Our Story
MaryAnn Wilson, RN, and her husband, Gary Wilson, founded MaryAnn's CNA Training School of Nursing in 2002, but the roots of her journey in healthcare trace back to one extraordinary woman: her grandmother, Pearl Lyon. Pearl worked as a Nursing Assistant and had an undeniable love for caring for others. She always came home from work full of warmth and joy. One day, a young Mary Ann asked her what made her so happy after such long shifts. Her grandmother’s response left a lifelong impression:
“It doesn’t matter how much money you make. Nothing will ever make you feel as full as knowing you’ve helped someone. That’s where true happiness comes from.”
Pearl shared that if she’d had the resources, she would have become a Registered Nurse. That conversation lit a spark in Mary Ann. She decided to follow that dream—not just for herself, but for her grandmother too.
“That moment really stayed with me,” Mary Ann said. “I became a nurse not just for myself, but because I knew how much it meant to her.”
A Lifelong Commitment to Care
Mary Ann began her journey in healthcare at just 14 years old, working in a nursing home in McMinnville, Oregon, making beds and feeding residents. By 15, she was a Nursing Assistant and a medication aide. From there, her passion only grew.
She went on to complete her LPN training at Portland Community College’s Nursing School, then earned her RN after graduating from Clark College.
Over the past 50 years in nursing, Mary Ann has worked in various healthcare settings, gaining experience and developing a deep commitment to patient care. She began training Nursing Assistants in 1975.
Mary Ann started her career at St. Vincent’s Hospital on the cardiac floor, and later worked at PeaceHealth Hospital in Vancouver, also on the cardiac floor. From there, she began teaching CNAs for Eagle Health Care and eventually opened her own school in 2002.
A School With Heart
MaryAnn’s CNA School of Nursing is the longest-running CNA program in Clark County. The school is built on the belief that healthcare education should be hands-on, compassionate, and rooted in real-world experience.
MaryAnn teaches with heart and integrity, helping students not only pass their certification exams but also truly understand what it means to care for others. She believes every student is unique and works closely with them to develop the passion, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed.
The program is known for its high pass rate and engaging class structure. Classes are held every two weeks. Students receive classroom instruction, lab practice, and the opportunity to complete their clinicals on-site at a 10-bed training facility owned by MaryAnn and her husband, Gary.
Owners Gary, and MaryAnn Wilson
Giving Back
Mary Ann is also nearing retirement age, and as she reflects on her career, she’s proud of what the school has become. With her family by her side, she continues to guide the next generation of caregivers.
“As a Christian, I try to run my business with integrity,” MaryAnn said. “We all strive to have a servant’s heart. Life can be tough, and our students come from all walks of life. We aim to make a positive impact on their lives, just as my Grandma Pearl taught me to do. Every life is special, and because our students will be caring for vulnerable adults, I want them to carry that same sense of passion and compassion into every patient or resident they serve.”
Adapted with permission from “100-year-old grandmother is inspiration for CNA training school” by Joanna Michaud, originally published in The Reflector (March 21, 2012).
Pearl Lyon