‘I want to give back to my community:’ NA/HHA Training Helps Launch UMass Student Toward Medical Career

“I’ve known I wanted to work in the medical field for a very long time,” said Ana Mihal, a recent graduate of Catholic Charities Boston’s Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide training program who grew up outside of Boston.

Currently a rising senior at UMass Amherst studying biology, Ana said Catholic Charities Boston’s NA/HHA program offered her the hands-on, practical experience she needed to gain confidence in her career path and begin applying her skills in a real-world setting.

Inspired by an academic mentor who had worked as a nursing assistant, Ana understood early on the value and impact of the profession. When she came across Catholic Charities Boston’s affordable and accessible program at the Labouré Center, she quickly enrolled over winter break of her junior year.

Looking back, Ana said the experience not only deepened her clinical knowledge and technical skills but also connected her with a diverse community of aspiring healthcare professionals from all walks of life.

“I am so grateful I took this course,” she said. “There was such a range of students, and it was inspiring to see what everyone planned to do with their certification.”

While the class itself was only a month long, Ana said she was amazed by the breadth of material covered—from anatomy and physiology to clinical skills and patient care.

Shortly after graduating, Ana accepted a position as a nursing assistant at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, where she now works part-time while balancing her college coursework.

While Ana is still exploring exactly where her future in medicine will take her, one thing remains clear: she feels most fulfilled when she is helping those in need.

“Right now, I have my eye on medical school,” said Ana. “I hope to use the knowledge and skills I’ve gained to give back to my community.” To find out how you can support Catholic Charities Boston’s clients in need, visit our Ways to Give page. Learn more about Catholic Charities Boston’s NA/HHA training here.