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By: Janine Wine
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
TCAT Dickson
Dickson, TN: TCAT Dickson will be expanding its programs, offering free CPR certifications, and helping students meet basic needs with grocery cards all thanks to a two-million-dollar Rural Health Care Pathways Expansion Grant (RHCPE) the college received from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).
TCAT will use grant funds to expand program offerings and begin a new Surgical Technology program in Dickson, giving prospective students another health career opportunity for enrollment.
Also included in the award, is funding to begin a new Practical Nursing program in Houston County. TCAT Dickson administration and Houston County officials will begin looking for locations to house the new program. Practical Nursing is one of the oldest programs offered at TCAT Dickson’s main campus and is also offered at the college’s Clarksville and Franklin locations.
Historically, Houston County residents enrolled in Practical Nursing at Dickson or Clarksville have driven an hour or more to class and clinicals each day. Offering this program in Houston County will allow students the opportunity to learn close to home and eliminate long drives.
TCAT Dickson President Laura Travis said, “The critical shortage of well-trained healthcare professionals in rural Middle Tennessee directly impacts the health of our communities. This grant will expand access to training programs that will address workforce gaps and strengthen patient outcomes throughout the region.” TCATs across the State of Tennessee are widely known for being premier suppliers of workforce development.
The grant will also provide free CPR training to secondary students, faculty, and staff in Dickson, Hickman, and Houston counties. The training will be held at K-12 schools located in the three counties.
Dr. Levi Mayer, TCAT Dickson’s Vice President of Academics and Compliance believes offering the CPR classes in K-12 schools will provide insight to future healthcare professionals. “This will be an opportunity for high school students to be exposed to a healthcare field while in high school. Career exploration is good for students and will allow them to see if they like health careers while getting their certifications,” Mayer said.
Finally, the grant will aid in breaking down food shortage barriers for students enrolled in the new Surgical Technology program in Dickson and in the new Practical Nursing program in Houston County by providing access to grocery cards on an as needed basis.
"Rural communities have historically struggled to provide adequate healthcare for their residents. TCAT Dickson is strategically launching these programs to help alleviate this chronic problem by introducing health career options to high school students, open new health career programs in rural communities, and provide support services for the students, so they can complete their program,” Dr. Mayer said.
TCAT Dickson plans to begin enrolling students in the new Surgical Technology program and the new Houston County Practical Nursing program beginning Fall of 2026.
TCAT Dickson is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and complies with non-discrimination laws: Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and ADA. Located on Highway 46 in Dickson, the technical training college also has extension campuses in Clarksville, and Franklin. Additional information about the school is located at www.TCATDickson.edu
TCAT Dickson Practical Nursing Master Instructor Kristen Moffitt, right, teaches second term Practical Nursing students about sterile gloving, a skill necessary for Surgical Technology and Practical Nursing students. Pictured with Moffitt from left are students Julie-Anna Davidson, Kaitlynn Brubacher, Jasmine Crosby, Kaylee Gamel, Tiffany Hines, and Keomini Shuman.