Graduation Ceremonies Held at North Campus

Twenty'two students graduated from two programs at Pennsylvania College of Technology's North Campus near Wellsboro on Dec. 15.

Thirteen students graduated from the 12-month, noncredit practical nursing program and are eligible for employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, hospice and other health-care organizations. The graduates of this North Campus program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.

Nine students graduated from the first class of the medical assistant program, an eight-month, noncredit program that prepares students for employment in medical offices and clinics.

The medical assistant students completed 800 hours of classroom instruction followed by a 160-hour externship in physician offices in Tioga and Potter counties. The students will take an American Medical Technologists exam for certification as registered medical assistants.

Certificates for practical nursing were presented to Brittany Atkinson, Morris Run; Susan Bailey, Galeton; Robin Bradford, Mainesburg; Raquel Carleton, Tioga; Judith Hesse, Arnot; Melody Jeffers, Lawrenceville; Eleen Lalka, Middlebury Center; Kimberly McElroy, Mansfield; Barbara Manikowski, Covington; Carla Martin, Morris Run; Carla May, Mansfield; Eric Schewe, Millerton; and Christie Stanley, Blossburg.

Certificates for medical assistant were presented to April Berguson, Mansfield; Michelle Edwards, Mansfield; Angela Gee, Sabinsville; Joan Ghods, Mansfield; Debra Graber, Sabinsville; Robin Neel, Ulysses; Deanna Prouty, Wellsboro; Rosa Rouse, Middlebury Center; and Marlene Sayles, Westfield.

Certificates were presented by Larry L. Michael, executive director of workforce and economic development at Penn College.

The Lyle Goodreau Award for professionalism, personal growth and excellence in the nursing clinical area was presented to Carleton by Janie Hilfiger, chief nurse executive, Soldiers+Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro.

The Green Home Award for excellence in geriatric care was presented to Lalka by Jacqueline Werts, director of nursing at the Green Home.

The American Health Education Center award for determination and excellence in the medical assistant classroom and clinical settings was awarded to Berguson.

Seven practical nursing students received scholarships from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Nursing Education Grant Program: Bailey, Bradford, Carleton, Hesse, McElroy, May and Schewe. In addition, Carleton, McElroy and Schewe received scholarships from Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The scholarships are intended to aid student retention by assisting with tuition, review for licensure and nursing board testing fees.

The speaker for the event was N. Kim Johnson, a flight nurse for Geisinger Medical Center. A holiday reception for family and friends was held in the North Campus lounge following the graduation ceremony.

The next practical nursing class will begin in January. The next medical assistant class is planned for April.

To learn more, or to obtain a current list of classes, contact the North Campus at (570) 724-7703.