Staff Reports
MOULTRIE — The nursing field has begun to see an influx of male nurses over the past decade. But Moultrie Technical College’s Moultrie and Tifton campus medical assisting (MA) programs are experiencing their own boost in class gender diversity.
Three Moultrie Tech medical assisting students walked across the stage at Withers Auditorium in Moultrie as the first-ever male graduates of the MA diploma program during the college’s semi-annual Commencement Ceremony held Friday night.
Justin Summerlin, 21, of Moultrie, along with Craig Harper, 24, and Phillip Tillery, 22, both of Sylvester, were part of classes that prepare students for a career field that is significantly staffed by females. The class rosters hold close to the national numbers in which 90 percent of all medical assistants are women.
Medical assisting has been identified as the fastest growing allied health profession in the 21st century. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34 percent from 2008 to 2018.
Training consists of both clinical and administrative skills, making MAs multi-skilled professionals. They specialize in medication administration, venipuncture, medical office procedures and medical transcription.
Summerlin, who attended the MTC Moultrie campus, is already employed in his field at the Colquitt Regional Medical Center laboratory and plans to pursue a registered nursing degree in the future.
Harper, also a Moultrie campus student, plans to take the medical assisting certification exam soon and begin working on the medical assisting associate degree at Moultrie Tech with hopes of entering the United States Navy in the summer.
Tillery, of the MTC Tifton campus, is also working in the medical field at the Spine Center in Tifton and aspires to apply for admission into the MTC radiologic technology program in the near future.
The three MA students were among hundreds of their fellow MTC graduates Friday night, as the college recognized more than 250 allied health, business and computers, personal and public service, and technical and industrial program graduates from its four-county service area of Colquitt, Tift, Turner and Worth.
MTC President Tina Anderson congratulated the summer and fall quarter graduating classes of 2009 as MTC early childhood care and education instructor and 2008 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year award winner Kathryn Kent led the faculty, staff and graduate processional as the event’s marshal.
MTC Board of Directors member Brinson Brock of South Georgia Banking Company in Ashburn assisted the college’s administration in the conferring of awards. One of the highlights of the ceremony was the commencement address given by Brad Bowen, lead pastor at Heritage Church in Moultrie, as he challenged the graduates and audience to live a life of passion.
The college honored the memory of practical nursing program graduate Bryan Collier who completed his course work in September but passed away unexpectedly in November. His mother, Jackie Holcomb, accepted his cap and gown in Friday’s ceremony.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Moultrie Tech’s first male graduates of the college’s medical assisting program celebrated prior to the Friday night ceremony. From left are Phillip Tillery, Justin Summerlin and Craig Harper. Submitted Photo
Discussion
Moultrie Tech graduates first male medical assistants
- Local News
-
-
Saving wildlife, 1 critter at a time
Many South Georgians enjoy the beauty of bountiful wildlife. But chances are, few realize that there are those special people out there who work diligently and spend their own money rescuing and rehabbing injured and orphaned animals.
-
Tax would build new school
When voters begin casting ballots next week, in addition to picking a presidential challenger they will decide whether to approve sales tax funding for a new high school.
-
Teen robbed on walking trail
A teenager reported being beaten and robbed Wednesday while on the South Main Street walking trail, Moultrie Police Department reports said
-
Easter Seals at Legislature
-
Labor Dept. to sponsor seminar for veterans
Georgia Department of Labor career centers in Moultrie and Camilla, along with employer committees in Colquitt and Mitchell counties, will sponsor a resume-writing seminar for veterans and other job seekers who are looking for civilian jobs with the federal government.
- Your Agenda 2/10/12
-
Grandmother pleads guilty in child's death
A Norman Park woman was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday in the drowning death of her 6-year-old granddaughter.
-
City: Land bank would help with dilapidated buildings
In a short but eventful meeting Tuesday, the Moultrie City Council voted to take another step toward dealing with abandoned properties and, in a separate action, voted to increase the hotel-motel tax to benefit the Colquitt County Arts Center.
Both actions will require the approval of other agencies to take effect. -
Bike trek to raise money for charity
The grandson of a Moultrie couple will be one of about 90 Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity brothers bicycling across the country to raise money for people with disabilities.
-
ABAC brings Near Peer mentors to Colquitt County High
Five students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College have been selected to participate in the Near Peer Service Learning Program, which allows ABAC students to serve as mentors to Colquitt County High School (CCHS) students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
