Plaza Medical Assisting students honored

Marie Croce, a 48-year-old mother and grandmother, always wanted to work in the medical field and recently decided it was time to start a new part of her life.
Croce was one of more than 80 students in Plaza College’s Medical Assisting program honored on Tuesday, December 18 at the inaugural candle lighting ceremony that inducted the students into the American Association of Medical Assistants.
“This is a very special night that symbolizes something that you are about to embark on, and you will hold with you for the rest of your life,” said Plaza College Academic Dean Marie Dolla.
Dr. Darryl Anderson, the Medical Program Director at Plaza, said that the candle lighting ceremony was a symbol of the students’ journey and accomplishment.
“The candle represents knowledge,” Dr. Anderson said. “When they started out [in the program] the candle was dark, and now the candle will be turned on because they have the knowledge.”
Plaza College Provost Charles Callahan III addressed the students during the ceremony and talked about how New York State health officials asked Plaza four years ago about the possibility of starting a program, and at first he was a little hesitant.
However, after researching the proposal, Plaza decided to institute the program that allows the students to receive a degree when they finish.
“You are on a career ladder,” Callahan said, when addressing the students. “We couldn’t be more proud of everyone.”
Currently, the students are at different points of their studies, which Dr. Anderson said is 60 credits and typically takes students about two years to complete.
During the ceremony, Plaza College advisory board member Dr. Richard Belli delivered the keynote address to the medical students and told them to remember the important lessons they are learning at Plaza.
“One of the most important things that you are going to bring to your career is your professionalism,” said guest speaker and Plaza advisory board member Dr. Richard Belli.
Croce, who expects to finish the program at the end of 2008 or the beginning of 2009, said that she could not be happier that she enrolled in the program.
“This is a great place to start,” Croce said. “It’s a great environment, and we’re like a family here.”