SANFORD - More than 300 people are the most recent graduates of the Central Carolina Community College's Economic and Community Development Medical Programs Department, which held its graduation on Dec. 11 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

The certificate areas include Central Sterile Processing, Electronic Health Records Specialist, EKG Technician, EKG Monitor Technician, Home Care Nurse Aide, Laboratory Assistant, Nurse Aide I and II, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, and Sleep Disorder Technician.

Graduation speaker Jen Duffany, of Harnett County, a Nurse Aide I graduate, stated her next step is to apply to the nursing program to become a Registered Nurse. "I am still scared to death every time I start a new class. But, every day I hear, 'You can do it! You are doing it!" My husband's support and encouragement have never wavered," she told her fellow graduates.

She added, "I am one of the very lucky ones that has an amazing support system. I am reminded every day how very blessed I am."

Another of the graduation speakers was Jessica White, of Chatham County, who received her Phlebotomy Technician certificate. "The whole process of drawing and collecting blood has always interested me," she said, noting that she, too, plans to continue her education and worked toward becoming an R.N. "I have thoroughly enjoyed this program, and would recommend it to anyone interested in getting started in the medical field."

As the graduates' names were called, they walked across the stage to receive their certificates from college President Dr. Bud Marchant.

As the ceremony was nearing an end, the graduates repeated the Health Occupations' Pledge:

"I solemnly do pledge to use my hands for the patient, the most important person in the hospital or health care setting.

"I understand that the patient is not an interruption to my work, but that the patient is my work.

"I understand the patient depends on me and that my reputation and job depend on the patient.

"I understand that the patient does me a favor when he or she calls; I am not doing a favor for the patient by answering the call.

"I understand that the patient is someone to comfort and help, not someone with whom to argue.

"I understand that the patient is not just a number but is flesh and blood and has feelings.

"I understand that I must fully justify the trust that the patient has in me."

Following the graduation, class members met their families and friends in the Civic Center foyer for hugs and more picture taking.

"It was awesome," Nurse Aide I graduate Latanya Nettles, of Chatham County, said of the graduation.

Ariel Wolff, of Harnett County, a Phlebotomy Technician graduate, noted, "It was fantastic - everything I've dreamed of since I was a little girl."

"It's an achieved goal," said Tashana Perez, of Lee County, who was a Pharmacy Technician graduate. "I'm 29 years old. I have three babies. It's time I be a role model for my babies."

"The thing about walking across the stage was it proved to my kids ... it's never too late to start a dream," said Nurse Aide I graduate Marybeth Norman, of Chatham County.

During the introduction of faculty, it was noted that Nurse Aide I and II instructor Elaine Nichols passed away earlier this month. "She will truly be missed and not forgotten," said Heike Johnson, CCCC Medical Programs Coordinator for Chatham County.

For more information about Continuing Education medial programs, call Lennie Stephenson, CCCC's Director of Continuing Education medical programs, at 910-814-8833 or email lstephenson@cccc.edu.