TCAT Awarded Healthcare Grant

DICKSON (January 31) — The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Dickson has been awarded $160,750 through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Rural Healthcare Workforce Development Initiative. This funding positions TCAT Dickson among five TCAT campuses and thirty-eight statewide entities benefiting from the grant.

According to Dr. Levi Mayer, Vice President of Academics and Compliance, the funds will support both students and current healthcare professionals by offering enhanced certifications and financial assistance.

A sizable portion of the grant will fund tuition scholarships for IV Therapy classes, which will be available to: Practical Nursing students from TCAT Dickson (Dickson and Clarksville campuses), TCAT Henry/Carroll, and TCAT Hohenwald.

Dr. Mayer highlighted the importance of IV Therapy certification, which allows nurses to administer medications through intravenous lines, making them more competitive in the job market and increasing their earning potential.

Additionally, the funding will support phlebotomy and telemetry certifications, addressing critical employer-identified needs in the local healthcare sector.

Half of the grant will be allocated to financial assistance for students enrolled in TCAT Dickson’s healthcare career programs. Funds will cover:

Tuition, books, scrubs, drug testing, and certification fees.

Transportation assistance, including gas cards and automobile repairs performed by TCAT Dickson’s Automotive Technology program.

Childcare assistance, with payments made directly to providers to avoid tax burdens for students.

“Life happens. Life should not be an obstacle in the way of education. This grant will alleviate some of those obstacles,” Dr. Mayer said.

TCAT Dickson will begin distributing these grant funds on July 1, 2025. Applications for financial assistance will be available for qualifying students pursuing careers in Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Patient Care Technology/Medical Assisting, and Dental Assisting.