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Stephanie Cruz: Prism Career Institute Review Medical Assistant Student with a “Steady Hand and Kind Heart”

Stephanie Cruz
Stephanie Cruz, Medical Assistant with Externship student at Prism Career Institute Cherry Hill campus
Students and staff at Prism Career Institute Cherry Hill campus know Medical Assistant with Externship student Stephanie Cruz because she is full of sunshine. Recently, Stephanie was nominated and selected by her instructors as Student of the Month for November, 2012. The award is given to Prism students who show exemplary grades, class attendance and overall attitude. Stephanie offered to be a student ambassador for her class and was the first student to donate to a homeless shelter drive the school was supporting.

There’s another example of why Stephanie received the honor.  Her car broke down just after starting training at Prism. Rather than give up, she walked to school for a time in all kinds of weather – hot, cold, rain, you name it.  “Sometimes people make excuses for not following through and I was determined not to make that happen,” Stephanie said. She’s since corrected her car challenge but the temporary misfortune certainly wasn’t the least part of why Stephanie became Student of the Month.

A Pennsauken resident, Stephanie is a 2010 graduate of LEAP Charter Academy, Camden, “I tried college after high school but it just wasn’t for me,” she said. “I was taking a lot of classes that were not in the medical area and it was taking too long. That led me to go to Prism where I can concentrate on medical classes.”

Stephanie’s mom and grandmother provided inspiration to go into the medical field and she often played nurse with them growing up using all of the pretend childhood medical supplies and tools; but that was just the beginning.  Sometimes she’d end up at the hospital with bumps and bruises where she got to know the doctors and nurses during visits and decided she wanted to spend her life helping people get better.

When it comes to the Medical Assistant training program at Prism Stephanie says she’s the type of learner that does well from 3 perspectives: seeing, hearing and reading.  She’s created her own study guide and goes over it constantly. “I would recommend Prism and tell others to go for the opportunity”, she added. “The teachers are very supportive and helpful and you get a great chance to get ready for a medical career.”

She’s currently preparing for National Healthcare Association (NHA) certification with Prism’s help.  One certification is in Phlebotomy, an area she loves.  And that’s where her “steady hand and kind heart” should come in very handy in Stephanie’s future.

Prism Career Institute Cherry Hill is located at 3 Executive Campus, just off Rt. 70 across from the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The West Atlantic City Campus is located in Bay Port One, 8025 Black Horse Pike. For more information about training programs, call 1-888-966-8146