Today we’d like to introduce you to Jereka Thomas-Hockaday.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been in healthcare my entire adult life working as a Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistant. In 2011, I started my educational journey teaching Surgical Technology at a for profit career college in San Antonio. I spent for years there. When I moved back to Austin full-time in 2015, I became a Surgical Assistant and pursued my Doctorate Degree. I worked in the workforce development began laying the groundwork for CTAHI. I launched the campus in 2019 with my two Co-founders, Todd Hamilton and Mikal Williams. We have six approved programs through the Texas Workforce Commission.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been very difficult. The avenues for financing for women and entrepreneurs of color in Central Texas are very slim to none. The fact that we decided to open as a non-profit also did not make us attractive to investors. We did eventually find an out of state investor and received funding from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation to open and begin operations and start our inaugural class in August of 2019.
We’ve been impressed with Central Texas Allied Health Institute, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a non-profit career college that specializes in training for the allied health professions. Our target population is adults of color and those living at 200% or below of the federal minimum poverty level. Health Equity has long since been a passion of mine and I feel very blessed to have found the health careers path at such a young age. So few minorities go into health because of lack of knowledge of the career paths and/or do not have support systems that lend them the ability to successfully complete these types of programs.
I am most to say that we provide not only an education but wrap around support services for our students such as assistance with transportation, meals, daycare and other essentials needed to break down barriers to graduation.
How do you think about happiness?
Goodness. So many things make me happy. Working with my students in lab everyday. My garden at home. My friends. My social activism. Most of all, my husband and my son make me the most happy.
I think to sum that up, I think the ability to have beat the odds and to be blessed to live such a rich full life that provides opportunity for others to be successful makes me truly happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: dr.jereka.thomas-hockaday@ctahi.org
- Website: Ctahi.org
