Celebrating 35 Years of Medical Careers Training

August 13, 2025 | While dining on cake and an array of food from around the world, former students and staff returned to the International Institute of Minnesota’s Hall of Nations to celebrate 35 years of medical training. After getting a chance to mingle with past instructors and classmates, graduates filled the room with excitement and joy while hearing from speakers from the training program, past and present.

Institute Executive Director, Jane Graupman, fittingly began the ceremony as she launched the Nursing Assistant Training program over three decades ago. She shared stories of former students and how the program started with a clear need for medical training for New Americans since nothing like it existed in the state at the time.

However, it soon became apparent that more than just Nursing Assistant Training was required at the Institute.

Program Growth

After five years of the nursing assistant program, several graduates returned to the Institute to ask if there were more ways to advance in the healthcare field. The Medical Career Advancement (MCA) program was soon created, and a few years later College Readiness Academy (CRA), to help students gain the academic skills they needed to progress in health professions.

It took time, patience and lots of persistence by staff to build these programs, and especially students as they were key in helping us learn where the challenges were.

The MCA and CRA programs were built with direct input from former students to best address the obstacles they faced in school and find the best way for them to succeed in higher education.

“We knew – and students knew – they had the talent but there were systems barriers that were impeding their progress,” said Jane. “It took time, patience and lots of persistence by staff to build these programs, and especially students as they were key in helping us learn where the challenges were.”

Following Jane’s speech, two former graduates spoke to the audience and shared their stories of how the Institute helped them achieve success in their careers.

Graduates Share and Encourage Others

Nour shared her journey from Lebanon and how she overcame homelessness while balancing school, work and single motherhood. After discovering the Institute, she graduated from the Nursing Assistant Training and worked at a nursing home and moved on to the MCA program, which helped her obtain her nursing degree, all while being a single mother to five children.

Nour credits an Institute instructor’s encouragement and her children with keeping her motivated and determined as she worked her way from being in a forced marriage to having a career as a registered nurse.

Dhuguma followed Nour and recounted how he first came to the Institute in 2007 for Nursing Assistant Training. After working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Dhuguma graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing with help from the Institute’s MCA program. He has since worked as a manager at a Minnesota Veterans Home.

Wanting to encourage others to fulfill their dreams just as he had, Dhuguma ended his speech by asking the crowd to repeat along with him, “if I can do it, you can do it, too!”

The result of the Institute’s three medical training programs since 1990 has been over 4,000 New Americans trained and working in healthcare, a truly remarkable feat. Over the decades, immigrants and refugees have played an outsized role in the healthcare field, providing a much-needed labor force in an industry facing urgent workforce shortages. Bringing fresh perspectives, determination and a bevy of other necessary skills, New Americans have been vital to Minnesota’s medical field.

“Where would the healthcare sector be without all of you and your commitment to caring for our community?” Jane Graupman told the crowd of graduates. “Thank you all for your patience, perseverance and your strength, it inspires all of us every day.”

If I can do it, you can do it, too!

The International Institute of Minnesota would like to extend gratitude to the Minnesota Legislature, the Department of Employment & Economic Development and community partners for your continued support for this free training program. Your generosity has provided over 4,000 immigrants and refugees with the training needed to enter the healthcare field and strengthen Minnesota with their contributions.

Get Involved

If you are a current or former student from the International Institute of Minnesota’s medical career trainings (Nursing Assistant Training, Medical Career Advancement or College Readiness Academy) and would like to stay involved please take a moment to fill out this Alumni Engagement Survey. 

About the International Institute of Minnesota

For over half a century, the International Institute of Minnesota has successfully welcomed more than 26,000 refugees to our state. Founded in 1919, the International Institute of Minnesota offers New Americans quality services that support their journey to stability and success. The Institute’s comprehensive offerings include refugee resettlement, English education, workforce and leadership development, college preparation and immigration and citizenship assistance. The Institute is recognized as Minnesota’s leading charitable organization dedicated to helping New Americans rebuild their lives while pursuing their personal and professional goals.

How to Help

Contributions to the International Institute of Minnesota help us fund and provide services during times of uncertainty. The Institute is grateful for the community’s support in standing with New Americans so they can find safety, stability and success. Our mission will remain possible because of the community’s generosity.

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