When Elijah entered the Medical Assistant track of Employ Milwaukee’s Milwaukee Equitable Nursing Development (MEND) program, he was unemployed. His previous work experience included entry-level positions in material handling, fast food, and retail. He excelled in the classroom, successfully completed the program, and passed the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam to earn his Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification in December 2024. Elijah immediately transitioned into a full-time role as a Medical Assistant with Ascension Wisconsin. When he applied to the program, Elijah shared that he was “looking for a career opportunity, not just a job.” Thanks to the MEND program, Elijah found that career. 

MEND offers work-based learning for individuals interested in getting a Medical Assistant certification. This accelerated training is run by the Center for Healthcare Careers of Southeast Wisconsin (CHCSEW). 2025 marked an important milestone with the enrollment of two male students, helping address the longstanding gender imbalance in the MA workforce. 

Male Medical Assistants remain significantly underrepresented in both training programs and clinical settings. This lack of visibility can reinforce outdated gender norms and discourage other men from entering the field. By supporting male trainees, Employ Milwaukee, CHCSEW, and health system partners are actively challenging these perceptions and demonstrating that medical assisting is a rewarding and viable career path for everyone. 

Since its inception, the Medical Assistant training program has enrolled over 200 participants, with a 90% completion rate, a 95% job placement rate, a 91% six-month retention rate, and an 81% one-year retention rate. In addition, participants’ pass rate on the National Medical Assistant certification exam is over 97%, far surpassing the national average of 60%.