College News
Hundreds earn CCCC Con Ed medical programs certificates
12.17.2013 • College & Community, College General, Graduations, Students/Graduates
SANFORD - Pride and hope radiated from the faces of Central Carolina Community College students Dec. 12 as they walked the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center stage to receive their Continuing Education graduation certificates in a wide variety of healthcare fields.
A thousand of their families and friends filled the Center's main hall, cheering and sharing in the joy of their graduates' accomplishments. More than 400 students completed studies for their certificates during the fall semester, with several earning more than one. Approximately 200 attended the graduation ceremony.
"There is always something special about graduation and particularly so at this time of year," said CCCC President Bud Marchant. "I can't think of a more special Christmas present for these students and their families than their receiving their certificates and going on into further education or the world of work."
The graduating students received Continuing Education certificates in Nurse Aide I or II, EKG Technician or EKG Monitor Technician, Central Sterile Processing Technician, Electronic Health Records Specialist, Healthcare Billing and Coding, Sleep Disorders Technician, Mental Health Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, and Pharmacy Technician.
In addition, 37 of the students also earned North Carolina Career Readiness Certificates, certifying to prospective employers their workforce skill levels in reading, applied math, and locating information.
The majority will stay in their local communities, helping to improve healthcare service and quality of life. Many will continue their educations to earn more certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
Some had overcome great obstacles to achieve their dream of earning their certificates. The audience heard the stories of just three: Tasha Dickerson, of Chatham County; Quamesia Drummond, of Harnett County; and Regina Davis, of Lee County. All had earned Nurse Aide I certificates.
Dickerson's teenage son had a massive stroke in 2010 and she wanted to be able to take care of him. She learned a great deal in the Nurse Aide I program and is able to care for her son in addition to working in home health care. She also plans to continue her education.
"I am a better woman for what I have been through," she said. "I have higher self-esteem and I thank you for what I have learned."
Drummond was unable to attend the graduation, due to illness, so Nurse Aide instructor Kim Tew read her remarks, in which she said, "I am overwhelmed with joy at my accomplishment. Reach for the next step and don't let anyone or anything discourage you from reaching that good."
Davis was a happy stay-at-home mom of three, until her husband left her and her home went into foreclosure. She decided that it was time to reach for her dream - to go into the medical field.
"Failure was not an option," she said. "Only you can control your future. With God, all things are possible."
As their names were called, each student walked across the stage, received a hard-earned certificate from President Marchant, a congratulatory handshake from CCCC trustee Martha Underwood, and congratulations from their instructors.
Following the presentation of certificates, Joy McPhail, CCCC's coordinator for Continuing Education Medical Programs in Lee County, led the graduates in the recitation of the Health Occupations' Pledge.
Elda Melendez, who received her Nurse Aide I degree, had moved from New Jersey to Holly Springs several months ago and wanted to get into a nursing program.
"I was so nervous, but my sister, Jennifer, told me to go to Central Carolina Community College. She said they have great programs and all the help they can give you, they do. I took my classes at the Harnett Health Sciences Center and found the faculty great. Now, I want to continue to be a regular nurse."
For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
Health Occupations' Pledge
Recited by graduates at Central Carolina Community College's Continuing Education Medical Programs Dec. 12 graduation:
"I solemnly do pledge to use my hands for the patient, the most important person in the hospital or health care setting.
"I understand that the patient is not an interruption to my work, but that the patient is my work.
"I understand the patient depends on me and that my reputation and job depend on the patient.
"I understand that the patient does me a favor when he or she calls; I am not doing a favor for the patient by answering the call.
"I understand that the patient is someone to comfort and help, not someone with whom to argue.
"I understand that the patient is not just a number but is flesh and blood and has feelings.
"I understand that I must fully justify the trust that the patient has in me."
Jamie Britt (left), of Lee County, gets a hug from her brother, Jonathan Kellam, for receiving her Phlebotomy Technician Certificate during the Dec. 12 Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Department's Medical Programs Graduation at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. More than 400 students completed their studies for their certificates in a variety of medical programs during the fall semester. For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
Danielle Trusell and her husband, Jason Trusell, pastor of Lifer Changers Ministry, in Sanford, are all smiles after Danielle received her EKG Technician certificate during the Dec. 12 Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Department's Medical Programs Graduation at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. More than 400 students completed their studies for their certificates in a variety of medical programs during the fall semester. For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
Regina Davis, of Lee County, addresses the Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Department's Medical Programs graduation Dec. 12 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Dickerson received her Nurse Aide I certificate. More than 400 students completed their studies for their certificates in a variety of medical programs during the fall semester. For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
Tasha Dickerson, of Chatham County, addresses the Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Department's Medical Programs graduation Dec. 12 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Dickerson received her Nurse Aide I Certificate. More than 400 students completed their studies for their certificates in a variety of medical programs during the fall semester. For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
Central Carolina Community College President Bud Marchant (right) presents Fredericka Berryman, of Harnett County, with her Nurse Aide I Certificate at the college's Continuing Education Department's Medical Programs graduation Dec. 12 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. More than 400 students completed their studies for their certificates in a variety of medical programs during the fall semester. For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
Myles Stinney (left), of Godwin, gives his wife, Alice Stinney, a big hug following the Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Department's Dec. 1 Medical Programs Graduation at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Alice received a Nurse Aide I Certificate. More than 400 students completed their studies for their certificates in a variety of medical programs during the fall semester. For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
Adolfo Perez (center), of Lillington, flanked by his proud parents, Olga Ortiz (left) and Saul Ortiz, holds the Nurse Aide I Certificate he received at the Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Department's Medical Programs graduation Dec. 12 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. More than 400 students completed their studies for their certificates in a variety of medical programs during the fall semester. For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
Elda Melendez (left), of Holly Springs, receives a hug from her sister Jennifer Melendez and Jennifer's son. Ian, 3, after receiving her Nurse Aide I Certificate at the Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Department's Medical Programs graduation Dec. 12 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. More than 400 students completed their studies for their certificates in a variety of medical programs during the fall semester. For more information about Continuing Education medical programs at CCCC, call 919-545-8044 in Chatham County, 910-814-8823 in Harnett County, or 919-777-7793 in Lee County. For information on spring Continuing Education programs, see the schedule online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/schedule/.
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