CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — December 29, 2025— Morning Pointe Senior Living is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Chattanooga College Nursing Program that will welcome Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) students into its Chattanooga-area communities for required clinical rotations.
Through the collaboration, practical nursing students will complete hands-on clinical experiences at six Morning Pointe Senior Living communities across the Chattanooga market. Students will gain exposure to assisted living and memory care while working directly alongside experienced nursing teams in real-world care settings.
As part of the partnership, Kristi Thomasson, Director of Nursing for the Chattanooga College Nursing Program, and Ashley Yarbrough, Clinical Coordinator, toured all six Chattanooga-area Morning Pointe Senior Living communities with Ghena Wilson, Regional Director of Nursing for the Lookout Region. The visits offered faculty leaders a close look at resident care environments, clinical operations, and the collaborative approach used within assisted living and memory care. Wilson was later invited to visit the Chattanooga College campus, where she toured the nursing classrooms and clinical lab and met with faculty and students enrolled in the program.
“Assisted living nursing offers practical nursing students a unique and meaningful perspective on patient care that extends far beyond task-based nursing,” said Kristi Thomasson, Director of Nursing for the Chattanooga College Nursing Program. “In this setting, students have the opportunity to build genuine relationships with residents, develop strong assessment and clinical judgment skills, and recognize subtle changes in condition that support early intervention and improved outcomes. Assisted living also fosters confidence, leadership, and autonomy, as nurses play a vital role in coordinating care, educating residents and families, and advocating for quality of life and dignity. For practical nursing students, this experience provides a strong foundation for any nursing career while offering the professional fulfillment that comes from seeing residents thrive, maintain independence, and live their best lives. We look forward to this partnership with Morning Pointe, and we are grateful for this opportunity.”
For Morning Pointe Senior Living, the partnership reflects a continued commitment to education, mentorship, and strengthening the future healthcare workforce.
“Opening our communities to nursing students is about more than clinical hours,” said Bebe Kennedy, Senior VP of Operations at Morning Pointe Senior Living. “It’s about helping students understand critical thinking and compassion that define quality senior care. We’re proud to support their education while also investing in the next generation of nurses who will care for older adults with skill and heart.”
Clinical rotations with Chattanooga College Nursing Program students are expected to begin in the upcoming academic term.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates 42 assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities across five southeastern states. In the Tennessee Valley, communities are located in Chattanooga, East Hamilton, Collegedale, Hixson, and Walker County, Georgia.
