Suprena Hickman

A registered nurse and nurse educator is heping to forge a new path for students pursuing a health care career with the opening of a new training facility this week, according to a news release.

Led by Suprena Hickman, Sankofa Training & Wellness Institute will officially open its doors at 11:30 a.m. Thursday during a ribbon-cutting on the sixth floor of the Murchison Building, 201 N. Front St., in downtown Wilmington. The institute "is focused on attracting, educating, training, and employing African Americans and other minority talent, to enhance diversity in the medical profession," the release stated. 

Sankofa’s program has earned the N.C. Community College system’s certification for Health & Wellness Programming, according to the release, which added that nursing schools throughout North Carolina are now requiring a CNA for admission to their programs. 

“Representation matters,” Hickman said in the release. “Sankofa will provide an important bridge to health care careers, one that eases access, understands the time and financial burdens and removes barriers so that our community’s health care system better represents our community.”  

Phillip Brown, executive vice president and chief physician executive at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, is expected to speak at the event, "recognizing the importance of Sankofa Training & Wellness Institute’s mission and the need to bring more students into the nursing profession," the release stated.

Sankofa will run two 19-day sessions over a six-week period for CNA certification concurrently, graduating up to 20 CNAs at each session’s conclusion, according to the release. 

Hickman expects half of her students will graduate to immediate job placement and half will pursue additional nursing education, the release stated. 

The release also said, "Additional programming includes CPR and first aid training programs for individuals and organizations to meet regulatory requirements, as well as Integrative Health/Life Coaching certifications."