Some of the donated equipment is lined up in the new classroom that will be used for Kewanee High School’s Certified Nurse Assistant training program. [Photos courtesy of Kewanee High School]

Kewanee schools and OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center are working together to enhance the district’s upcoming Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program.

To assist in the development of the high school’s training lab, OSF HealthCare has donated a variety of medical equipment to help students practice essential clinical skills.

The donation includes two Stryker hospital beds, several wheelchairs, a scale and a clinical lift and sling system, which will allow students to practice patient transfers and mobility. 

The lab has also been outfitted with bedside tables, stethoscopes and various medical supplies to help simulate a professional healthcare environment.

By practicing with industry-standard equipment, students can become more familiar with the tools used by healthcare professionals. 

Kewanee High School Principal Amanda Tidwell and Academic Advisor Heather Olalde have been working with Black Hawk College to ensure the CNA program will be ready to launch at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. 

The program will be taught by Tara Hewitt, who has extensive experience in the nursing field as well as in CNA instruction.

A Stryker bed is rolled into the school building.

“While the CNA program provides the specific training and clinical hours necessary to pursue state certification, it also serves as an entry point for students interested in the district’s broader College and Career Pathway Endorsement in Health Sciences,” said Supt. Rebecca Baney. “This endorsement is a separate framework that offers a sequence of courses for students who wish to explore diverse healthcare fields and prepare for further post-secondary education.”

Baney said this collaboration aims to support local vocational training and provide Kewanee students with practical resources as they work toward immediate certification and explore future opportunities in nursing and allied health.