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12 Herzing University students ‘pinned’ to enter professions
By Kevin Milliken of Herzing University - Toledo
Tabitha Coleman’s mom sat in a church pew with an endless smile on her face.
Her 25-year old daughter was standing at the front of the sanctuary telling her personal story of perseverance and triumph. Tabitha’s mom had just made a stressful, three-hour drive north from Cincinnati in a snowstorm for this proud moment. The smile was one of satisfaction: her little girl is going places.
It’s a story of better late than never. Tabitha told the crowd her original plan was to attend college right out of high school. But life happened. Now the single mom of two young daughters, her dream was delayed, but not denied.
Tabitha juggled the demands of motherhood and household as she attended Herzing University-Toledo to earn an associate’s degree in Medical Assisting. After completing an externship at Fallen Timbers Family Physicians in Maumee, the medical practice hired Tabitha full-time. Tabitha will receive her diploma with her classmates during a graduation ceremony in May.
“The message is if I can do it, all of you can do it, too,” she said, smiling and pointing across the crowd.
Along the way, Tabitha became the inaugural president of a new student group at Herzing University-Toledo: the Herzing Allied Health Leadership Organization (HAHLO), a community-service based club for students in allied health programs.
Tabitha has been accepted into a biology-based, pre-med program to complete her bachelor’s degree on her way to achieving her original dream of becoming a doctor.
Tabitha was one of six graduates in Medical Assisting to attend a pinning ceremony Fri. evening, Dec. 6, at Glenwood Lutheran Church, 2545 Monroe St., marking their entry into the healthcare profession. Six other graduates in Medical Insurance Billing and Coding also took part in the ceremony. Many of the women share similar stories of raising kids, overcoming hardship, and perseverance in completing their education.
Other Medical Assisting graduates include: Heather Barrand, Tomica Gibson, Renee Harroun, Jamella Jones, Andrea Kizer, and Jodi Swartz. Medical Insurance Billing and Coding graduates include Nicole Bail, Cassandra Brown, Melissa Buzza, Misty Coffee, Christy Dumont, Angel Hosley, Ayrika Myles, Terry Robideau, and Holly Williams.
Margarita DeLeón of the Kaleidoscope Group, a diversity training and education firm, served as the keynote speaker. Ms. DeLeón founded the Diamante Awards partnership 25 years ago, a scholarship program for Latino students involving five public and private colleges and universities in Northwest Ohio, including Herzing University-Toledo.
Herzing University-Toledo will host a Holiday Open House on Wed., Dec. 11, 2013, 5-8 p.m. at its campus, 5212 Hill Ave. (Hill-Reynolds intersection). Photos with Santa, ornament decorating, cookies and hot chocolate will be among the family-friendly activities offered for kids and others, while parents and others have the opportunity to learn more about career-oriented study programs in Healthcare, Business, Computer Technology, and Criminal Justice/Homeland Security. Classes begin Jan. 6 for the spring semester.
Herzing University-Toledo will begin offering an evening Medical Assisting program in January for working adults who want to further their education but may not be able to fit daytime classes into their busy schedule. A third cohort of Surgical Technology also will be added in January, expanding the number of students who may participate in this limited, competitive program. The growing demand for healthcare workers is prompting the expansion of both programs.
Anyone interested in learning more can call 419.776.0300 or visit herzing.edu/toledo.
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