News Gc Celebrates Medical Assistant Recognition Week - Garrett College
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Campus News

October 22th, 2024

GC celebrates Medical Assistant Recognition Week

Bittinger: 'Medical assistants are a vital part of our healthcare system'

medical assistant

Left to Right is Former students Emily Welch of Oakland MD and Chelsea Stephens of Cumberland MD. On the far Right is our Instructor Brigette Friend from Mt Lake Park MD

Accident, MD — Donna Bittinger, Garrett College's assistant director of workforce development, said Medical Assistant Recognition Week (October 21-25) will honor individuals who serve "as the backbone of healthcare settings."

"Medical assistants are a vital part of our healthcare system," said Bittinger, who noted Garrett College offers a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program that prepares students for three national certification exams.

"We are incredibly proud of our graduates and the work they are doing," said Bittinger. "Their contributions to patient care, especially during times of increased demand, are invaluable."

The College's CCMA curriculum is designed to prepare students for National Healthcare Association (NHA) certification exams for Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified Medical Administration Assistant, and Phlebotomy. Bittinger lauded the role medical assistants play, noting Garrett College's graduates "have gone on to work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, where they make a difference in their communities every day."

Kate Ressler, writing in the NHA allied health industry blog, noted that patient care "is at the core of most medical assistants' responsibility."

"It's their job to truly hear patient needs and find a way to share those needs with the nurses and physicians on their teams," wrote Ressler.

Bittinger said medical assistants "perform a variety of critical tasks, from administrative duties to hands-on patient care."

"Whether they are scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, or assisting with clinical procedures, their work is crucial to ensuring that healthcare facilities run smoothly and patients receive the care they need," added Bittinger.

"Garrett College extends its gratitude to all current and future medical assistants for their unwavering commitment to patient care and their communities," said Bittinger. "The College remains dedicated to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals through our workforce training programs."

For more information about the Garrett College Allied Health Workforce Training programs, visit GC's website (www.garrettcollege.edu) or contact Program Coordinator Doug Beitzel at (301) 387-3772 or doug.beitzel@garrettcollege.edu.