Nineteen Honored at VGCC Medical Assisting Pinning
Vance-Granville Community College held a pinning ceremony for its 2008 Medical Assisting program graduates on August 5 at the college’s Franklin County Campus in Louisburg, where the program is conducted.
The 19 graduates were Amy Diane Crudup of Clayton; Lashaun Denise Branch, Sarah Elizabeth Heston, Wendy Jean Ferrell and Shakeera Monique Robinson, all of Franklinton; Tammie Wynette Davis of Henderson; Lauren Nicole Kennedy, Monica D. Lawhorne, Tomeka Tywarn Davis, Yolanda Jones Long and Nakesha Latoya Ruffin, all of Louisburg; Tameko De’Rita Faulcon Nelson and Tami Lyn Wall, both of Oxford; Kristin Michelle Johnson of Wake Forest; Rachel Doggette, Rachel Michelle Rivers and Winnie Jean Prince, all of Warrenton; Sarah Howell Jones and Sheila Heigl Perry, both of Youngsville.
Instructor Patrice Allen, CMA, served as the mistress of ceremonies. Franklin County Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May welcomed and congratulated students and their families who had gathered to celebrate with them. “We are fortunate to have the Medical Assisting program at the Franklin Campus,” May said. “Our graduates play an important part in the health care field serving our four-county service area. After graduation, they are qualified to fill both administrative and laboratory positions in medical facilities.”
Dr. Lamar Shannon, a consultant and executive director of a mental health agency called Residential and Support Services (RASS), LLC, was the guest speaker. He urged students always to be the “go-to person” in their career field or organization, to spend time doing what they love and to embrace professionalism.
Each graduate then received a pin, signifying that each had successfully completed the course of study and had the skills and knowledge to practice the Medical Assisting profession. The students then lit candles and recited the creed of the American Association of Medical Assistants. According to Allen, within weeks, two graduates had jobs working for the employers where they had performed their externships as students. Seven would be continuing in the program to earn an Associate in Applied Science. Eight were continuing their education to become a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse.
Now in its tenth year at VGCC, the Medical Assisting curriculum program prepares multi-skilled health care professionals. Because VGCC’s program earned national accreditation for a second time in 2007, graduates are eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) certification examination to become Certified Medical Assistants. Graduates have found jobs in physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, health departments and hospitals. For more information, call the Franklin campus at (919) 496-1567.
Above: VGCC Medical Assisting program graduates included, kneeling in front, from left, Monica Lawhorne and Rachel Rivers; seated, from left, Amy Crudup, Lashaun Branch, Tameko Nelson and Wendy Ferrell; in back, from left, Lyn Wall, Yolanda Long, Nakesha Ruffin, Winnie Prince, Rachel Doggette, Kristin Johnson, Sarah Jones and instructor Patrice Allen. (VGCC Photo)
