Wayne Community College’s Medical Laboratory Technology and Medical Assisting 2025 graduates were honored at a pinning ceremony held to celebrate their achievements.
Graduates from each program received a pin to mark the end of their education at WCC and the beginning of their career in healthcare.
During the ceremony, WCC Medical Assisting Program Director and Instructor Heather Odom congratulated the graduates on successfully completing their program. “I speak for all of us when I say we have enjoyed being part of your educational journey,” she said.
WCC Medical Laboratory Technology Program Director Cole Eslyn noted that the graduates worked hard and made sacrifices to reach this milestone. “Completing one of these programs is not an easy task,” she said. “But all those sacrifices have been worth it.”
Eslyn encouraged the graduates to keep learning and sharpening their skills as they transition from students to healthcare professionals. “You have all chosen a career field that is inherently selfless,” she said. “Often, you will be putting the needs of the patient above your own. Do not lose your empathy or your thirst for knowledge.”
Awards were given to students who excelled in the programs’ academic and clinical components and demonstrated perseverance, passion, and professionalism. Each recipient was awarded with a plaque during the ceremony.
The Academic Excellence Award was earned by a student in each program with the highest grade point average upon completion of their program. Brandee McMillan received this award for Medical Assisting, and Ashlyn Disney was the recipient for Medical Laboratory Technology.
The Clinical Excellence Award was given to students who excelled during the clinical practicum portion of their program. This award went to Citlalli Guerrero-Pacheco for Medical Assisting and Damina Young for Medical Laboratory Technology.
The graduates and their programs, listed by city of residence, are
Dudley
Jennifer Ruiz-Baltazar – Medical Assisting
Elm City
Deja Dew – Medical Assisting
Goldsboro
Ashlyn Disney – Medical Laboratory Technology
Citlalli Guerrero-Pacheco – Medical Assisting
Brandee McMillan – Medical Assisting
Hellen Mullens – Medical Assisting
Ariana Rodriguez – Medical Assisting
Damina Young – Medical Laboratory Technology
Mount Olive
Olivia Hernandez-Fierros – Medical Assisting
Sammie Smith – Medical Laboratory Technology
Pikeville
Steanna Barnes – Medical Assisting
Danielle Gibbs – Medical Assisting
Princeton
Spencer Harrell – Medical Laboratory Technology
Rebekah Nichols – Medical Laboratory Technology
WCC’s Medical Laboratory Technology associate-degree program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Graduates may take the national certification examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
The College’s Medical Assisting program offers an associate degree or certificate, with graduates of the degree program becoming eligible to take the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Both are limited-admission programs. Learn more about Medical Laboratory Technology and Medical Assisting on WCC’s website.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.