ELIZABETH CITY, NC – The ninth annual pinning ceremony for College of The Albemarle’s Medical Assisting graduates was held Wednesday evening at the Elizabeth City Campus. The graduates, hosting family and friends at a graduation ceremony, received their pins, participated in a candle ceremony, and recited the Medical Assisting Creed.

Robin D. Harris, COA’s Health Sciences Department Chair, provided the welcome message and Kristine Hoskins, President of the Medical Assisting Club at College of The Albemarle provided the congratulatory message.  Several AAMA members participated in the dedication to service candle ceremony, which represents the transition from student to professional.

The Stella B. Gallop Spirit of Medical Assisting Award was presented to Stephanie Reppy for her pride, involvement, initiative, empathy, honesty, generosity, trustworthiness, loyalty, and enthusiasm. The award is made to the student who best captures the spirit of the profession.  Academic awards were presented to Cynthia Coughlan for highest grade point average and to JoEllen Wade for a 3.5 grade point average or better.

The following students completed the medical assisting program this year:

Chowan County: Jessica Eley Jones
Currituck County: Cynthia Coughlan and JoEllen Wade
Dare County:  Kathy Drake
Gates County: Stephanie Reppy
Pasquotank County: Steffi Freeman, Brenda Gross, Kim Hassell, Tonisha Hayer, Kristine Hoskins, Krista Null, Dana Parker, and Ashley Turner
Perquimans County: Talitha Bunch
Tyrrell County:  Kaitlin Peachey and Audra Vanhorn

Photo Caption:  Front row, from left to right:  Kaitlin Peachey, Kristine Hoskins, JoEllen Wade, Dana Parker. Middle row, from left to right: Krista Null, Steffie Freeman, Brenda Gross, Talitha Bunch, Jessica Jones. Back row, from left to right:  Tonisha Hayer, Kim Hassell, Cynthia Coughlan, Stephanie Reppy, Audra Vanhorn, Ashley Turner.  Not pictured: Kathy Drake.