Albany Technical College recognizes 70 Healthcare Graduates for Fall 2020

ALBANY, GA – There are 70 Healthcare related graduates this fall at Albany Technical College in the following fields: Health Information Technology, Radiologic Technology, Pharmacy Technology, Surgical Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Practical Nursing. Many of these students will begin work in the community here in Southwest Georgia, and some will continue their path to a four-year degree.

A good portion of these students are usually recognized publicly by being capped and pinned in the following programs: Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Surgical Technology, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. Because of COVID-19 restrictions that have been set in place for safety in public spaces over the past few months, these formal ceremonies did not take place.

Lori Day, Program Chair/Instructor, Surgical Technology said " I am super proud of this group for overcoming all the challenges they were faced with this year. The students had to take courses online and had limited lab time, but with all their hard work and dedication, they were still able to complete all the requirements to graduate in December. The students completed all didactic work and scrubbed over 120 surgical cases and are now eligible to sit for their national certification boards next month. Several of the students have accepted job offers at Phoebe Putney and will enter the workforce in January. I know these students will do great things in their future as they have proven they can rise above any obstacle that is placed before them."

Ivey Spears, Chair/Instructor for Dental Assisting, said, “This group has faced many hurdles and has overcome them with positive attitudes. I am extremely proud of their hard work and dedication through this uncertain time of dealing with Covid-19. I know this group will go on to do great things in the world of dentistry and beyond.”

Chair/Instructor for Practical Nursing, Teresa Darity, stated, “These ladies have done well and persevered. I see nothing but good things ahead of them, and I am so proud of them. It has been different, but you all made it.”

These graduates have bright futures once they complete a few more tests. The Practical Nursing students will go on to take the NCLEX Exam and get into their careers. Medical Assistance will become Certified Medical Assistance through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Some of the medical graduates have already been hired at various offices in Albany.

Tracie Naylor-Griffin, Chair/Instructor for the Paramedicine Program, “This group rose to the challenge of having 100% online instruction with limited labs on campus and were able to complete all program requirements on time. They completed 150 hours of clinical instruction during the pandemic. These hours were divided between the Emergency Center and EMS Field Time. This group finished the requirements for their EMT license during the pandemic. They will be taking their National Registry Exams at the next level, Advanced EMT, in December 2020. We are extremely proud of our graduates!”

With the fall 2020 semester that began August 20, any campus-based instruction ended Tuesday, November 24, with the remainder of the semester — including final examinations — being delivered remotely and online when classes resume after Thanksgiving break on November 30. Courses with lab component requirements conducted limited lab plans for students up to the Thanksgiving break (November 24 ‒ 27, 2020).

With the exception of Commercial Truck Driving and Healthcare students in clinical rotations, all courses will convert to 100% online from November 30 until December 14, 2020. The last day of class for the fall semester will be December 14 with final exams on December 15.

Spring Semester classes for Albany Technical College begin Thursday, January 7, 2021.