Plaza College: The Alumni Profiles

SUMMER 2010

Alumni Profiles

Medical Assisting Alumni Earn Prestigious Certification


Gallery

Seven Plaza College Medical Assisting Alumni can now add another honor to their already sterling resumes.

2009 Plaza College graduates Elizabeth Cruz-Ringer, Marylen Davis, Alicia Edwards, Rebecca Green, Sharon Loaknauth, Maria Mayer, and Alba Perez recently passed the Certified Medical Assisting Exam, sponsored by AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants).

"I’m so proud of our first certified graduates. Passing this exam sets them apart from the rest of the M.A’s with whom they’ll be competing for jobs. I’m excited that they took the challenge because it speaks to the quality of the program, and the faculty that taught them well," Academic Dean Marie Dolla said.

Preparation for the test begins in the M.A. students’ final semesters at Plaza College, during their Externship class.

"Definitely the CMA review we did in our Externship Class prepared me the most for the CMA exam. We went over a lot of different materials and were taught how to eliminate answers that did not make any sense, thereby leaving two possible choices," Ms. Loaknauth said.

However, such a demanding test required the alumni to prepare intensely outside the classroom as well.

"I practiced the questions in the book and the CD that we used in class, but I knew it was not going to be enough, so I reviewed the books we used for others classes, mainly Clinical Procedures and Applications. When I studied, I would do so for many hours, maybe two or three times a week. Dr. Anderson's advice on what to focus on and what to remember also helped me a lot," Ms. Perez said.

Graduates are encouraged to take the test as soon as they graduate, for the exam tests their mastery of many classes at Plaza, from "Law and Ethics" to "Clinical Procedures" and "Laboratory Procedures."

"The experience of taking the test was one of nervousness of course, and also a sense of being in a nightmare.I memorized 2500 CMA review questions and answers and only about ten questions came on the exam from the CMA review questions. I guessed the other 190 questions by trying to rationalize what made the most logical sense, based on what I learned in the classes I took at Plaza. Those classes really paid off!" Ms. Loaknauth said.

Once the graduates pass the exam, they are certified for five years. As long as they complete 60 hours of continuing education credits, they do not have to take the test again. The rewards of passing such a prestigious, challenging exam are numerous. "Now that I am certified, I can apply my knowledge at work. There will be a lot more job opportunities for me," Ms. Cruz-Ringer said.

"It's a plus to be a certified.I amconfident that I will find a jobif I really want to in the doctor's office. I am very grateful and thankful that I had very dedicated professors who truly gave their time and effort in helping us prepared for the CMA test. Thank you all!" Ms. Mayer said.

"I encourage all graduates to embrace this experience," Dean Dolla said.
Now that Plaza College will be offering a B.B.A. in Patient Information Management, maybe some of these highly successful graduates will consider walking into the classrooms of Bruson Hall once more.

"Now that I am certified I plan to start working and hopefully continue my studies, maybe at Plaza. So be on the look-out for me to become a student again," Ms. Loaknauth said.

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    2009 M.A. graduate Maria Mayer (r.) with Externship Class professor Denise Zerella.

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    Alba Perez.

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    2009 M.A. graduate Sharon Loaknauth poses with one of her many awards from the Awards Ceremony last spring.

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    2009 M.A. graduate Rebecca Green was honored with several awards for her achievement in her medical classes.

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    2009 M.A. graduate Elizabeth Cruz-Ringer was selected to speak on behalf of the graduates at the Awards Ceremony.