Through Propel America’s Medical Assistant pathway, Shalani Sayas built clinical skills, confidence, and a community while balancing motherhood and career goals. Now a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant at Temple Health, Shalani is building a stable, purpose-driven future for herself and her family.

Propel America is tackling the healthcare workforce crisis through an innovative, paid “earn-and-learn” model that prepares young adults for meaningful healthcare careers. The organization’s first-ever Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program offers a 14-month paid pathway that combines classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and individualized career coaching.

Propel America alumna Olivia Quebedeaux shares how she launched her medical assistant career in one year through Propel America—with full support and a $3,000 sign-on bonus.

While working in airport security, Zasia Bryant discovered Propel America on Instagram and found the affordable pathway she’d been seeking into healthcare. Through determination, hands-on training, and support from Propel, she balanced full-time work, externships, and life changes to build her skills. Today, Zasia is thriving as a medical assistant at RWJ Barnabas, with her sights set on becoming a registered nurse.

Lucia Escobar, a young mother in Los Angeles, turned an unexpected listing for a training program into a life-changing opportunity through Propel America’s tuition-free, flexible Medical Assistant pathway. She persevered with the support of online learning and dedicated coaching, excelling in her externship and securing a full-time Medical Assistant role.

Angel Atkins, a 23 year-old single mother from Baton Rouge, overcame incredible obstacles to pursue a career in healthcare—including going back to earn her GED before starting her Medical Assistant training through Propel America.

Propel America and Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) are expanding their partnership with the launch of a new, tuition-free Medical Assistant Fellowship. This program is designed to open doors for young adults looking to jumpstart a career in healthcare — without the burden of student debt.

Propel America and Rosebud Healthcare and Training are pleased to announce the formation of a new partnership to equip young adults from underprivileged backgrounds in Louisiana with high-demand caregiver skills that can lead to upwardly-mobile jobs serving Louisiana residents. 

Propel America Fellow Alum Jazmeen Chisholm posts on TikTok about her experience completing the Propel America fellowship - and her video goes viral!

Join us in celebrating several recent key recognitions from prestigious national organizations that have made strategic investments in Propel and other nonprofits committed to expanding opportunities for future generations.

Propel America Fellow alum Chris Spears completed the Sterile Processing Technician pathway in Baton Rouge, and was hired by Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.

In June and September, Propel America held kick-off events in Philadelphia welcoming our new Summer and Winter 2023 cohorts of fellows training to become Medical Assistants. Propel Fellows play a critical role in increasing the representation of people of color in medical fields.

Through Propel America’s fellowship program, New Jersey’s Qua’eesa Davis-Conley has successfully launched her career as a medical assistant with RWJBarnabas Health at a time when America is facing a healthcare labor shortage.

Propel America’s Senior Admissions Director, Alexa Bonilla, was honored on July 27th in New York City at the Latin Impact Awards, hosted by Schneps Media, premier publisher of newspapers, magazines, and many other publications. 

Join us in welcoming our new CEO, Chad Rountree!

Hear from one of our alumni, Jaida, on her experience becoming a medical assistant through Propel.

Propel alumni, Klarissa, shares her motivation to become a medical assistant with Propel’s support.