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SANFORD - "Huge opportunities" in patient care await those who received certificates in various healthcare fields, according to Kathryn Melvin, of Harnett County.

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Melvin was one of the student speakers at Central Carolina Community College's Continuing Education Department Medical Programs graduation, held Dec.14 in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Melvin received her Nurse Aide I Certificate.

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Hundreds of students in CCCC's service area of Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties - and beyond - agree with Melvin's optimism on the future of careers in healthcare. More than 400 certificates were awarded at the graduation, with some of the graduates earning certificates in more than one area.

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The graduation was the largest for Continuing Education medical programs that the college has ever had. More than 200 students attended the graduation, along with approximately 1,100 friends and family, filling the Civic Center main hall.

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Students received certificates in Nurse Aide I and II, phlebotomy technician, pharmacy technician, EKG technician and EKG monitor technician, laboratory assistant, medication technician, direct care basics, central sterile processing technician, direct care basics, healthcare billing and coding specialist, and patient care technician.

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"The demand for well-trained healthcare workers is growing, particularly with the new 'medical corridor' expanding along Highway 421 in Harnett County," said CCCC President Bud Marchant. "CCCC is committed to providing much of the skilled workforce that will help to provide quality medical care in our area."

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As the large audience cheered and whistled, the proud graduates crossed the stage to receive their certificates from Marchant and a hug from a teacher. The college's medical program coordinators for Chatham, Harnett and Lee pinned a Nurse Aide pin on each of those graduates' scrubs as the students smiled with pride and a sense of accomplishment.

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"I'm thankful for this opportunity," said Annette Keyser, the graduation speaker from Lee County. "Now, I can take care of my patients as well as I want to."

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Keyser, who is a Certified Nurse Aide, received her Patient Care Technician Certificate at the graduation.

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Debbie Blice, the student speaker from Chatham, was unable to attend the graduation, so Carl Thompson, CCCC Continuing Education director in Chatham, delivered her talk.

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Blice had been a public school music teacher for 30 years. When she retired, she felt there was more for her to do. She learned about the pharmacy technician program at CCCC and discovered that was what she wanted to do as her second career.

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"CCCC has opened doors for all of us as students tonight," she said in her talk, noting the education they received would have a far-reaching impact as they go out and serve patients.

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Armed with the certificates testifying to their newly acquired skills, the graduates left the ceremony, eager to go directly into the workforce or to continue their schooling.

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"It's amazing," said Brittany Bradford, of Lee County. "I'm one step closer to becoming a nurse - I've already been accepted in CCCC's program for the fall. I'm very excited."

Lee graduates Brittany Bradford (left) and sister Kaitlyn Patterson, both of Sanford, are all smiles after receiving Nurse Aide I certificates at the Dec. 13 Continuing Education Medical Programs graduation exercises at Central Carolina Community College. Looking on is Patterson's daughter, Faith. Bradford has already been accepted to the college's nursing program. Patterson plans to continue her education to become a practical nurse. The graduation was the largest Con Ed Medical Programs graduation the college has ever had, with more than 200 students and approximately 1,100 friends and family filling the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center's main hall.

Lee graduates Annette Keyser, of Lee County, was one of the speakers at Central Carolina Community College's Continuing Education Medical Programs Graduation Dec. 13 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Keyser received her Patient Care Technician certificate. The graduation was the largest Con Ed Medical Programs graduation the college has ever had, with more than 200 students and approximately 1,100 friends and family filling the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center's main hall.

Harnett graduates Jasmine Thomas (right), of Lillington, gets a congratulatory hug from her sister, Dominique Trammell, following the Continuing Education Medical Programs graduation exercises Dec. 13 at Central Carolina Community College. Thomas received her Nurse Aide I certificate and plans to continue her education in the healthcare field. The graduation was the largest Con Ed Medical Programs graduation the college has ever had, with more than 200 students and approximately 1,100 friends and family filling the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center's main hall.

Kathryn Melvin (left), of Harnett County, receives her Nurse Aide I Certificate from Central Carolina Community College President Bud Marchant during the college's Continuing Education Medical Programs Graduation Dec. 13 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Melvin was one the student speakers at the event. She told of the downward spiral she had experienced earlier in her life through drugs and alcohol and encouraged the graduating students to stay on the right path. The graduation was the largest Con Ed Medical Programs graduation the college has ever had, with more than 200 students and approximately 1,100 friends and family filling the Civic Center's main hall.

Chatham graduate LaFayette Williams, of Chatham County, receives his Phlebotomy Certificate from Central Carolina Community College President Bud Marchant during the college's Continuing Education Medical Programs Graduation Dec. 13 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. The graduation was the largest Con Ed Medical Programs graduation the college has ever had, with more than 200 students and approximately 1,100 friends and family filling the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center's main hall.