Day in the Life of…a Medical Assistant
It’s 8 a.m., and there is a quiet inside Quality Women’s Care at Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines. Ana Herrera, decked in blue scrubs, prepares an examining room inside the OB/GYN (Obstetrics and Gynecology) office for an incoming patient. She hangs up a gown and lays out instruments the doctor will use for a Pap smear.
A colposcopy also is scheduled, so she must set up an area with iodine, tubes and necessary instruments for the biopsy of another patient. Herrera, a graduate from the medical assisting certificate program at Broward College, anticipates a busy day right up until 5 p.m., but the mother of three wouldn’t have it any other way, welcoming those sitting in the waiting room with a smile.
A Medical Assistant is a Key Player
Herrera turned an internship into a full-time job at the OB/GYN office. There she plays a pivotal role when it comes to patient care. As a medical assistant Herrera is one of the first points of contacts with the patients, so she tries to ease concerns and helps them feel comfortable with her friendly face. This isn’t always easy considering she is often the one poking them and taking their blood.
Speaking of taking blood, she is responsible for more than just emotional support to patients including taking blood, performing injections on a regular basis, handling lab ordering on behalf of the doctors, helping perform in-office procedures, and even sending out prescriptions to the pharmacy. Herrera will also provide scripts for mammograms and ultrasounds that go to the hospital and radiology.
With all the exciting parts of her job, she does warn those interested in pursuing the occupation to be ready to do paperwork...lots of paperwork. Herrera is thankful that documents including charts are easily accessible electronically.
Possibilities Are Endless
There are many avenues one can take in medical assisting, and OB/GYN among them. Therefore, specific responsibilities may vary. Herrera felt confident to perform her job functions thanks to the foundation and 
education she received at Broward College.
“It’s well-rounded at BC, so once you come out into the job market, you are ready,” she said. “My tip would be to remain flexible and open to learn the new developments in the field. Broward College teaches you the basics, but it’s important to learn as much as you can once you enter a specialty. Other than that, you will be prepared for a rewarding career.”
What do you do if you’re interested?
As you can tell, medical assistants play a crucial part of the daily operations of healthcare facilities. There also is a growing need to fill positions due to an aging population and continual technological advances. So if Herrera’s recount gets you excited about medical assisting, find out more about the Broward College program, which can be completed in only 10 months.
The Job Shadow tool within the Career Center website is a great tool to explore hundreds of career videos and more.
Disabled Student Gets Help from an Unlikely Source
A donated wheelchair has made all the difference for Robert Grimm, who was given a second chance to complete his bachelor’s degree program in Exceptional Student Education through the help of another student.
Grimm was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as a child, but it never stopped him from achieving his goals. Currently in the final stages of his bachelor’s in the Teacher Education Program, specializing in
Exceptional Student Education (ESE), Grimm faced new obstacles. The same disability which inspired him to pursue teaching could stand in the way of his dream when he realized that having to balance himself while using crutches meant his hands were not free for writing on the board or using classroom equipment. It was also hindering his mobility and limiting his interaction with students. He needed a wheelchair.
Grimm embraced the idea, but was worried because he didn’t have the money to purchase a wheelchair and this was his second attempt at completing his student-teaching. They reached out to the College to see if there was any form of assistance they could provide.
Robyn Klein, placement coordinator for the Teacher Education Program, contacted the Disabilities Services Office. Sarahis Vega, disabilities services coordinator explained that the office could try to help but that it may take some time for them to find a wheelchair. That’s when Edwin Nieves, entered the picture.
Nieves was in the Disabilities Services office that morning during the telephone exchange between Vega and Klein. He was there as a matter of routine – wanting to follow-up on an issue related to his own disability. A veteran student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in IT, he has a service-connected disability related to his knees.
“I have had to deal with the challenge with my knees for 40 years so I know the importance of a wheelchair and it was just natural to want to help,” he said.
He sprang into action. “I can help,” he told Vega indicating he had heard the concerns. “Just give me a week or so.”
The cost of the wheelchair was funded by Nieves, and immediately, his good deed began to pay off. When he told the owner of the A to Z Thrift Stores the reason he was purchasing the wheelchair, they offered him an additional discount.
Within a week Grimm had his wheelchair, and the equipment has made his classroom experience with the students much easier. Rob is hopeful he will complete his degree this semester, thanks to Nieves. “We’ve never met but I just want to say thank you. Your assistance has forever changed my life.”
“…and ours,” adds Lallance, who had high praises for Grimm’s performance in the classroom. “He is doing an outstanding job with his student-teaching, in all areas. The students and staff love him. Mr. Grimm is truly an inspiration, and I am humbled by him, every day!”
If you want to join Grimm in a rewarding profession like teaching, check out the courses offered by our Education Pathway.
Read more about this inspiring story here: Sun Sentinel Story
Hot Jobs for 2017 and How to Land One
As the economy grows more competitive, it’s important to choose a career that’s not only in demand but offers paths to professional growth and advancement. Don’t know where to start? Well, the first thing to do is identify professions that are in high demand, determine if it’s a field which you will enjoy and research the requirements. There are a range of prospects across several industries, but the business sector in South Florida continues to show the most growth through to 2025.
Research done by the College has identified five positions which will be in high demand in the region. Here’s the list:
- Marketing Specialist: This field shows the greatest growth, more than 26 percent. What does the career entail? Marketing specialists do a lot of research on the industries to which they are employed. They gather information, assess trends, determine potential sales for products and services, and create campaigns to promote them. Most individuals in this field earn an average hourly wage of $26.
- Financial Analysts and Advisors: This career tops the list in earnings. Employees in this field make around $33 per hour with a 13 percent growth forecasted over the next eight years. Financial analysts and advisors work with banks and other companies in the investment industry to provide risk assessment and profitability options.
- Credit Analyst: This is another profession critical to the financial industry. With hourly wages of $30 per hour, credit analysts assess the statements and spending history of individuals and corporations to determine the risk involved in lending them money. They also prepare reports with credit information for use in decision making. The demand for employees in this field is expected to increase by just under seven percent.
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants: If you’re not one for figures, here’s a non-finance position that will be in high demand over the next eight years. These professionals assist lawyers and the courts by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent in order to formulate a defense or prosecution and initiate legal action. The current hourly income is just over $25 per hour, and the number of positions are expected to grow by more than 21 percent.
- Insurance Sales Agents: We’re all familiar with insurance agents. They sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of coverage. With a competitive salary of over $25 per hour the field is one worth exploring, especially given that there will be an increased need of almost 9 percent through 2025.
Data source: EMSI for Miami Dade-Broward-Palm Beach MSA
Whether you’re already in the business pathway or want to know more about these options, check out the business programming map. If you need further guidance, make an appointment to speak to one of our career coaches.
The Science of Love
It’s that time of year when the smell of roses fills the air, heart-shaped chocolates are everywhere, and we scamper to find that perfect gift. In the excitement of celebrating Valentine’s Day have you ever wondered how love really works?
It’s more than just emotions, as “Love Biologist” Dawn Maslar (Link: http://dawnmaslar.com/) argued during her engaging discussion last week at the Willis Holcombe Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Maslar, a former adjunct biology professor at Broward College, is the author of the book “Men Chase - Women Choose”.
During the talk, she explored the less talked about angle of love – the brain. The three-hour event focused on how the brain reacts when two people first meet, start to date, fall in love, and then move 
on to a more passionate, lifelong love. The TEDx speaker of “How Your Brain Falls in Love” (Link: http://dawnmaslar.com/1-love-expert/tedx-how-your-brain-falls-in-love/), explained to a packed audience how the mind reacts to behaviors. “It’s a chemical reaction that affects the brain. The real boss behind attraction is your brain, which runs through a very quick, very complex series of calculations when assessing a potential partner.”
Love Turns Your Brain to Mush
So what happens to your brain when you’re in love? Researchers at Linden University used fMRI, a neuroimaging procedure using MRI technology that measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow, to show that people lose cognitive ability when they fall in love. That’s why they say love is blind.
Illustrating with a play dough version of the brain and a scalpel, Maslar slowly dissected the parts of the brain which are made inactive or slowed down when someone falls in love. A major part that stops working is the amygdala, the section that sounds the alarm that something is wrong. She pointed out that this is the reason individuals stay in relationships, even when there are warning signs that things are not well with their partner’s character or personality.
The Science of Love Allows You to Enhance Your Attraction
Using participants for interactive demonstrations, the “Love Biologist” illustrated the four different stages of love and the part of the brain is engaged.
- Attraction
- Dating
- Falling in Love
- True Love
Love, from the perspective of the brain, is not all bad. If you’re having a hard time finding a partner, there are things you can do to make others more drawn to you. Much to the amusement of the audience, Maslar provided tips to men and women on how to enhance their attractiveness:
- Chicks Dig Manly Men - For men, it’s less about the smile and more about how you present yourself. For instance, if you’re taking a picture show your profile from the left side. If you’re looking for props, forget gym equipment and add a guitar! Seriously, it’s less about the looks and more about what initiates a woman’s brain.
- Say Cheese! - For the ladies, the smile is the most captivating factor for men. Couple that megawatt smile with sexually attractive colors, like red, and you’ll win his mind.
If the whole science of love theory has appealed to your academic senses, take a look into our biology program (Link:http://www.broward.edu/academics/programs/Program%20Maps%2020162017/STEM/Biology_12_12_6FINAL.pdf).
Want to know more? Grab a copy at Barnes and Nobles or retailers online.
Celebrate Black History Month at Broward College
Black History Month has been observed for more than 40 years in the United States, celebrating and honoring African American figures from all walks of life who have impacted our world. No matter what campus you are on, there are numerous free events throughout February:
Must-See Events
Barrington Irving Talk
Tuesday, February 14, 2 p.m.
Building 3, Room 100
In 2007, then 23-year-old Captain Barrington Irving was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the youngest person and first black pilot to fly solo around the world. He has traveled to 50 countries and conducted more than 30 STEM expeditions. Barrington developed a “Flying Classroom”, curriculum which transforms the way students learn STEM. He created the nonprofit Experience Aviation offering hands-on STEM-based programs and career guidance to middle and high school students in Florida, Georgia and Texas.
Rev. Sharon Washington Risher Talk
Monday, February 27, 11 a.m.
Building 3, Room 100
Rev. Sharon Washington Risher was thrust into the limelight after the Charleston shooting at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in June 2015. It’s where she served as associate pastor for congressional care, preached and led the women’s ministries of the church. Since losing her mother and eight others in the tragedy, Risher has been outspoken about gun laws and national spokesperson for advocacy groups such as Everytown and Moms Demand Gun Sense. She also has appeared on CNN and been interviewed by a number of other media outlets. For more information on the below listings, visit here.
If You’re in the Area, Check Out
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus
• Festival of Icons
Wednesday, February 8, 11 a.m.
Building 19, Patio
• Author of Black Miami
Wednesday, February 15, 1 p.m.
Building 3, Room 117
• Journey of the Drums
Wednesday, February 22, 12 p.m.
Building 19, Patio
Judson A. Samuels South Campus
• “I and I: The Politics of Self-Love” Opening Reception
Wednesday, February 15, 4 p.m.
Art Gallery
• “Space Apes” performed by Joshua Jean-Baptiste
Thursday, February 16, 7:30 p.m.
Performing and Cultural Arts Theatre (PCAT)
North Campus
• Black History Month Movie Series
Monday to Thursday, February 6 to 9
11 a.m. 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Building 46, Room 126 (Coffeehouse)
• Drum Circle
Tuesday, February 21, 12:30 p.m.
Building 46, Room 152
• Black History Month Luncheon
Tuesday, February 28, 12:30 p.m.
Building 46, Room 152
Willis Holcombe Center in Downtown Fort Lauderdale
• Malcom X Panel
Tuesday, February 21, 12:30 p.m.
Building 33, Room 1110a
• Journey of the Drums
Thursday, February 23, 12 p.m.
College Plaza
New Media Communication Degree Announced
Broward College recently announced it will offer an Associate of Science degree in New Media Communication. The program will address the increasing demand among media agencies and local businesses for employees equipped with the latest technical, creative and evaluative knowledge needed to manage large and small scale communication. Classes will begin in fall of 2017.
The New Media Communication Degree will move students beyond traditional media by broadening the scope of communication to incorporate a range of platforms and technical devices including smart phones, robots, social networking sites, mobile and internet applications. The new program makes Broward College a local leader in the communication field by being the only college in the state to offer a New Media Communication degree.
“Few higher education institutions appreciate the demand among contemporary media communication businesses or organizations for employees equipped with alternative writing approaches, knowledge of digital formats, capacity for nonlinear storytelling, and an appreciation of how culture changes and influences the development and management of communication platforms,” said Henry Mack, associate dean of Academic Affairs for the Arts, Humanities, Communication and Design programs at Broward College.
To ensure the degree is applicable to current trends in the communication field, the College worked closely with industry partners to develop the program structure. In addition to providing students with the skills to use current and emerging technologies for storytelling, the degree also has embedded humanities-based competencies which will focus on creating communication professionals who are “ethically minded,” empathetic, excellent writers, with the kinds of skills necessary to emerge as a confident, savvy communication leader. Other courses include business communication, computer mediated communication, research and design. The program also has an internship component where students will work directly with local media industry employers in order to perfect their particular communication skill-set.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2017 semester. For more information, please visit Broward.edu/newmediacommunication or contact Henry Mack, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at [email protected].
Beauty Initiative Hosts Event at Broward College to Provide Hygiene Products for Homeless
A little bit of kindness can go a long way.
More than 50 volunteers found that out on a recent Saturday when they helped the Beauty Initiative fill bags of hygiene products on Central Campus.
The packing party prepared 353 bags from a collection of more than 10,000 sanitary donations for women in need throughout the community. These bags were distributed in the South Florida area and were given to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and Police Homeless Task Force. The officers keep the bags handy when on patrol and have them at their disposal when they identify someone who can use feminine hygiene and beauty products.
Within one hour the assembly line had completed a majority of the project. The volunteers worked in tandem, organizing the collection of products and putting them in each bag. Spirits were high as they knew their efforts were making a difference.
Ashley Eubanks, who founded the Beauty Initiative in April, was happy to host the gathering for a cause at Broward College. Sponsor organizations were generous enough to contribute as well. Among them was Clean the World, which lent a helping hand by donating 500 soaps, and students from Phi Theta Kappa stopped in to offer cake to the hard-working helpers.
“I can't begin to express my gratitude to the entire Broward College staff for allowing us to host our packing party. Just when we thought we would have to cancel the event…the College made it possible,” Eubanks said.
Eubanks hopes to continue wo
rking with Broward College as she continues to build a network of partners for future drives and packing events.
Another initiative the nonprofit focuses on is teaching beauty, etiquette and self-care. This includes holding workshops taught by beauty professionals for school age girls to build self-esteem and feel good about themselves. For more information on the organization or to help, visit http://beautyinitiativeinc.org/.
Faculty Member Looks Back at Trip to Annual National Collegiate Honors Council Conference
Tai Houser, PhD., recently ventured to the “Emerald City” of Seattle to present at the annual National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Conference. The English professor and Broward College Faculty Senate President was privileged to represent Broward College, along with others from the institution. The conference brings together directors, deans, faculty, staff and students for an exchange of ideas.
Here Houser looks back on his memorable experience:
“For academics, as for other professionals, attending conferences is a vital part of our work. It allows us to engage with other experts, energize our spirits, and explore the nuances of our disciplinary, pedagogical, and professional passions. I was pleased to represent Broward College and the Robert ‘Bob’ Elmore Honors College at the annual meeting of the National Collegiate Honors Council. This is one of my favorite conferences and I’ve been attending, first as Honors director and currently as Honors faculty, for several years.
Working with colleagues from James Madison University and Northern Virginia Community College, I discussed best practices in transfer and articulation between two-year and four-year programs. The session was well attended.
Among the 50 or so guests was the current Honors Director, Quakish Liner, and our previous Honors Director, Dr. Sheila Jones.
How fun to have all three of us in the same room! The audience was especially excited to hear about how our ‘LINK to FAU’ program has students working with FAU advisors while attending Broward College, and how our FIU relationship allows students to have an FIU ID in order to access services at the university. Some younger program directors were eager to implement their own version of our practice of helping Honors students transfer to four-year programs by sending letters of recommendation from the Honors director along with the student application — and the success we see in that letter helping students secure scholarships.
Conferences are also about learning. In fact, it’s the best way to keep up with the state of our art. I was able to attend some exciting sessions and learn about the explosion of Honors programs happening outside of the United States, specifically in Europe, and the increasing practice of offering Honors study abroad programs. Clearly, the Broward College Robert ‘Bob’ Elmore Honors College was at the forefront of offering Honors abroad. I was able to share how I worked with our international partners to offer Honors certificates to our students earning a degree from the College in South America and Asia. And many of our college partners were excited to learn about our spring 
break study abroad trip for Honors college students.
Because NCHC is such a large organization, the meeting requires the resources offered by a large city. This year, Seattle proved to be just as engaging as the conference. From the City as Text experience offered by NCHC, to the famous Pike Place Market, Space Needle, museums, and fine restaurants, we were never without options of things to do in the evenings. Of course, I saw Mount Rainier from the Space Needle, enjoyed an amazing Mediterranean-style dinner with the Broward College crew at Sareavo Restaurant (complete with flaming cheese), and an intimate, locally sourced luncheon.
Throughout my years of activity in the NCHC, the Southern Regional Honors Council — where I sit on the Board of Directors — and among my colleagues at the College, I have formed some exciting professional and personal friendships. I know that I can call on people at major research institutions, folks at liberal arts colleges, friends from community colleges, and co-workers at Broward College to find a support network and engage in mutual academic pursuits to help students succeed at Broward and transfer into strong four-year institutions.”
For more information on the Honors College, visit Link to: http://www.broward.edu/academics/honors/Pages/default.aspx.