For more than 70 students at Veterans Memorial High School, the night of their pinning ceremony was not an ending, but one of the first accomplishments in their medical field journey.
The VMHS Health Science Academy offers multiple certifications through the classes Principles of Health Science, Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology. By the end of the year, the course helped produce six Certified Nurse Assistants, one Certified Registered Medical Assistant, 14 Certified Patient Care Technicians, 11 Pharmacy Technicians and 40 Certified Phlebotomy Technicians.
Veterans Memorial High School CTE Health Science Teacher Martha Medina works alongside her students to inspire and motivate them. She says she regularly reminds them of why they first decided to pursue the medical field.
“The Health Science Academy program offers our students opportunities to really find out what healthcare in the USA is all about,” Medina said. “We bring in former students already in the field as well as other former students who pursued other avenues but still use the knowledge they learned in the program in their current positions. I look for their interests and try to make the information relevant to their lives and that of their families.”
Arlin Lucio, who was recognized with a Phlebotomy and Patient Care Technician Certificate the night of the ceremony, is appreciative of the memories and experiences she collected during her four years in the program.
“I am most thankful for the unconditional support of my health science teachers, as they were always available with time and effort for myself and the rest of my peers,” she said.
Graduating Senior Karyme Lozano earned her certification as a Phlebotomy Technician. She said she was nervous as she walked across the stage to receive her pin, but was proud the culmination of her hard work and dedication was paying off.
“When they called my name, it took me a while to realize that it was in fact my name they were calling,” Lozano said. “I couldn’t believe it. After all my struggles with learning the coloring and sizing of needles and tubes, I had finally done it. I got up from my seat, and proudly walked across that stage.”
During the ceremony, Medina was sure to thank her students for their commitment to the program and sent them her well wishes on behalf of the program and district.
"Thank you for letting me share a moment in your lives,” Medina concluded.
Congratulations to the Class of 2022!