to introduce local students to healthcare careers while creating a pathway from the classroom to professional certification and potential employment.

Beginning during the 2026-27 school year, an initial cohort of five Cody High School juniors interested in healthcare careers will participate in the program. The initiative expands Cody High School’s Classroom to Careers internship program by bringing Certified Nursing Assistant education directly to Cody High School while connecting students with hands-on clinical experience at the Cody Regional Health Long-Term Care Center.

Through the program, students will complete at least 75 state-required classroom hours and 36 state-required clinical hours. Classroom instruction will take place at Cody High School and will be provided through Cody Regional Health, while clinical training will give students an opportunity to learn alongside healthcare professionals at the Long-Term Care Center.

“This partnership is exactly what Classroom to Careers is designed to accomplish, helping students connect what they are learning in school with meaningful opportunities in our community,” said Mitchell Espeland, principal of Cody High School. “Working with Cody Regional Health gives students interested in healthcare a chance to build real skills, work toward a professional credential and experience firsthand what a career in healthcare can look like. We’re excited to expand this partnership and create another pathway for our students to begin preparing for their futures.”

Students participating in the program will also receive elective credit through Cody High School.

After completing the required classroom and clinical hours, students will complete final classroom and skills exams before moving on to the required state testing process for CNA certification. Cody Regional Health will cover certification costs for participating students, helping reduce a potential barrier as they take their first steps toward a healthcare career.

Students who successfully complete the program and certification process will then have a pathway to explore potential employment opportunities with Cody Regional Health. Positions are not guaranteed, but the program is being intentionally structured to connect qualified students with opportunities to continue gaining healthcare experience and potentially begin their careers locally.

“Some of tomorrow’s healthcare professionals are sitting in classrooms in our community today,” said Joe Cunliffe, Long-Term Care Center administrator at Cody Regional Health. “This partnership gives us an opportunity to introduce students to healthcare in a meaningful, hands-on way while supporting them as they work toward CNA certification. We hope the experience opens doors for these students, whether that ultimately leads them to a career at Cody Regional Health or inspires them to continue their education in healthcare.”

Cody High School and Cody Regional Health hope to offer the CNA Career Pathway Program annually, creating an  opportunity for future students to explore healthcare careers, earn a professional credential and gain experience within their local healthcare system.