Columbia State Community College has been awarded a $198,000 grant to expand the certified clinical medical assistant and phlebotomy short-term credential training programs in Maury and Marshall counties.  

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development's Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiatives Grant will serve a total of 56 students across five cohorts during the 2026-2027 academic year, including two 14-week CCMA cohorts at the Columbia Campus and three 6-week phlebotomy cohorts at both the Columbia and Lewisburg campuses.

With the grant funding, participants will have nearly all of their tuition covered. This includes 87% of CCMA tuition and 90% of phlebotomy tuition, all certification exam fees and required initial employment expenses, including background checks, immunizations and uniforms.

“Columbia State is committed to expanding access to healthcare career pathways in our rural communities,” said Patrick McElhiney, Columbia State director of grants. “This grant removes financial barriers for students pursuing high-demand healthcare careers while addressing critical workforce shortages in our rural communities.”

Through partnerships with Maury Regional Health, the Southern Middle Local Workforce Development Board and South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, the grant initiative will provide comprehensive training and wraparound support services, including transportation and childcare assistance through the American Job Centers, creating direct pathways to employment with regional healthcare employers.

“Our students are stepping into high-demand healthcare roles and bringing skilled, compassionate care back to the neighbors and communities that need them most,” said Dr. Kevin Ratliff, Columbia State vice president for partnerships, Workforce and southern campuses. “This grant ensures more of them can answer that call without financial barriers standing in the way.”

Recent cohorts of the CCMA program have a 100% completion rate, with the phlebotomy cohort at a 92.9% certification pass rate, showcasing the college's capacity to prepare qualified healthcare professionals for high-demand positions in rural communities.

Columbia State’s Office of Workforce and Continuing Education offers training online, virtually, on campus and in workplaces, serving nine counties in southern Middle Tennessee. To contact the Columbia State Office of Workforce and Continuing Education, email WorkforceDev@ColumbiaState.edu or call 931.540.2688.