The Minnesota Department of Health recently highlighted the Montevideo Medical Academy in a February 2025 communication, recognizing the program’s success in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. This innovative program, a collaboration between Montevideo Public Schools, CCM Health, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, and Minnesota West Community and Technical College, provides high school students with hands-on experience, industry certifications, and college credits, helping to address the growing need for healthcare workers in rural communities.
With rural healthcare systems facing ongoing workforce shortages, Montevideo Medical Academy has become a model for engaging students early in healthcare career pathways. Through the program, students earn 24 college credits and gain certifications as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), Trained Medication Aides (TMA), and Pharmacy Technicians, among others. Students also participate in job shadowing, clinical experiences, site tours, and panel discussions with healthcare professionals, providing them with invaluable real-world exposure.
Wade McKittrick, Superintendent of Montevideo Public Schools ISD 129, emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in creating meaningful educational opportunities for students: “The mission of Montevideo Public Schools is to empower learners to achieve their potential, and we believe that is done through partnerships, innovation, and accountability. By viewing education through the lens of ‘how can we best prepare students to live and work in tomorrow’s world’ we quickly discover that education cannot be done the way it always has been done. We must be innovative, collaborative, and students-first driven. Having partners, like CCM Health, who are like-minded in doing what is best for our community, is allowing incredible opportunities to be created for kids. We are fortunate at Montevideo Public Schools to have staff who think out of the box, partners who see the big picture, and students who rise to the challenges put before them.”
Brian Lovdahl, CEO of CCM Health, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the program’s role in strengthening the future healthcare workforce: “The Montevideo Medical Academy is an outstanding example of how collaboration between healthcare and education can create meaningful career opportunities for students while strengthening the rural healthcare workforce. We are honored to be part of this initiative, investing in the future of healthcare and supporting young professionals as they explore careers that will make a lasting impact in our community.”
The impact of the Montevideo Medical Academy is evident in its results. During the last school year, 25 students collectively earned 170 college credits, 55 industry certifications, and completed 304 hours of clinical experience. Their dedication and success earned Montevideo High School the 2023-2024 Star of Innovation Award – Silver Star from the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. The program has also been recognized at the 2024 Minnesota Rural Health Conference and the Minnesota Rural Education Association Summit on Education.
