In Avery's Words: A Future in Medicine, A Commitment to Care

At Capitol Lakes, meaningful connections happen every day - and they're made possible by the team members who bring compassion, energy, and care to our community. The Capitol Lakes Foundation's tuition assistance program supports these team members as they pursue their own goals, both inside and outside of work.

Avery Tirschman shares how that support helps her balance college with her work as a CNA, and how her experiences at Capitol Lakes shape her aspirations for a future in medicine.

"Hello!! My name is Avery Tirschman and I am a Certified Nursing Assistant working at Capital Lakes. I started my training in February of 2026, so it has been about 8 months since I've started.

I am proud to say that Capital Lakes is my first CNA job that I have worked in with certification. I am so lucky to be a part of truly such an amazing team of CNA peers, nurses, supervisors, caregivers and many other prominent roles.

I am currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin - Madison studying Global Health, Biology and Science Communication. I plan to attend medical school after I graduate in 2029 and plan to work as a physician in a rural community or underserved area somewhere in Wisconsin.

I have some pretty ambitious goals that require lots of funding, whether that's through the actual schooling or even just the tests, interviews and preparation. Tuition assistance plays a large part in easing some stress and mental load that comes with being a full time student, working and participating in extracurriculars. With tuition assistance, I don't burn out from stress and I am able to stay passionate about what I am learning and stay engaged in my job at Capital Lakes.

One of my favorite things about Capital Lakes is the rapport that the staff and residents have with one another. Whether it's day trips to the hair salon, dancing in the living area, watching geography movies together or even just exchanging stories and laughs, there are always valuable connections being made. I love making residents feel comfortable and supported while giving them a buddy to talk to or a trusted outlet for concerns."

Because of people like you who give so generously to the Capitol Lakes Foundation, team members like Avery can continue pursuing their educational goals while making a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents. Your support invests not only in their futures, but also in the people who make Capitol Lakes such a special community.