Like Mother, Like Daughter
May 12, 2025
No matter our age, most of us look to our moms for encouragement, support and strength.
Two moms, both Beaufort Memorial PATH (People Achieving Their Highest) graduates, are offering that strength and support to their daughters as the two high school seniors follow in their footsteps.
Sabrina Cooler and Celless Anderson both took the leap to go back to school and entered the PATH program on the Patient Care Technician track, aspiring to take on direct patient care roles within the organization.
Now, Sabrina’s daughter Rihanna Cooler and Celless’ daughter Ja’Miah Fields are following in their moms’ footsteps along that PATH.
Mother Sabrina
Sabrina graduated in the program’s eighth cohort in December 2024. She just received her national PCT certification at the Cohort 9 graduation ceremony in Port Royal on April 23.
It was a surprise for Sabrina, a Collins Birthing Center employee, when her youngest daughter Rihanna entered the PATH program.
“I knew she was going to be doing clinicals for her Health Science class at Beaufort Memorial, but I really had no clue that she was doing the PATH program,” Sabrina said about her daughter, a Battery Creek High School senior. “I thought it was a wonderful opportunity.”
Mother Celless
Celless began her journey at Beaufort Memorial almost two decades ago, starting out in the Food & Nutrition department and eventually taking on a housekeeping role in Environmental Services.
“When I used to work in housekeeping, I’d see how the people in the nursing roles would take care of the patients,” Celless recalled. “I thought, ‘I need to come up here and do this!’”
Mom of six, Celless graduated as a Patient Care Technician from the program’s third cohort in April 2023 and was also recognized with the “Most Compassionate” award during the ceremony for her commitment to putting patients first.
When her daughter Ja’Miah, a senior at Beaufort High School, told her that she wanted to enter the program, Celless told her it was a wonderful idea. “It’s a great way to get your foot in the door and learn about what the nurses do at the hospital,” Celless said.
Daughter Rihanna
Having her mom go through some of the same lessons and experiences has been “fascinating” and rewarding for Rihanna.
“I think it’s really cool to see her perspective versus my perspective,” she said. “We’re both getting taught the same material, and it’s cool to see the difference in how we both take it in.”
Rihanna, a five-year varsity cheerleader, as well as president of her school’s National Honor Society, HOSA club and Student Council, will be attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia and studying psychology and criminal justice.
Medicine has held her interest since eighth grade, she said, and the PATH program has allowed her to explore different avenues and expand her clinical knowledge.
Plus, having a mom who understands the process doesn’t hurt.
“I don’t just have a teacher to rely on, but I have my mom, too,” Rihanna said. “I’m her child; she knows how my brain works and can reiterate things so that they make sense to me. It’s been very helpful.”
Daughter Ja’Miah
Ja’Miah plans to continue her studies at Claflin University with the hopes of becoming a travel nurse. The track athlete has always been drawn to a career in healthcare, and her mom has been a huge support.
“My mom also taught me a lot about the program,” she said, “helping me with some of the things that I didn’t really catch on to. It was really great.”
The PATH program opens doors for Beaufort Memorial employees that are interested in furthering their careers within the organization, and the partnership between Beaufort Memorial and the BCSD now does the same for high school seniors like Ja’Miah and Rihanna.
The duos showcase the importance of working hard and going for what you want, whether you’re a high school senior or a 20-year employee, a mom or a daughter.
“I don’t want my kids to think that they just have to stick to one thing,” Celless said. “I want them to keep going, keep pushing themselves to do other things.”
Help for What’s Next
Being able to participate in the PATH program has been a valuable chapter for both Rihanna and Ja’Miah as the two gear up for “what’s next.”
“This puts us ahead, so we could already be prepared for college,” Ja’Miah explained. “Plus, it gives us the opportunity to actually get a job after we finish with the program.”
Sabrina said that she hopes her daughter comes away from their shared experience with determination, passion and the knowledge that her family is behind her 100 percent.
“There are people out there who are willing to help you with achieving your dreams if you put the time and effort toward it,” Sabrina said. “I am just thankful that the seniors in high school were given this opportunity prior to stepping foot into the real world.”
Rihanna, Ja’Miah and 11 other high school seniors from around the county will be graduating from the PATH program in a ceremony on May 13. Five of those seniors will begin in clinical positions at Beaufort Memorial immediately following their high school graduation, thanks to their time in PATH.
The PATH program includes scholarships, clinical training, traditional education and non-traditional financial assistance to encourage individuals to advance their careers and support a better healthcare network in the Lowcountry.