Recently, Virtua Health celebrated the inaugural graduating class of its Medical Assistant (MA) Program during a ceremony at the health system’s corporate headquarters in Marlton, N.J. The graduates will now join Virtua’s care teams, further strengthening the organization’s commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care.
The class represents a diverse group of learners, including recent high school graduates, individuals changing careers, and those seeking a strong foundation for a future in health care. Virtua launched the MA Program to advance its mission of shaping the next generation of the health care workforce through innovative, hands-on training. The program is designed to build robust care teams while creating accessible entry points into clinical careers.
Over the course of 10 weeks, students completed classroom instruction followed by a month-long clinical rotation before interviewing for positions within Virtua Medical Group (VMG) practices. Three graduates were already part of the Virtua family, previously working in security, the hospital gift shop, and Virtua’s Child Development Center.
The program cost is $1,665, which includes testing and scrubs. To support affordability and career growth, Virtua provides graduates with $500 after six months of employment and an additional $1,000 after one year.
“The MA Program provides our students with the opportunity to develop skills and secure employment,” said AnneMarie Palatnik, Virtua’s vice president of Clinical Learning & Research. “It can be a great career or a launching point for students who aspire to advance into nursing, allied health, or other medical professions. Either way, our graduates are well-trained and contributing members of our staff, providing excellent care to our patients.”
A Diverse Class is Available for Interviews:
This first cohort represents the diversity of the community, comprising recent graduates, career changers, and seasoned professionals seeking new ways to contribute to patient care.
“For Sydney Brooks, 28, the program is a stepping stone toward nursing. As a mother of a two-year-old, she found college daunting due to its high cost and the time commitment required. Sydney decided to apply to the MA program to explore whether a career in healthcare was the right path for her.
“I was so excited to be admitted to the Medical Assistant Program at Virtua,” Sydney said. “This is the first step toward my goal of becoming a registered nurse working in labor and delivery or pediatrics.”
Looking at the final chapter of her career, 73-year-old Patricia DeSantis entered the MA program because “not everybody is ready to retire”. After 23 years as a paramedic, Patricia retired early to care for her ailing mother. When she was ready to return to work, she realized that while she could no longer meet the physical demands of emergency response, her years of experience would be beneficial in caring for patients
“I am very proud of my work as a paramedic and am now really enjoying patient care,” she said. “It has been so gratifying to learn with a younger generation who are so smart and capable. We had a phenomenal class of students and instructors.”
About Virtua Health:
Virtua Health is an academic health system committed to helping the people of South Jersey be well, get well, and stay well by providing the complete spectrum of advanced, accessible, and trusted health care services. Virtua’s 16,000 colleagues provide tertiary care, including renowned cardiology and transplant programs, complemented by a community-based care portfolio. In addition to five hospitals, two satellite emergency departments, 42 ambulatory surgery centers, and more than 400 other locations, Virtua brings health services directly into communities through Hospital at Home, physical therapy and rehabilitation, mobile screenings, and its paramedic program.
Virtua has 3,000 affiliated doctors and other clinicians, and its specialties include cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health, orthopedics, advanced surgery, and maternity. Virtua is academically affiliated with Rowan University, leading research, innovation, and immersive education at the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University. Virtua is also affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics.
As a not-for-profit health system, Virtua is committed to the well-being of the community and provides innovative outreach programs that address social challenges affecting health, most notably the “Eat Well” food access initiative, which includes the unparalleled Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store. To help Virtua make a difference, visit GiveToVirtua.org.