Northern Montana Health Care Expands Certified Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program, Celebrates First Graduating Class
Northern Montana Health Care (NMHC) is proud to celebrate the success of its first Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) apprenticeship cohort while continuing to invest in the future of rural healthcare through the launch of a new group of apprentices in 2026.
In partnership with Montana State Apprenticeship, NMHC launched the Certified Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program in December 2023, the first program of its kind in Montana. Since then, 11 apprentices have successfully completed the program, earning national certification while gaining hands-on clinical experience right here in Havre.
This milestone was recently celebrated alongside Montana Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson and DLI Apprenticeship Specialist Walter Gonzalez, who joined graduates, their families, and NMHC staff for a ceremony recognizing their achievements. Following the event, Commissioner Swanson participated in a roundtable discussion with healthcare leaders and program partners, highlighting the importance of workforce development initiatives in strengthening rural healthcare systems.
Graduates celebrated during NMHC’s first CMA apprenticeship cohort graduation included Teresa Buerkle, Devyn Carpenter, Soleil Coleman, Chesa Gasvoda, Kimberlee Irvin, Jamie Roth, Jada Antley, Kayla Smith, Brenda Hofer, and Jada Sudbrack.
Many of the program’s graduates balanced their training with careers and family life, gaining valuable skills while continuing to earn a wage, an approach that reflects the broader goals of Montana’s workforce development efforts to create accessible, sustainable career pathways in local communities.
“This program allows us to invest directly in the future of healthcare along the Hi-Line,” said Katie Kimberling, Director of Rural Health Nursing at NMHC. “By training Medical Assistants locally, we are strengthening our workforce and supporting individuals who want to build meaningful, long-term careers in healthcare without having to leave the communities they call home.”
Building on this success, NMHC is now welcoming a new cohort of Medical Assistant apprentices in 2026: Hannah Almas, Jesika Blatter, Abigail Chvilicek, Lennon Herdina, and Kirsten Jacobson.
Through the program, participants complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside NMHC care teams, paired with self-paced educational coursework, ultimately earning nationally recognized certification.
Kimberling, who also serves on the Montana State Apprenticeship board, continues to support the development and expansion of apprenticeship opportunities across the state. Programs like NMHC’s Medical Assistant Apprenticeship reflect a “grow your own” approach to workforce development, creating opportunities for local residents, strengthening the healthcare system, and ensuring continued access to high-quality care for communities across north central Montana.
Northern Montana Health Care remains committed to expanding access to training, supporting career pathways, and investing in the people who care for our Hi-Line communities.