---
title: "Op-ed: MA Certification Program Succeeds in Advancing Entry-Level Employees’ Careers and Improving Patient Care"
description: Nashville State Community College partnered with NHA to improve retention and patient care through industry-recognized credentials.
image: https://info.nhanow.com/hubfs/OR-10832059449-oped-ma-certification-program.webp
---
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# NHA News Center
# Op-ed: MA Certification Program Succeeds in Advancing Entry-Level Employees’ Careers and Improving Patient Care
Posted by [National Healthcareer Association](https://info.nhanow.com/mediacenter/author/national-healthcareer-association) on August 2025
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Providing opportunities for entry-level employees to advance their career with industry-recognized credentials can help improve retention *and* patient care. That’s exactly what Tennessee Oncology did by partnering with NHA client Nashville State Community College.
In a new op-ed in *Oncology News Central*, Tennessee Oncology CEO Dr. Natalie Dickson details what makes this partnership so impactful.
Tennessee Oncology is one of the nation’s largest community-based cancer care specialists and relies on its providers to reduce the medical, emotional, and financial burden of a cancer diagnosis on patients’ lives. Critical to its care team are its Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMAs). These are often the first people patients interact with and help deliver care by performing clinical tasks while also helping patients and physicians manage care.
To ensure the highest-quality care for patients, Tennessee Oncology provides its employees opportunities to upskill in an NHA CCMA certification program. This career development program is completely funded by Tennessee Oncology, removing barriers to advancement that team members might otherwise face and ensuring that all MAs are educated and trained to be both clinically competent and emotionally attuned to their work. Since beginning its CCMA Career Development Program, TO has seen a 56% reduction in turnover in learners who completed the program and several students have obtained promotions and new certifications.
To read Dr. Dickson’s full op-ed, [CLICK HERE](https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/iq2eCADryrtNNjQxrsGfYsGiHXP?domain=oncologynewscentral.com).
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