COEUR d'ALENE — Heritage Health has a reason to celebrate.

Four reasons, to be exact.

The first graduates of the health care provider's inaugural post-graduate residency training program for nurse practitioners were honored Wednesday evening during a ceremony at the Innovation Den in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

Kimberly Ashmore, Leah Furman, Annie Owen and Angela Blake received diplomas, flowers and words of praise from their peers and loved ones for the achievement of this professional milestone and the path they have helped pave for Heritage Health.

"We came into this program and received support as new providers and are leaving with increased confidence and competence," said Ashmore, speaking on behalf of the class.

"The residency has been invaluable for preparing us for the road ahead," she said, adding that it would not have been possible without support from the Heritage Health family and other medical providers and professionals who walked alongside them on the journey.

The evening's emcee and Heritage Health Nurse Practitioner Clinic Director Dr. Leanne Rousseau beamed with pride as she discussed the growth of each graduate throughout the program and their dedication to their patients and their work.

She said the most important thing the graduates and anyone in health care can do is give hope to those who come to them in their times of need.

"You are the future of health care," she said to the grads. "Thank you for being pioneers and primary care providers — there are easier ways to live."

The mission of the 13-month residency is to improve access and quality of health care in the community by advancing the education of newly graduated nurse practitioners. 

A four-year federal grant will continue to support the program.

The application window will open in December for the class of 2026. Contact program manager Kaylee Blackburn at kblackburn@myheritagehealth.org for information.

Heritage Health has retained and hired all four residents who will be working in Coeur d'Alene or Rathdrum.

    Heritage Health celebrated the first graduating class of its inaugural post-graduate residency training program for nurse practitioners Wednesday. Program manager Kaylee Blackburn, left, is seen with the grads earlier this year. From left: Blackburn, Annie Owen, Angela Blake, Kimberly Ashmore and Leah Furman.
  

    Heritage Health Nurse Practitioner Clinic Director Dr. Leanne Rousseau beams with pride Wednesday as she celebrates the first graduating class of Heritage Health's postgraduate training program for nurse practitioners.