VGCC recognizes 21 Medical Assisting students at Pinning
Vance-Granville Community College held a pinning ceremony for its 2011 Medical Assisting program graduates on Aug. 5 at the college’s Franklin County Campus in Louisburg, where the program is conducted. As VGCC’s program is nationally accredited, graduates are now eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) certification examination to become Certified Medical Assistants.
The 21 graduates were Derrick Crudup of Bunn; Peggy Forsythe of Durham; Amber Jones, Ebonee Langford and Lova Stelly, all of Franklinton; Lisa Ramsey and Jerri Wilson both of Henderson; Josefina Aguilar, Brooke Amorosa, Maureen Cole, Lynn Gaskin, Lisa Holmes, Katie Mitchell, Debbie Satterwhite, Donna Tyler and Teresa Weathers, all of Louisburg; Sonya Newell and Leroy Wilson, Jr., both of Oxford; Mary Lane of Stovall; Maria Glover of Wake Forest; and Shannon Williams of Warrenton.
Instructor/Certified Medical Assistant Patrice Allen served as the mistress of ceremonies. Franklin County Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May made welcoming remarks, congratulating the students and thanking their supportive families and friends who had gathered to celebrate the graduates’ success.
Julie Henry, public information officer for the N.C. Division of Public Health, was the guest speaker. Addressing the graduates, Henry welcomed them to a profession that she said would be increasingly dependent on technology. “Whether you are just beginning your career or retooling to relaunch your career, you are a critical piece of this new health-care environment,” Henry said. “Programs like this one build a skilled workforce that is equipped for the jobs of the future. Our community colleges are an essential part of the retooling that North Carolina needs to rebuild our economy.”
Each graduate received a pin from program head Tammy Johnson Leach , signifying that each had successfully completed the course of study and had the skills and knowledge to practice the Medical Assisting profession. The students lit candles and recited the creed of the American Association of Medical Assistants. Leach expressed her pride in the entire class and presented certificates of excellence to several in particular who were already employed in their field: Aguilar, Weathers, Satterwhite, Tyler, Holmes, Cole and Glover.
VGCC President Randy Parker rounded out the ceremony with concluding remarks. He congratulated the students, adding, “I challenge you to move from success to significance. Make a significant difference in people’s lives.” With their one-year diplomas in hand, many graduates indicated that they intend to continue their education to complete the two-year associate degree in Medical Assisting. For more information about Medical Assisting , call the Franklin Campus at (919) 496-1567.
Above: Seated, from left: Peggy Forsythe, Lisa Ramsey, Debbie Satterwhite, Katie Mitchell, Sonya Newell, Mary Lane, Brooke Amorosa, Maureen Cole and Josefina Aguilar; Standing, from left: program head Tammy Johnson Leach, students Maria Glover, Shannon Williams, Derrick Crudup, Lova Stelly, Jerri Wilson, Amber Jones, Leroy Wilson, Jr., Lynn Gaskins, Teresa Weathers, Lisa Holmes, Donna Tyler and Ebonee Langford and instructor Patrice Allen. (VGCC photo)
