Northshore College Enhancement Foundation Awarded $100,000 Grant from Louisiana Blue Foundation to Launch Associate of Applied Science in Patient Navigation

Lacombe, LA — Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) is proud to announce the launch of Louisiana’s first Associate of Applied Science in Patient Navigation program, aligned with Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures and national benchmarks. This program will begin in early 2026, creating a standardized, credentialed pathway with two nationally recognized tiers: Certified Patient Navigator Assistant (CPNA) and Certified Professional Patient Navigator (CPPN).

"Northshore Technical Community College is deeply grateful to the Louisiana Blue Foundation for this Impact Grant investment. With this support, NTCC will launch Louisiana’s first Patient Navigator associate degree (AAS) program—an innovative initiative designed to expand access to high-quality education and strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce," said Dr. Jim Carlson, Chancellor of NTCC. "This new program will equip students to guide patients through complex health systems, improve care coordination, and ultimately enhance health outcomes for families across our region. We appreciate the Foundation’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of Louisianians and are honored to partner in advancing a healthier, more resilient Louisiana."

“Too many Louisianians struggle to access and navigate the care they need, often because the system is complex and resources to help understand it are limited,” said Michael Tipton, president of the Louisiana Blue Foundation. “This investment in NTCC’s Patient Navigator program supports a stronger, more connected healthcare community – one that improves care and coordination, reduces preventable hospitalizations and leads to better outcomes for families across Louisiana.”

Louisiana consistently ranks among the lowest states in health outcomes, driven by critical workforce shortages, chronic disease prevalence, and inequities in access. The Patient Navigator program is a workforce innovation designed to expand care coordination and reduce health disparities across the state, leading to fewer preventable hospitalizations. Through hybrid instruction and externship-based training, students will master motivational interviewing, chronic disease management, telehealth, and cultural competence, preparing them to bridge care gaps across hospitals, clinics, and insurance organizations.

###

About Northshore Technical Community College

Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) is a comprehensive college with a rich history of providing workforce training and academic pathways to universities across the state of Louisiana. Beyond the traditional classroom and workforce training opportunities, NTCC provides opportunities for students seeking our Adult Education, ESL, and YouthBuild programs. NTCC is comprised of its Main Campus in Lacombe, Hammond Area Campus, Direct Connect Campus at Southeastern Louisiana University, Florida Parishes Campus in Greensburg, Sullivan Campus in Bogalusa, and the Livingston Parish Campus in Walker. In 2015, NTCC was recognized by the Brookings Institute as the first in the nation for economic value of its graduates. The Chronicle of Higher Education named NTCC in 2019 as seventh fastest growing colleges from 2007-2017. NTCC was also awarded the Greater New Orleans Top Workplaces by The Times-Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate every year since 2018. For more information about NTCC, visit www.northshorecollege.edu