The Tinley Park Board met on Feb. 7, and they heard from two local businesses as part of the board’s monthly business spotlight program.
Monica Long is the owner of Hearts 2 Heal, and she spoke with the board about her business,which provides people with the opportunity to attend a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and CPR training.
“I always knew that I wanted to teach,” Long said, who has been a nurse for about 30 years. “So three degrees later, all in nursing, I realized there were gaps in health care that could benefit from passionate, knowledgeable educators who knew a lot about nursing and could also help navigate like-minded, compassionate care providers into the field of nursing to fill the gaps and care for the ill.”
The company has CPR certification training on weekdays, evenings and weekends for people with different schedules. Long said she is enthusiastic about sharing her stories and expertise. Long’s mother urged her to pursue a nursing career, and at the age of 25, she found out quickly that it was her true calling. He mother is also a nurse.
The company was launched in 2020 in response to the urgent demand for CNAs and health care workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes a curriculum to give students required skills and experiences to excel in the health care business, while also making a positive difference in patients’ lives. It is an eight-week program that runs three days a week, charges a low tuition and provides students with free books and supplies.
Long recently opened a second office in Chicago and has plans to expand the curriculum into the medical tech area. This includes a phlebotomy program.
The next class will begin in April, and those interested can call or email for additional information.
“I’m always honored when someone asks about our business or I receive requests about showcasing my work, because it is more than just a business to me. It’s my passion,” Long said.
Also recognized was Gordon Hallbeck of the sports bar Hillgrove Tap, but he was not in attendance.