Legacy Medical Academy Builds CNA Pathways for Indiana Students

Legacy Medical Academy is training the next generation of healthcare workers in Indiana, offering Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), CPR, and other medical certificates for both high school students and adults. Through hands-on clinical experience and partnerships with schools and healthcare providers, the academy prepares students to meet the state’s growing demand for healthcare professionals. 

“Indiana’s demand for healthcare workers is great, and we are proud of the role Legacy is playing in helping to meet it,” said Matthew Presley, President and Chief Education Officer of Legacy Medical Academy.    

Legacy Medical Academy began as Michiana Healthcare Training in 2000, founded by a group of friends who shared a vision for expanding access to CNA training in the region. When the original founders retired about ten years ago, Senior1Care, a local home care agency, acquired the school to continue and grow its mission. The current program manager, a relative of one of the founders, carries on that legacy today—overseeing operations and working closely with the Indiana Department of Health to ensure the highest training standards. 

“We rebranded as Legacy Medical Academy to reflect our broader mission beyond CNA training. While we now offer CPR, Qualified Medication Aide, and insulin certifications, we will continue adding programs to support employers and partners in the communities we serve,” Presley said. 

The academy currently offers multiple training tracks: a three-week intensive CNA program for adults, a six-week evening program for working students, and year-long pre-nursing pathways for high school students. The pre-nursing pathway combines both CNA and CPR certification with courses that cover a survey of health careers, medical terminology, and anatomy/physiology.

“Our adult CNA training is 105 hours – 30 in the classroom and 75 in clinical and lab experience,” Presley said. “In our high school program, we offer a more comprehensive approach through Indiana’s CTE pre-nursing pathway in partnership with area schools. These partnerships provide students with real patient care experience, college credits, and the foundational skills and certifications that will support their healthcare careers.”

Legacy Medical Academy, based in Mishawaka in partnership with Senior1Care, currently offers adult training programs in Mishawaka, Carmel, Fort Wayne and Goshen, through a partnership with Goshen College. Its partnership with high schools across Northern Indiana—Mishawaka High School, New Prairie High School, Goshen High School, Concord High School, South Bend Career Academy, and the South Bend Washington Medical Magnet—gives students hands-on experience in long-term care facilities and hospitals that aid in the transition to the workforce.  

“We’re building talent pipelines in the communities we serve while also working with acute care partners like Beacon Health, Goshen Health, and IU North to give students intensive job-shadowing and patient care opportunities,” Presley said. “One of the ways our partnership with Senior1Care works is that adult students have the chance to work in home care while completing their training, gaining valuable one-on-one experience with patients.” 

Both adult and high school students complete classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical rotations in long-term care facilities, where CNAs are in high demand. To earn certification, candidates must pass both a written exam and a Department of Health–proctored skills assessment, demonstrating proficiency in seven of the 72 designated patient care procedures, including patient assessment, infection control, and charting.

“The combination of classroom, lab, and clinical rotations not only teaches technical skills but also prepares students for immediate employment or further education in healthcare,” Presley said. “Graduates can enter the workforce immediately as CNAs or patient care technicians, or use their certification as a stepping stone into nursing and medical programs.” 

Legacy maintains close communication with healthcare providers and state education agencies to ensure its curriculum aligns with evolving industry standards.

“These conversations help us expand certifications, like medical assisting, to meet employer needs while preparing students with leadership and employability skills,” Presley added. 

Looking ahead, the academy plans to expand its certifications, strengthen partnerships with schools and healthcare providers, and continue addressing Indiana’s workforce needs in the healthcare sector. 

“We will continue building partnerships with high schools, post-secondary institutions, and long-term and acute care partners,” Presley said. “We are listening to all of our partners and working to meet their needs. In the high school space, a major focus is expanding work-based learning opportunities to align with Indiana’s new graduation requirements and give students more opportunities to gain real-world experience.”

For more information about Legacy Medical Academy and its programs, visit legacymedicalacademy.com.