Petersen Health Care has generously donated $1,000 to the Black Hawk East College Foundation to help Kewanee-area residents train to become certified nurse assistants (CNAs).

Petersen also has offered to make additional donations once scholarship funds are depleted.

“We are so appreciative of Petersen Health Care’s support of Black Hawk College’s CNA program and their commitment to providing scholarships to students in our community,” said Liz Breedlove, executive director of the Black Hawk East College Foundation.

Pictured from left to right are Angie Ince, administrator for  Royal Oaks Care Center; Sue VanDeRostyne, administrator for Toulon  Rehabilitation & Health Care Center; Liz Breedlove, executive  director of the Black Hawk East College Foundation; and Eric Clark,  administrator for Kewanee Care Home.
Pictured from left to right are Angie Ince, administrator for Royal Oaks Care Center; Sue VanDeRostyne, administrator for Toulon Rehabilitation & Health Care Center; Liz Breedlove, executive director of the Black Hawk East College Foundation; and Eric Clark, administrator for Kewanee Care Home.

Black Hawk College offers an eight-week, college-credit Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program at the Community Education Center in downtown Kewanee. After completing 108 classroom hours and 40 hours of clinical training, BHC students can take the state of Illinois certification exam to become a CNA.

Petersen Health Care offers a full spectrum of senior living options, including independent living, personalized assisted living, supportive living and skilled nursing. Petersen operates more than 75 senior living and retirement communities in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

“Long-term care CNAs are an essential part of the quality care given to those in need,” said Trish Stegall of Petersen Health Care.

“We take great pride in hiring qualified, caring and passionate staff to provide care. Programs like this are extremely important to us,” she said. “It is a pleasure to be able to assist Black Hawk College with this great CNA program now and in the future.”

The next CNA program at the BHC Community Education Center begins Monday, March 21 with daytime classes. For more information, contact program coordinator Cheryl Ballantyne at ballantynec@bhc.edu or 309-796-5404.

The Black Hawk East College Foundation has a variety of scholarships that benefit Black Hawk College students. Donations to student scholarships are tax-deductible. For more information, contact Liz Breedlove at 309-854-1715 or breedlovel@bhc.edu or visit www.bhc.edu/ECfoundation.