UAS student Petrea Ashmore receives scholarship from the American Association of Medical Assistants

Petrea has demonstrated multiple instances of extreme professionalism and highly effective communication skills when interacting with other students. She is a role model for her classmates.

Sitka, Alaska

Date of Press Release: July 2, 2021

The American Association of Medical Assistants announced Petrea Ashmore has received a national scholarship. Ashmore is a student in the UAS Medical Assisting Program at the University of Alaska Southeast. This honor is only for students enrolled in Medical Assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). To be considered for the scholarship, Petrea was required to submit her academic transcript, write an essay and secure two letters of support, one for the director of the program.

“I really admire how Petrea fully engaged with material and was very motivated to learn even difficult concepts. She has demonstrated attentiveness, thoroughness, time management and adherence to classroom policies. Petrea has demonstrated multiple instances of extreme professionalism and highly effective communication skills when interacting with other students. She is a role model for her classmates, an excellent student and person who fully embraces the spirit of Medical Assisting, and we are very proud of this national recognition award,” noted Amy Samuel, Associate Professor of Health Sciences and UAS Medical Assisting Program Director.

There is a growing demand for medical assistants, who work alongside healthcare practitioners performing both administrative and clinical procedures. Coursework in the UAS Sitka Medical Assisting Certificate program covers general medical knowledge, including terminology, anatomy, physiology, behavioral science, medical law, and ethics. Administrative skills include medical records management, answering telephones, scheduling and greeting patients, bookkeeping, collections, insurance processing, and familiarity with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Clinical skills include obtaining vital signs, medication preparation and administration, assisting with examinations and minor procedures, phlebotomy (drawing blood), performing basic laboratory tests, pharmacology, and specimen collection. Completion of this program prepares its graduates to become a vital part of a medical team working together toward patient health and wellness.

Sitka campus director Dr. Paul Kraft remarked, “We are very proud of Petrea Ashmore. She is typical of so many of our students as she is overcoming multiple challenges, balancing family, work and school while excelling in the classroom. She is an outstanding student and will be a great addition to the medical field.”

Learn more about the Medical Assisting Program at UAS or call and speak to program director Amy Samuel at (907) 747-7748.