Seated, from left: graduating Medical Assisting students Lisa Oswald, Teresa Wilson, Melissa Barnette, Noely Martinez, Stacey Battle, Erica Brown, Brandy Crnkovic, Karlee McCann and Jauna Smith; Standing, from left: program head Donna Gardner, graduating students Barbara Harris, Kathryn Talouzi, Kitty Freeman, April Overton, Janelle Turner, Ulander Marable, Angela Carrington, Hunter Crumpler, Jennifer Alston, Donna Parham, Claudia Haywood and Rosalind Richardson, and instructor Patrice Allen. Not pictured: graduating student William Autry. (VGCC photo)
Vance-Granville Community College held a pinning ceremony for its 2012 Medical Assisting program graduates on Aug. 3 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 23 graduates being honored included Lisa Oswald of Bullock; Kathryn Talouzi of Bunn; Angela Carrington of Butner; Brandy Crnkovic and Peggy Forsythe, both of Creedmoor; Karlee McCann, April Overton and Donna Parham, all of Franklinton; William Autry, Stacey Battle, Barbara Harris, Ulander Marable, Noely Martinez and Juana Smith, all of Henderson; Jennifer Alston, Melissa Barnette, Erica Brown and Hunter Crumpler, all of Louisburg; Janelle Turner and Teresa Wilson, both of Oxford; Kitty Freeman of Stem; Rosalind Richardson of Warrenton; and Claudia Haywood of Youngsville.
Program head/instructor Donna Gardner 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.
Tammy Johnson Leach, who served as head of the Medical Assisting program through the fall 2011 semester, was the guest speaker. She emphasized professionalism, which she described as “a state of mind and a way of being that sets you apart…it’s about setting high standards and sticking to those standards.” Leach also told graduates that while their technical skills are important, it will be their “soft skills” or “people skills” that will make them valued employees. She said that the graduates’ opportunities as medical assistants are varied and plentiful. “I stay in contact with many of my former VGCC students, who are now lead medical assistants, clinic coordinators and practice managers, and some have gone on to become registered nurses,” Leach said.
Gardner presented each graduate with his or her 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.
VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams rounded out the ceremony with concluding remarks. She congratulated students for overcoming obstacles to achieve success, and thanked them for allowing the college to be part of their education. The president encouraged all graduates to become lifelong learners. With their one-year diplomas in hand, many graduates are continuing 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.