By Drew Tucker, communications assistant
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Fifty graduates from three allied health programs offered through Campbellsville University's Virginia Ponser Flanagan Technology Training Center were honored in a recent ceremony at Ransdell Chapel.
The graduates are from the following programs of study: clinical medical assistant, pharmacy technician and phlebotomy technician.
“Congratulations on completing your certificate,” Carol Sullivan, director of the Technology Training Center, said. “We are honored to have you here this evening to receive your pin.”
The ceremony began with the participants who completed the clinical medical assistant program. The graduates completed over 320 hours of training in clinical practice as a medical assistant.
“They are some of the most well rounded graduates we have in the allied health programs,” Sullivan said. “They can draw your blood like a phlebotomist; they can compare medications like a pharmacy technician; take dictation from a physician like a trained transcriptionist; and care for patients over all needs. Their knowledge is great and their skills are even greater.”
The 20 graduates from the program are: Amy Boils, Melissa Ford, Robin Luenebrink, Jaime Phelps, Jessika Rash, Stacy Reynolds, Shelby Warner and Ashley Willis, all from Campbellsville, Ky.; Debra Bryant and Elizabeth Mackay from Columbia, Ky.; and Danielle Patrick and Melissa Rowe from Greensburg, Ky.
Megan Craig and Amanda Washington from Lebanon, Ky.; Nicole Deering and Sheila Wimsatt from Springfield, Ky.; Lori Alvizo of Russell Springs, Ky.; Hannah Andrews of New Hope Ky.; Corey Kaufman of Munfordville, Ky.; and Mary “Molly” Swords of Elizabethtown, Ky.
Presenting the pins were Allied Health CMA Instructors Millie Cheser and Melissa Mattingly.
Sullivan continued with the participants who completed the pharmacy technician program. “The graduates completed a 150-hour course consisting of learning over 200 drugs, medical abbreviations, pharmacy operations, dosage calculations and much more. They have also passed the pharmacy technician certification board exam and can now proudly display their credentials as CPHT.”
The four graduates from the program are: Brittany Claywell and Lisa Risher, both of Campbellsville, Ky.; Mary Wood of Greensburg, Ky. and Charles Miller of Upton, Ky.
Presenting the pins was Allied Health Facilitator Christie Glasscock.
Sullivan said phlebotomy technicians have completed at least 125 hours of training in the phlebotomy field.
“What's more impressive is that they have had at least 100 hours of clinical experience and have performed phlebotomy or stuck over 100 patients during their training. All of which I'm sure were successful. Phlebotomists require skill and compassion.”
The 26 graduates from the program are: Sonya Asher and Nicole Milby, both of Campbellsville, Ky.; Ashely Collado, Hannah Sallee and Ginni Thompson of Hodgenville, Ky., and Stephanie Bishop and Justine Dale, both of Greensburg, Ky.
Tiffany Cruse and Kayla Hager of Sonora, Ky.; Brittany Enlow and Stephanie Jensen, both of Magnolia, Ky.; Mark Frank and Beth Frost, both of Columbia, Ky.; Alicia Clark and JoAnn Maxey of Munfordville, Ky.;
Amanda Bell of Park City, Ky.; Caleb Bowers of Upton, Ky.; Tiffany Campbell of Eastview, Ky.; Tabatha Capps of Summer Shade, Ky.; Heather Cecil of New Haven, Ky.; Michelle Haste of Russell Springs, Ky.; Nicole Jones of Glasgow, Ky.; Nicole Naseef of Hardyville, Ky.; Amanda Riley of Springfield, Ky.; Arlene Underwood of Buffalo, Ky. and Kelsey Walters of Elizabethtown, Ky.
Presenting the pins was Phlebotomy Instructor Debbie Glasscock.
This was the third annual Allied Health Pinning Ceremony. Nearly 250 individuals have completed allied health programs since its creation.
Sullivan gave a brief history on the Virginia Ponser Flanagan Technology Training Center, starting with its inception after Fruit of the Loom and Batesville Casket Company announced closures.
“CU partnered with Campbellsville community to develop a plan for training and jobs,” she said.
Together with the help of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky.), CU was able to secure a $2.5 million grant to create the Technology Training Center. Programming over the years has included: computer training, community education, continuing education, business and industry training, soft skills training, GED testing, Kids College, Fantastic Fridays, the state registered nursing program, Allied Health certificates and the CU Cosmetology Program.
“Over 13,000 people since 2000 have come through Technology Training Center, the CU development center on Nancy Cox Drive or the CU Brockman Center in Hodgenville,” she said.
The ceremony ended with a prayer from Daran Kennon, industrial education coordinator.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.