Melfa, VA – Eastern Shore Community College held a Pinning Ceremony for Medical Assisting Certificate Program and Billing and Coding Careers Studies Certificate graduates August 9 in the college’s Workforce Development Center.  The guest speaker was ESCC President, Dr. Linda Thomas-Glover. 
The Medical Assisting graduating class included: Ann Bloedel, Naomi Denise Campbell, Lucinda M. Chandler, Kristin Ann Harlow, Lakeva Eureka Mason, Tiara Miller, Fatima Paola Obando, Lytanya A. Riley and Kathleen Turner.  Lytanya A. Riley was recognized for having the Highest GPA in the program

The three-semester Medical Assisting Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for work in a variety of health care settings.  Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to perform traditional medical assisting responsibilities including administration and clinical duties and to function as contributing members of the health care team. 

The Billing and Coding Program graduates were:  Mashonda E. Davis-Beckett, Danielle M. Brown and Robin J. Hogge.  Mashonda Davis-Beckett, had the highest GPA in the program.  The one-semester Billing and Coding Career Studies Certificate is designed to equip students for a position in a medical office preparing insurance and billing forms for patients and insurance companies. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Center Competency Test (NCCT) for Medical Coding and Billing Specialist for certification.

In additional to the classroom training, students had clinical experiences at a variety of local medical offices including: Atlantic Community Health Center, Bayside Rehabilitation Inc., Chincoteague Island Community Health Center, Eastern Shore Rural Health System Corporate Office, Franktown Community Health Center,

Onley Community Health Center, Purdue Wellness Center, Riverside Cape Charles Medical Center, Riverside Eastern Shore Physicians and Surgeons, Riverside Shore Cancer Center and Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital.

The college was designated as a National Center for Competency Testing site in 2013.  The NCCT is an independent certification organization that since 1989 has tested more than 380,000 individuals throughout the United States for competency in these roles: Medical Assistant, Insurance and Coding Specialist, and Medical Office Assistant.The test is designed to validate candidate competence, not only for the employers that hire them but also for the public good.   

The majority of the students will complete the competency test this fall.  Elizabeth Perry, Associate Professor and Program Advisor, commented, “We are especially proud of Fatima Obando, who boldly chose to sit for the examination in July because she was moving to Miami soon after pinning. She has been accepted to Barry University’s Cardiovascular Perfusion program and was awarded a $40,000 scholarship to pursue this educational opportunity. Fatima was successful on her National Examination and graduated with the distinction of a National Certified Medical Assistant.” 

Additional program information is available by contacting Elizabeth Perry at 757-789-1787. 

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 Eastern Shore Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution in the Virginia Community College System serving Accomack and Northampton Counties.  Founded in 1971, the College offers transfer education programs and career/technical/occupational degree and certificate training as well as professional education and workforce development.  ESCC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the SouthernAssociation of Colleges and Schools and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies; Janet Justis, Dean of Learning Resources, 29300 Lankford Highway, Melfa, VA  23410; 757-789-1723.