QVCC pg 2 11-17-11
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- Category: Past Issues
DANIELSON --- Two members of the Medical Assisting Educational Review Board visited Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) recently as the final step in the medical assisting program’s reaccreditation process. The visit resulted in a positive assessment with no deficiencies.
The year-long process included the preparation of a program self-study report, as well providing documentation of meeting all the standards as set by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The two site surveyors, Kathylynn Feld, medical assisting program director from Youngstown State University, and Connie Stack, assistant dean of health and public services at Alamance Community College, interviewed students, faculty, staff, and advisory board members during their two-day visit.
QVCC’s medical assisting program has two full-time faculty members, Cheri Goretti and Cindi Brassington, along with a dedicated staff of adjunct faculty. The program received initial accreditation status in 1995, and was reaccredited in 2002. This current reaccreditation should be for 10 years. Program accreditation is required so that medical assisting graduates are able to take the national certification exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the gold standard in medical assisting credentialing.
According to Cheri Goretti, QVCC medical assisting program coordinator, “The team was impressed with the cooperation of faculty and administration to deliver a great program to students. Collaboration of coursework among the faculty members creates a comprehensive curriculum that well prepares the students for externship and employment.” One of the surveyors stated, “It is very unusual to have a site visit without any deficiencies.” They were both impressed with the relationship that the college has with local health care facilities that are used as externship sites.