(Camden, NJ) – Officials from the Rowan University/Rutgers University-Camden Board of Governors (RURCBG) joined graduating members of this year’s Camden Medical Assistant Training program class. The program was launched in 2015 and provides tuition-free training to Camden area high school seniors who are interested in entering the medial field.
“We are incredibly excited to see another class of graduates celebrate their success and prepare for their next step into a fulfilling and prosperous career,” said the Joint Board’s Chief Executive Officer, Dana Redd. “These young people have been given an incredible opportunity to jump start their life and their career. They’ve been given a clear future and placed on a path that can lead them as far as they wish to continue.”
Graduates joined officials from the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, RURCBG, and keynote speaker Wendy Wesley-Tabor for dinner and a celebration of their accomplishments at the Governor James J. Florio Center for Public Service in Camden.
“I applaud these students for taking control of their lives and choosing a path that fit their unique set of strengths, goals, and interests,” said Superintendent of Camden City Schools, Katrina McCombs. “When our students are given the opportunity to succeed they are capable of incredible accomplishments.”
The Certified Medical Assistant Training program was launched in 2015 as a collaboration between the Coalition, the Camden City School District, and the RURCBG. Participating students complete apprenticeships at local hospitals and healthcare facilities while finishing high school, then complete a specially-designed medical assistant curriculum at Camden County College.
“Days like today show us what Camden youth are truly capable – becoming key drivers of Camden’s growth and development,” said Dan Rhoton Executive Director of Hopeworks. “It is an honor to be with our young people today.”
The program places an emphasis on population health and is a potential bridge to more advanced medical careers for those students who choose to pursue them. Graduates are guaranteed employment at participating hospitals in Camden that include Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Virtua Family Health Center, and Cooper University Healthcare.
“We hope that many of these incredible young minds will choose to give back to their community and assist the next generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps,” Redd said. “This program is filling a skills gap in the city’s healthcare industry, providing education and employment to the city’s youth, and most importantly, its putting residents in a position to support their community directly.”