By Seth Littrell

Jacquline Collins and Brittany Christian received life-changing news Thursday evening in a conference room at Clark Regional Medical Center, but it wasn’t a diagnosis.

The two women are students inBluegrass Technical and Community College’s certified medical assistant (CMA) program, and they had just been awarded a unique scholarship opportunity from the hospital.

In addition to paying full tuition costs for the students and supplying them with all the books and equipment they will need to complete the program — a cost of about $2,200 a semester — CRMC is additionally hiring the students and giving them jobs in a hospital environment as they learn.

In return, the Collins and Christian agree to work at the hospital for three additional years after they graduate and get their From left: Mary Spicer, Christen Johnson, Donna Raper, Deidre Bradley, Brittany Christian, JoEllen Reed, Sara Roberts, Cherie Sibley, Jacquline Collins, Bruce Manley and Brianne Cole pose for a photo Thursday evening at a reception for CMA scholarship winners from BCTC. certifications.

Collins, Christian and about nine other students are a part of the second CMA cohort that BCTC has worked with after beginning the program. The first cohort, which will be graduating in December, includes four students.

Bruce Manley, the campus director for BCTC in Clark County, said that the program offers a great opportunity for residents because it is in the health field.

“Health care has a high demand,” Manley said. “It’s a good field to go into and the largest employer in the county.”

Vice President of Human Resources Deidre Bradley said that working at Clark Regional is beneficial to CMA students after graduation because it gives them the opportunity to continue their education in the health field if the want to do so. She said the hospital offers other assistance programs to employees wishing to continue their education.

Contact Seth at seth.littrell@winchestersun.com.