The Waco Family Medicine - Foundation Newsletter

June, 2026

When Chief Nursing Officer Tessa Pollock joined Waco Family Medicine’s team over a year ago, she identified a personnel goal; that was to homogenize the workforce responsible for intake during a primary care visit.   In my conversation with Tessa I learned that that work currently happens with a team of certified nursing assistants (CNAs), certified medical assistants (CMAs), and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs).  The privileges and responsibilities that come with each of those job titles varies making institutional synergy difficult and patient experiences inconsistent.  Tessa decided to move forward with the goal of creating a team of CMAs.  

This kind of institutional shift, while good for the organization, can pose personnel challenges.  The demands of the CMA role exceeds the qualification of the CNA role.  In most corporate environments that translates to organizational restructuring that includes layoffs.  But Tessa saw an opportunity where a challenge presented itself.  In October Tessa joined other executive staff for the annual Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) conference.  There she stumbled on a program that seemed uniquely tailored to helping address the workforce conundrum.  TACHC collaborated with the Texas Department of Labor to create a curriculum specifically designed to train CNAs to become CMAs.  Tessa learned that the program was already up and running in three Texas community health centers.  

A potential barrier for this kind of workforce development can be cost.  But this is where this story starts to feel serendipitous.  It turns out that the funding for those three community health center training programs was being provided by Waco’s very own Rapoport Foundation.  Tessa kept investigating, asking questions, and knocking on doors.  Then in spring of this year it all came together.  

TACHC offered the certificate program at competitive rate, the Rapoport Foundation graciously provided the funding to cover program costs, and Waco Family Medicine strategically arranged schedules to offer paid time for CNAs to complete the program.  This kind of collaboration is exciting because it moved our nursing workforce a step closer to the goal, but the most human part of the story is the sense of development and opportunity it offered our employees.  

This initial class of CMA trainees included four individuals: Abigail Galvan, Claudia Curry, Mariela Bravo, and Zaira Soto.  The four of them offered some feedback on the program and their experience.  

What brought you to Waco Family Medicine?

Abigail: “I saw the opportunity to learn and enhance my skills and build up my confidence. I was drawn to the diversity and how WFM puts their patients first. What has kept me here for so long is the connection that I have built with my patients, my passion to help others, and my coworkers and providers that have turned into family. What makes this community unique to me is the strong sense of connection and diversity. There are many people from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, that really shapes how care is given.”

Claudia: “My background is in caregiving and direct patient care, which began caring for my mother after her stroke. I continued working with patients living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. No matter the setting — home, facility, or clinic — I’ve always had a passion for caring for others. I find fulfillment in experiencing vulnerable individuals and making meaningful differences in their lives. Waco Family Medicine allows me to continue that mission while being part of a supportive team that values quality care to those who need it most.” 

Mariela: “Before working here, I worked in a nursing home, where I gained valuable experience in patient care and learned the importance of compassion and patience. That experience helped me realize that I wanted to continue building a career in healthcare. Waco Family Medicine keeps me engaged with a supportive environment and the strong sense of purpose I feel in serving the community. This community is unique to me because it is caring, connected, and focused on treating patients with dignity and respect.” 

Zaira: “What brought me to Waco Family Medicine was the opportunity to help people, and what’s kept me here is our patients. They really mean a lot to me. Our community is special because we serve a lot of vulnerable populations, but there are also so many great resources available here.” 

What motivated you to become an apprentice?

Abigail: “My motivation comes from a desire to grow, advance, and deepen my knowledge in the healthcare field. Also, I wanted to take on a more hands-on role in patient care and expand my skills to better serve our patients.”

Claudia: “My motivation comes from a desire to grow, advance, and deepen my knowledge in the healthcare field. Also, I wanted to take on a more hands-on role in patient care and expand my skills to better serve our patients.” 

Mariela: “I became connected to the program through my interest in advancing my skills and taking on a more hands-on role in patient care. Being a medical assistant apprentice has been a meaningful part of my journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow while making a difference.”

Zaira: “What motivated me to become a Medical Assistant apprentice was honestly myself. I wanted to push myself and stop putting off going back to school. I saw this as a great opportunity and took it, to help me as a steppingstone toward continuing my education — becoming an LVN and eventually an RN.”

Can you describe your experience in the program so far?

Abigail: “My experience so far in the program has been good. I’m getting a refresher on anatomy and physiology which I have been learning a mix of clinical and administrative skills which has helped me understand more in depth since I have the advantage of working in a medical setting already. I got to have a better understanding of what goes on.”

Claudia: “My experience has been very positive. The program is self-paced, which allows me to continue working and supporting my family while pursuing my certification. It provides flexibility without sacrificing the quality of learning.” 

Mariela: “I saw it as a great opportunity to continue learning while working and supporting my family. So far, my experience in the program has been very rewarding. I have learned new skills, gained confidence, and grown in my understanding of patient care. The program has challenged me in positive ways and has helped me see how much I am capable of achieving.” 

Zaira: “At first, I was a little worried about how the program would work since it’s online and self-paced. As I’ve gone through it, a lot of the material actually relates to what we already do in the clinic, which has made it easier to connect everything.”