Eight graduate from Northern Light Mayo and CA Dean Hospital medical assistant course
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Northern Light Mayo and CA Dean Hospitals are pleased to announce that eight individuals have graduated from their 2024 medical assistant training program. The graduates were recognized in front of hospital staff, friends, and family at a ceremony held on April 16 at the Central Hall Commons in Dover-Foxcroft.
The graduates will now take the certified clinical medical assistant certification exam and begin full time employment at CA Dean Hospital, Mayo Hospital, and other facilities.
“This group worked hard and had a lot of fun. I am proud of them for completing a very challenging course of study while navigating home and work responsibilities. They are well prepared to begin their careers as MAs, and I wish them the very best moving forward,” said Nikki Chadwick, RN, MSN, CPHQ, vice president of Quality and Education at Mayo Hospital.
PROGRAM GRADUATES — From left, Nikki Chadwick, RN, MSN, CPHQ, vice president of Quality and Education at Mayo Hospital, with medical assistant training program graduates Tiffani Howe, Andrea Wright, Maged Shahin, Erin Abele, Emma Bowden, Megan Carlson, Sara Willis, and Sierra Grinnell.
Course graduate Maged Shahin, an emergency medical technician who will transition to a medical assistant role, believes that the training program has prepared him well for the next step in his career.
“The course was challenging, but having a great instructor made it a little easier. Being a medical assistant is a whole different adventure from being an EMT. I’m really looking forward to it,” he says.
On any given day, medical assistants may prepare patients to see the provider, help the provider with procedures, follow up with patients on lab and test results, confirm office appointments, and more. Course graduate Megan Carlson enjoyed learning about the educational responsibilities of being a medical assistant.
“We’re the people that patients look to for support in many ways. I believe that we play a big part in trying to keep people calm and help them understand. I feel like I can talk to people about their care and make them feel more comfortable,” she says.
Students in the 14-week program received training at no cost. They also became part-time CA Dean or Mayo Hospital employees and were paid 20 hours per week for time spent learning. Course supplies and equipment were funded with support from the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, administered through Eastern Maine Community College.