The Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians has named Medical Assistant Yvon Farmer, of the Mannford Vision Clinic, 2019 Paraoptometric of the Year. 

Paraoptometrics are health professionals who assist optometric physicians in providing health care to patients. The annual award goes to a paraoptometric who displays outstanding professional leadership and service to patients.

As a native of Stillwater, Yvon worked in home health for over 20 years, and then spent time working in other industries before deciding it was time to return to the medical field. Upon making that life-changing decision, Yvon earned her Medical Assistant degree through Central Tech, Drumright, in 2012 and became a licensed phlebotomist. She performed her clinicals at Mannford Vision Clinic where she was offered a full-time job before she graduated. Yvon has now worked at the Mannford Vision Clinic for six years as a technician and compliance officer.

Yvon was also her grandmother’s caretaker and felt she wanted to provide that same type of love and care to others. “I want to take care of people and treat them all like they were my grandparents,” she said, adding that this is how she views every patient she cares for. “It’s a rewarding career,” she said. “Every day there is something new. You have your normal patients and maybe an emergency where you have the opportunity to sooth someone’s anxiety or calm them down.”

She also volunteers with Dr. Barbara Murphy at the Tulsa Day Center for the homeless, and volunteers with Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes program. Working at the homeless shelter has taught Yvon that homeless people cannot be stereotyped. She believes many people with addictions or mental health issues have nowhere to turn and cannot help themselves. The ability to survive is a heavy enough load. “Don’t judge the book by its cover or even the preface and table of contents,” she said. “That doesn’t give you the whole story or tell you how the book will end.” Her work at the shelter is 100-percent volunteer and she receives no compensation for it. Yvon said the look on a patients’ face after having their vision restored is reward enough.

With the goal of improving lives for others, Yvon enjoys serving as an advisory committee member for Central Tech and as a judge for Health Occupations Education Student Organization (HOSA) contests. When speaking to students, she encourages them to focus not only on progressing in their current area of study, but to also consider where their future career path can take them. She relates that half the time she barely had enough gas money to get to school, but she did not give up and is reaping the reward for her determination.

Yvon also shared that returning to a learning environment as an adult was accompanied by anxiety and insecurities that were hard to overcome.  Persistence despite her fears resulted in good grades and a deep appreciation for the education she was investing in out of her own pocket.

Yvon completed Medical Assisting with honors as part of the National Technical Honor Society and was also involved in the HOSA. “Central Tech gave me the opportunity to better myself in my career,” she said. “Tech was a vital part of giving me the tools I needed to succeed. My instructor, Mrs. Silkwood was able to teach what it’s like to work in the industry because or her experience in the field. Tech offered me a shorter time to a career and the ability to reach my goals. Remember… you can do it, and you’re not alone. Through class and HOSA you make many friends and contacts that support you through school and beyond.”

“Shortly after high school there was a lady who bagged groceries at a store near where I worked,” said Cole Reece, a Practical Nursing student at Central Tech.

“One day, on her way home from work, she was crossing the street and got hit by a car. Nobody could help and it seemed like it took forever for the fire department to show up; so I went out there and helped drag her out from under the car. I helped her out until the ambulance got there, and I thought ‘I could do this.’”

So, he did. Reece’s path to Central Tech hasn’t been a short one, but his start in the medical field came early when he joined the Army.

“My dad served in Vietnam and my grandfather served in World War II, so I kinda felt a sense of duty.”

Reece spent eight years in the Army as a medic and flight medic, and after deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he decided to separate from the military and pursue nursing. At the time, he was living in Tennessee and one of Central Tech’s veteran’s programs pushed him to make the move to Oklahoma.

“Central Tech takes part in a military medic to nursing program. They give you more credit for your military experience, so I decided to move out here this summer.”

He started the Practical Nursing program in September and, in a class with a 12 to 15-month average completion time, graduated in only five months. Part of that fast pace is due to his solid military foundation.

“It helps a lot in the clinical aspect. We got to treat and take care of a lot of different patients, from kids all the way up to geriatric patients.”

His pace is also driven by the help he gets in and out of the classroom.

“Everybody seems really willing to help you any chance they can. Whether it’s the admin with financial aid or teachers in the class; other programs I’ve seen are more sink-or-swim,” said Reece. “You know, I’m 36. But they give me the opportunity to get this done quicker and move on and get to my ultimate goal sooner.”

Even outside the nursing aspect of his education, Reece feels like he’s being prepared for a future after Central Tech.

“The last portion of our nursing program is building a resume and dealing with job interviews. Instead of just giving me a degree and kicking me out the door, all the steps are in place to put me into a job.”

Reece already has multiple job offers. His immediate plans are to work part-time as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) while continuing his education in registered nurse (RN) school.

Central Tech’s Surgical Technology program graduated seven students in ceremonies on Thursday, June 21 at the Drumright campus.  Last year’s graduates earned a 100% pass rate on their certification test from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Graduating students Leah Hutchcraft of Sapulpa, Savannah Dry of Bristow, Alicia Carr-Rains of Kiefer, Carly Thompson of Cushing, Morgynn McCurry of Cleveland, Cory Sadler of Ripley and Braylee Dean of Milfay.

Students in the Surgical Technology program graduate with knowledge and skills needed to function as a member of the surgical team, deliver patient care, and assume appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery. Central Tech students’ average starting salary is $17.10 an hour with the ability to increase as they gain experience. Congratulations to all our students!

To learn more about Central Tech’s Surg Tech program or other classes, please call 918-352-2551.

Students from Central Tech’s Drumright and Sapulpa campuses earned 17 team and individual awards in the HOSA-Future Health Professionals state competition on April 11 in Norman, OK. Among those 17 awards, four teams and individuals placed first, moving them on to the HOSA national competition later this year.

The three-day competition tested students on many aspects of the medical field, including prepared speaking, medical photography, and CPR/first aid. Students were also able to attend educational symposiums, workshops and other learning-based events.

HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA’s two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA’s goal is to encourage all health science instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSE-HOSA Partnership.

For more information about HOSA, visit hosa.org. To learn more about Central Tech, go to centraltech.edu.

On March 15, Central Tech celebrated 11 Practical Nursing students who graduated from the Drumright campus and are on their way to licensure.

The Central Tech Practical Nursing (PN) program is open to adults and is offered on both the Drumright and Sapulpa campuses. Students learn how to administer medications and treatments as prescribed under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed physician, or dentist.

For the past five years, students graduating from the Central Tech Practical Nursing program have achieved a 98.5 percent pass rate on their NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination) exams.

For more information about Central Tech Practical Nursing, please visit CentralTech.Edu or call Drumright 918.352.2551 or Sapulpa 918.224.9300.

Front Row (L-R): Shelbie Brown, Hominy; Lexi Huff, Yale; Tabitha Dandridge, Olive; Rebecca McCoy, Cushing. Middle Row: Alexa Bridge, Cushing; Tori Ingraham, Cushing; Porscha Brunt, Ripley. Back Row: Gabriela Delgado, Cleveland; Tricia Gosney, Stillwater; Sabrina Brown, Drumright; Porsha McCormick, Drumright.

With the growing need for health care providers and a substantial waiting list of potential students, Central Tech expanded the two-instructor 60-capacity Health Careers program on the Drumright campus to a four-teacher program, doubling the capacity for student enrollment.

After visiting a neighboring technology center that separated first and second year students, health instructors, Brandi Fisher and Reena Heilmann, approached their supervisors convinced that this format would allow them to increase lab opportunities, focus on specialized training and provide more individualized time with students.

“Due to a huge influx in retirements coupled with an increased demand for quality health care and health care provider replacements, more nurses are needed to fill the gap,” says Sarah Brien, health care instructor for Central Tech.

Today’s aging population has more people moving into primary care settings, leaving hospitals along with other medical institutions in need of additional health care providers who deliver specialized care. Consequently, job opportunities are expanding within the health care fields.

With the health careers program at Central Tech maintaining 100 percent capacity, an increasing need in the workforce, and approximately 70 prospective students on a waiting list, administration began planning the expansion.

Quickly juggling classroom space around campus, a suitable location was found and summer renovation began. Current instructors Fisher and Heilmann would teach the Advanced Health Careers class, open to second year students, high school seniors, and adults. Two new instructors would be hired to teach the first year health careers students.

First year students learn anatomy and physiology (A&P), medical terms, and earn their first aid/CPR certification. “They receive a high school science credit for A&P and learn the basic core curriculum which, in turn, allows them to research pathways and hone in on particular skills the second year,” says Kristin Beitz, science instructor for first year students.

“The instructors and the students for both classes work closely with each other. We know what curriculum they are teaching and how they are teaching it,” said Fisher. “We combine the classes and work as teams on health projects like proper handwashing, gowning, masking and gloving.”

“In fact, second year students mentor first year students,” said LaDonna Gear, campus director.

“Peer mentors explain career options and even help teach the first aid/CPR certification,” said Brien.

Heilmann said setting clear expectations of where students need to be by the end of the first year prepares them for the advanced class and other health career options.

After learning the basics, Fisher says second year students in the advanced class begin to specialize in their preferred field. Among the choices available are pre-nursing, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, physical therapy aide, student athletic training aide, veterinary assistant, nursing assistant and health unit clerk.

“Second year students can also choose from other Central Tech classes such as Medical Assisting, Medical Front Office, or Biomedical Sciences,” said Gear. “After high school graduation they can apply for Surgical Technology, Practical Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Paramedic.”

Although some graduates join the workforce immediately, others pursue higher certification or degrees. Fisher reports that five out of 12 students in the most recent practical nursing class on the Drumright campus were graduates from the health careers program within the last few years.

The health field is ever-changing, always growing, and has a huge need in many areas. Don’t just think hospitals – there are flight nurses, careers overseas, nurses working for lawyers, paramedics, and more, said Heilmann and Fisher.

Central Tech is a great way to dive into the many occupations in the health industry and find what’s right for you.

On January 25, Central Tech celebrated the sixteen Practical Nursing students who graduated from the Sapulpa campus and are on their way to licensure.

The Central Tech Practical Nursing (PN) program is open to adults and is offered on both the Drumright and Sapulpa campuses. Students learn how to administer medications and treatments as prescribed under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed physician, or dentist.

For the past five years, students graduating from the Central Tech Practical Nursing program have achieved a 98.5 percent pass rate on their NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination) exams.

For more information about Central Tech Practical Nursing, please visit CentralTech.Edu or call Drumright 918.352.2551 or Sapulpa 918.224.9300.

Front Row (L-R): Jeri Willis, Sapulpa; Elizabeth Arnold, Sapulpa; Joni Mitchell, Sapulpa; Wendy Hunter, Tulsa; Barbara Pippin, Cleveland; Natasha Ugbah, Tulsa; Morgan Fisher, Sand Springs Back Row: Brittany Jones, Okmulgee; Mary Bell, Beggs; Fanta Thompson, Tulsa; Terra Arnold, Sapulpa; Danielle O’Leary, Sapulpa; Miracle Washington, Tulsa; Betty Taylor, Broken Arrow; Susan Fanning, Broken Arrow; Rhiannen Perez, Tulsa.

Three Central Tech Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) students were awarded the Lisa McClendon Memorial Scholarship established by the Tulsa-based Millennium Home Health Care, Inc.

This year’s recipients are: Anna Casillas of Cleveland, Emily Gonzales of Depew, and Kristen Danley of Drumright.

“The scholarship was created to honor Lisa’s passion for her chosen profession of home health aide by giving this scholarship to someone who might otherwise not be able to afford CNA training but has the same compassionate heart for people,” says Millennium Administrator Dave Randall. “The quality of Central Tech’s Certified Nurse Aide program is why we chose to give the scholarship to their students.”

“Central Tech appreciates Millennium Home Health Care’s generous donation. This scholarship will help our students with their educational needs,” says Ron Dyer, superintendent of Central Tech.

To find out more about Central Tech’s Certified Nurse Aide or Home Health Aide programs, please visit CentralTech.Edu.

Central Tech’s Surgical Technology program graduated twelve students in ceremonies Monday, July 10, 2017 on the Drumright campus. Last year’s graduates earned a 100% pass rate on their certification test from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). This accomplishment distinguishes the Central Tech Surg Tech program as one of the top schools in the state of Oklahoma.

Graduating students include Chris Mays of Bristow, Matt Suttle of Prague, Griffin Gosney of Stillwater, Samantha Yarber of Ralston, Chelsey Hurst of Drumright, Brianna Favalora of Oilton, Courtney Oliver of Perkins, Kayla Beckham of Bristow, Stacy Raffety of Stillwater, Brooke Jordan of Davenport, Kelsey Beckham of Bristow, and Alexia Geer of Stillwater.

Students in the Surgical Technology program graduate with knowledge and skills needed to function as a member of the surgical team, deliver patient care, and assume appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery. Central Tech students’ average starting salary is $17.10 an hour with the ability to increase as they gain experience. Congratulations to all our students! To learn more about Central Tech’s Surg Tech program or other classes, please visit our website at CentralTech.Edu or call 918-352-2551.