Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Hardiman-Eskridge.
Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I didn’t start out as a school owner.
I started out as a woman who just wanted a chance.
I was once the student who didn’t have the money, the childcare, or the support to attend college the traditional way. At the time, my options were limited—but I refused to give up. Through the WIOA program, I was able to get my CNA training funded, because that was the only door open to me.
I walked through it.
I worked as a CNA for years—showing up, serving others, doing the hard work, and still quietly dreaming of more. Even then, I knew I was meant for something greater. But more importantly, I never forgot how it felt to want better and not know where to start.
That feeling stayed with me.
It’s the reason I do this work today.
I built Compassionate Medical Academy not just as a school, but as a second chance—because women like us deserve access. We deserve opportunity. We deserve to build legacies that change our families and our communities.
If I could go from CNA → school owner → mentor helping other women launch vocational training programs, then I know what’s possible when the right doors are opened.
And now, I make it my mission to open those doors for others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth—and I believe that’s part of what shaped both my leadership and my mission.
In the beginning, my biggest challenges were limited resources, lack of capital, and navigating systems that weren’t built with women like me in mind. I had to learn how to build while still surviving—balancing family responsibilities, entrepreneurship, and the emotional weight of being the first to do something this big.
There were moments of self-doubt, times when doors closed unexpectedly, and seasons where I had to pause, pivot, or rebuild from scratch. Navigating licensing, compliance, and growth in a regulated industry came with its own learning curve—often without mentorship or clear guidance.
Another challenge was being underestimated—having to prove my credibility despite my lived experience being my greatest qualification. I learned quickly that resilience, consistency, and integrity matter just as much as credentials.
Through every obstacle, I chose persistence. I invested in learning, sought the right support, and stayed committed to the vision—especially when progress felt slow.
Those challenges didn’t stop me; they refined me. And today, they allow me to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose—because I understand firsthand what it means to build something meaningful from the ground
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Compassionate Medical Academy is a healthcare training school dedicated to preparing students for in-demand careers in allied health through accessible, career-focused education. We specialize in online, hybrid, and hands-on vocational healthcare programs designed for adult learners, parents, career-changers, and individuals who may not thrive in traditional college settings.
Our programs are intentionally built to be practical, affordable, and outcome-driven, with a strong emphasis on workforce readiness, real-world skills, and long-term career mobility. We don’t just train students to pass exams—we prepare them to enter the healthcare field with confidence, competence, and clarity.
What truly sets Compassionate Medical Academy apart is that we were built by someone who once sat in the same seat as our students. I understand the barriers many of our learners face—financial strain, childcare needs, limited access, and lack of guidance—because I lived them. That lived experience influences everything we do, from how our programs are structured to how we support students beyond enrollment.
A core part of our culture is how we treat students like family—not numbers. Our commitment does not end at graduation. Students continue to have ongoing access to our team, support during their job search, and guidance as they transition into the workforce. Whether a graduate needs career advice, a reference, encouragement, or simply someone to call, our doors remain open. We believe true success is measured by long-term outcomes, confidence, and stability, not just completion rates.
We are known for:
Student-centered education rooted in compassion and accountability
Career-aligned programs that meet real workforce demands
Clear pathways from training to employment or entrepreneurship
Relationship-driven leadership that supports students before, during, and after graduation
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the trust and transformation Compassionate Medical Academy represents. It is more than a school—it is a second chance, a launching point, and for many, the beginning of generational change. Our brand stands for access, opportunity, and legacy, especially for women and families ready to rewrite their stories.
What I want readers to know most is this:
Compassionate Medical Academy exists to open doors. We believe education should be attainable, empowering, and human-centered—and we are committed to walking alongside our students long after the classroom ends.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that surprises many people is that behind the roles of school owner, mentor, and leader, I am still deeply hands-on and personally invested in the lives of the people I serve.
Most don’t realize that I stay closely connected to our students long after graduation—checking in, offering guidance, helping them navigate career decisions, and supporting them through life transitions. I don’t see leadership as distance; I see it as proximity.
Another surprise is that much of my work is driven by lived experience rather than theory. Every program, policy, and support system within Compassionate Medical Academy was built from real moments—times when I didn’t have answers, resources, or support myself. I intentionally design our offerings to fill the gaps I once experienced.
At the core, I am still the student who needed someone to believe in me. That perspective keeps me grounded, accessible, and deeply committed to creating spaces where others feel seen, supported, and capable of building something greater for themselves
Pricing:
- Our Online programs ranges from $599-$1,450
- Hybrid Programs ranges from $1,400-$5,000
- 3-5 day in person accelerator classes range from $880-$1,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.compassionatemedicalacademy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassionate_cma_onlineschool?igsh=a25pMWp5NW8yOGlz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BjteAg6uC/?mibextid=wwXIfr
