Building healthcare foundations early through Concord High School’s pre-nursing program.
For Janell Rohena, BSN, RN, joining Legacy Medical Academy as instructor at Concord High School in Elkhart, wasn’t just a career move, it was a natural next step after more than two decades of caring for others.
A nurse for over 20 years, Janell has worked in a variety of healthcare settings and understands the value of starting early. “The CNA experience gives students a foundation,” she said. “They learn what it means to care for someone, to be compassionate, patient, and professional. Those lessons shape them, no matter what they choose to do next.”
At Concord High School, her students balance classroom study with hands-on clinical experience at Greencroft in Goshen. They practice essential care skills, learn medical terminology and anatomy basics, and gain exposure to different healthcare settings — including plans to expand into hospital rotations in the future.
“They start off thinking it’s going to be easy,” Janell said with a laugh. “Then they realize how much there is to learn, and how capable they are. Watching that confidence grow week after week is the best part.”
Beyond career preparation, Janell sees the program as an investment in the community. “These students are getting the chance to serve right here in our local facilities,” she explained. “They’re gaining skills they can use for a lifetime, whether caring for patients, family members, or even their own loved ones someday.”
Looking ahead, Janell hopes to see the Concord program expand to serve even more students and add new healthcare pathways, including medical assistant certification. “It’s exciting to think about what’s ahead,” she said. “We’re building the next generation of caregivers, and that’s something to be proud of.”
