07/23/2026
Success stories like these are what workforce education is all about. We are incredibly proud of Amelia and MacKenzie for their dedication and perseverance as they prepare to graduate from TCAT Memphis's Practical Nursing program. Thank you to MMDC's Career Launch Academy for helping them build a strong foundation and inspiring them to pursue careers in healthcare. We can't wait to see the impact these future nurses will make in our community. Congratulations, Amelia and MacKenzie!
From Career Launch Academy to Practical Nursing Graduates!!
In 2023, at just 17 years old, Amelia Henderson and MacKenzie Thompson entered MMDC’s Career Launch Academy with dreams of becoming registered nurses.
Both were students at Central High School. Both began in the program’s CNA pathway. And although their journeys after the program did not look exactly the same, both continued moving toward careers in healthcare.
Today, Amelia and MacKenzie are enrolled in the practical nursing program at TCAT Memphis and are preparing to graduate next month.
Hire Local 901 originally began by helping adults connect to healthcare training and employment. But MMDC recognized that young people also needed an earlier on-ramp into healthcare careers. Career Launch Academy was created to help students explore the field, gain foundational experience and begin building a pathway forward.
Amelia and MacKenzie’s story shows why that early access matters. Career journeys are not always linear, but the right starting point can continue opening doors years later.
We are proud of these two future nurses and grateful to TCAT Memphis for helping them take the next step toward their goal of becoming registered nurses.