VGCC recognizes Medical Assisting students at Pinning
Vance-Granville Community College held a pinning ceremony for its 2013 Medical Assisting program graduates on Aug. 1 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 16 graduates being honored included Judy Vann McIntosh of Bunn; Lindsey Brooke Hinkle of Creedmoor; Tiffany Nicole Crudup, JoAn Arnold Marshall, Lauren Ashleigh Piper and Jennifer Holbrook Sykora, all of Franklinton; Maryfrances Johnson of Henderson; Meagan Rebecca Allen, Kathryn Lynn Boda and Rachel Anne Edwards, all of Louisburg; Brandi Hormell and Christy Leigh Strickland, both of Oxford; Ashley Marie Hormell of Stem; Tabatha Nicole Dickerson and Sarah Lane Ruehl, both of Wake Forest; and Deborah Jo Vera 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. She also shared some of the glowing comments made about members of the class by area employers who supervised the students during their clinical externships.
Mary Somerville, the executive director and co-founder of the Warren County Free Clinic , served as the guest speaker. Her clinic in Warrenton was among those externship sites where two Medical Assisting students received real-world experience this year. Somerville reminded graduates that service to others, rather than monetary rewards, would bring them true joy, peace and satisfaction. “Today you are positioning yourself to be able to meet the growing demand to provide care for those in need,” she 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 on working hard to achieve success. “You are fortunate to be entering a profession in which not only can you make a difference but also in which you can make a career, because of the variety of job opportunities available,” she said. The president encouraged all graduates to maintain high standards as professionals and 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 .
Above: Seated, from left: graduating Medical Assisting students Judy McIntosh, Meagan Allen, Rachel Edwards, Brandi Hormell, Jennifer Sykora, Lauren Piper, Christy Strickland and Deborah Jo Vera; Standing, from left: program head Donna Gardner, Lindsey Hinkle, Tiffany Crudup, Kathryn Boda, Ashley Hormell, Tabatha Dickerson, Sarah Ruehl, JoAn Marshall and Maryfrances Johnson, and instructor Patrice Allen. (VGCC photo)
