Ascend Learning Acquires TAMS to Strengthen Faculty Operations at Nursing Schools
BOSTON, Aug. 05, 2026 — Ascend Learning, a healthcare and learning technology company, has announced the acquisition of the Teaching Assignment Management System (TAMS), a cloud-based platform developed at Duke University for managing teaching assignments and workload. TAMS has become a widely recognized tool utilized by over 70 colleges and universities, including institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Texas A&M, and Marquette University, along with various nursing schools and health sciences programs. This acquisition reinforces Ascend Learning’s commitment to investing in technologies that enhance educational programs, support faculty, and train future healthcare professionals.
As workforce shortages continue to challenge healthcare organizations, nursing programs are increasingly pressured to accommodate a growing number of students despite existing faculty shortages and administrative complexities. TAMS addresses this critical issue by replacing inefficient, manual processes with a centralized, data-driven platform. "Nursing schools are doing extraordinary work under real pressure, and our job is to make that work easier at every level," said Lissy Hu, MD, CEO of Ascend Learning.
Ascend Learning already supports more than 60% of U.S. nursing schools through its ATI Nursing Education division. The company provides curriculum, assessment, simulation, and faculty development solutions, equipping various stakeholders in the healthcare education sector. The addition of TAMS enhances this support by facilitating operational decision-making concerning teaching assignments and faculty management.
David Parrish, Founder of TAMS, shared insights on the platform's origins: "We built TAMS at Duke because we lived the problem firsthand and knew there had to be a better way. What started as a solution for one institution has grown into a platform trusted by programs across the country." He emphasized that Ascend Learning’s extensive reach and dedication to serving educational institutions make it an ideal partner for TAMS.
With this acquisition, Ascend Learning aims to provide comprehensive support to educational institutions, covering areas from faculty planning and workload management to student learning and workforce readiness.