Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls in the Tacony section of Philadelphia and Holy Family University in Northeast Philadelphia, announced a partnership that will expand Saint Hubert’s Healthcare Careers in 1-2-3 College/Career program. This initiative will now include a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification with Holy Family University.
The first cohort of 10 seniors will have the opportunity to participate in the CNA program. Students will learn practical skills in medical terminology, healthcare ethics, and nursing assistant patient care concurrently with their high school curriculum. The classes will take place in the newly renovated simulator lab at Saint Hubert’s. Students will take their labs at Holy Family University.
Leadership from Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, Holy Family University, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education, were present for the signing of the memorandum of understanding at Saint Hubert’s. They include:
- Anne Prisco, President, Holy Family University;
- Gina MacKenzie, Principal, Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls;
- Eric Stonesifer, Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs, Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls;
- Lizanne Pando, President, Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls;
- William Branick, Superintendent of Secondary Schools and Schools of Special Education, Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education;
- Patricia Rigby, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education;
- Michelle M. Murphy-Rozanski, PhD, MSN, RN, CRNP-FNP, Vice Dean, Health Sciences, Professor, Holy Family University;
- Edward Wright, Vice President, Enrollment, Holy Family University;
- Michelle Conley, Chief Nursing Officer, Jefferson Health System – North Region; and
- The first cohort of Saint Hubert’s students to participate in the CNA program and their families.
“Through this program, students will leave high school not only with their diploma, but also with a professional certification that can jump-start their careers,” said Dr. Anne Prisco, president, Holy Family University. “At Holy Family, we’re proud to walk alongside them as they gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in healthcare and beyond.”
Students who complete the program and pass their Pennsylvania State exam will have guaranteed job placement with Jefferson Healthcare, a partner of Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls.
Dr. Lizanne Pando, President of Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls said of the Certified Nursing Assistance Program with Holy Family University, “Our students are reaching higher every day. We are not surprised that our ‘Healthcare Careers in 123’ has expanded to allied health certifications that will direct these students right into the workforce with guaranteed job placement.” Dr. Pando continued, “We worked with Jefferson Health on recommendations to expand our allied health offerings and the Certified Nursing Assistant program was the perfect fit!”
The CNA program was made possible with support from Holy Family University to secure equipment required to teach the courses and the Connelly Foundation who provided funding for the capital renovations including the simulator lab.
The Connelly Foundation of West Conshohocken is inspired by its Catholic heritage to improve the quality of life for people in the Philadelphia region by supporting charitable organizations in the areas of education, human services, and culture and civics that strengthen resilience and help people to flourish.
About Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls
Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls opened in 1941 and has been forming women of faith, integrity, and leadership for 84 years. Saint Hubert’s is an Arts and Design Academy with a STEAM curriculum. The newly developed Healthcare Careers in 1-2-3 program partners with Manor College, Holy Family University, and La Salle University to offer college classes in Healthcare and Business. Saint Hubert has added Certified Nursing Associate (CNA) classes to their curriculum for 2025-26 school year with Holy Family University. Each of the students who graduates from this program and passes their state exam will be guaranteed a job placement in a career as a CNA making between $43,000 and $50,000. Saint Hubert’s has over 30,000 alumnae living and making a difference all over the world. For more information about Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, please visit huberts.org/.
About Holy Family University
Holy Family University is a private Catholic institution with campus locations in Philadelphia and Newtown, Pa. Founded in 1954, the University is guided by a values-based mission and serves as a vital anchor institution in Northeast Philadelphia and Bucks County. Holy Family fosters a welcoming and accessible learning environment for all students.
The University is recognized as an “Opportunity University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings” by the Carnegie Classification and as a Tier 1 institution for “Top Performers on Social Mobility” by Third Way. It was named one of the Top 10 schools nationally for best salary outcomes by The Chronicle of Higher Education, and is listed by Money Magazine as a Best College for educational quality, affordability, and alumni success.
Holy Family University includes four academic divisions: the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Technology, the School of Education, and the School of Nursing & Health Sciences. With a main campus nestled in a historic residential neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia and a scenic site in Bucks County, the University offers the best of both quiet charm and urban access—just minutes from Center City. Holy Family enrolls more than 3,600 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and was rated the 2025 Safest College in Philadelphia by Niche.com.
Holy Family University is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
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Editor’s Note:
LINK TO PHOTOS for publication purposes courtesy of Holy Family University.
For information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit aopcatholicschools.org/.
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