Concord, MA, September 17, 2025 – Newbury Court, in partnership with MassBay Community College, recently celebrated the graduation of 20 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students.
The event marked a milestone in a unique collaboration between Newbury Court and MassBay that both strengthens care for older adults in Concord and creates meaningful career opportunities in the healthcare field.
“At Newbury Court, we believe in creating pathways for individuals to grow and thrive. Our partnership with MassBay blends education and hands-on experience to prepare people for meaningful careers while ensuring exceptional care for older adults,” said Sheena Brien, Vice President of Human Resources at Deaconess Abundant Life Communities.
As Newbury Court emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, it saw a pressing need to hire consistent, dedicated staff to care for its residents. Around this same time, a local shelter for migrants opened in Concord, where many individuals had been trained in their home countries as caregivers, nurses, or doctors. Newbury Court recognized the opportunity to help them obtain their CNA certification and enter the workforce while addressing a nationwide shortage of senior care professionals.
That vision led to a formal partnership with MassBay, which saw a way to reduce educational expenses and provide students with hands-on clinical training. In May 2025, Newbury Court became an official certified satellite site with MassBay, offering both classroom-based lab skills instruction and live clinical training on-site. Students work directly with residents and staff at Newbury Court’s skilled nursing center, gaining the technical knowledge and experience to work in senior care.
“We are proud of our partnership with Newbury Court,” said MassBay’s Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Workforce Development, and Community Education, Colleen Coffey. “Through this collaboration, we’ve been able to strengthen the local healthcare system while providing students with the skills and training they need to launch their careers. We congratulate our recent graduates and look forward to welcoming the next cohort of students.”
Two CNA classes, totaling 20 students, have already completed their training at Newbury Court and graduated this July. Four graduates of MassBay’s summer class have joined the Newbury Court team as CNAs, beginning work in August 2025, while others are pursuing positions in senior care or continuing their education in healthcare fields. This September marks the start of our fall CNA classes with MassBay! This September, Newbury Court is excited to welcome 20 new students to its campus, where they will train in its 5-star, deficiency-free Skilled Nursing Center, recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health this August.
“During my time in the MassBay Community College CNA course, I gained both the skills and knowledge I would need to pass the state certification exam, and formative clinical experience,” said Beckett B., 2025 graduate of MassBay’s CNA course. “After passing the class and my state exams, I had the pleasure of being hired at Newbury Court, where I completed my clinical. I’m happy to be joining their community.”
“I am deeply grateful to MassBay Community College and Newbury Court for my experience in the CNA program. Both the classroom and clinical settings provided invaluable experience, giving me plenty of hands-on training while allowing me to meet so many wonderful people.
With everything I learned, I was happy to accept a job within Newbury Court as soon as I obtained my CNA license.”—Nemaya W., a 2025 graduate of MassBay’s CNA course
About Newbury Court
Since opening our doors in 1994, Newbury Court, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Life Plan Community, has been a premier leader in Concord senior living. Newbury Court offers residential and life-plan services for seniors 62+. Learn more at www.newburycourt.org.
About MassBay Community College
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston and is free to most Massachusetts residents without a bachelor’s degree. With more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs, along with comprehensive workforce and educational training, MassBay provides a wide range of courses with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Wellesley, Framingham, the Automotive Technology Center in Ashland, and online, in high-demand fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and the humanities. MassBay students receive unparalleled value, with free one-on-one academic and social support services, compassionate and experienced faculty, and stackable credits that easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and that provide hands- on, workforce-ready skills. Health sciences, human services, early childhood education, and many general education programs are offered at the 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art MassBay Framingham, which has served the community since January 2024. Founded in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by multiple governing bodies and remains dedicated to serving its diverse communities, fostering inclusiveness, and advancing equity for all.
Press Contact:
Contact Lizzie Seibert, Marketing & Communications Manager
Phone 978-369-5155
Email eseibert@newburycourt.org
Photos:
1: MassBay Community College Students celebrate their CNA graduation at Newbury Court