October 18 is National Medical Assistants Day, which highlights the important work that certified medical assistants (CMAs) do in clinics and hospitals nationwide. Join UAB Medicine in recognizing the excellence of our own CMA staff and their crucial role in our mission to deliver the highest quality, most compassionate care possible.
CMAs are key partners to our world-class physicians, advanced practice providers, and nurses, providing essential support to clinical, nursing, and administrative functions in our outpatient offices and clinics and helping ensure an excellent patient experience. They carry out numerous administrative tasks, such as organizing and maintaining patient records, and they take on a variety of clinical duties, including prepping patients for exams, performing basic lab tests, and obtaining medical histories. Over 400 CMAs at UAB Medicine ensure that our internal processes run smoothly.
“With their exceptional blend of technical expertise and compassionate care, our certified medical assistants play a crucial role in delivering quality care,” says Interim Associate Vice President of Ambulatory Services Laurie Hunter. “Their unwavering dedication to patients and commitment to excellence are truly commendable. On this special occasion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude with a resounding ‘thank you’ for their invaluable contributions.”
Shondra Black, MSHQS, BSN, AMB-BC, manager of the Cardiology Clinic and Interventional Radiology Clinic at UAB Medicine, agrees that CMAs are a vital part of the health care team. “I am truly grateful for their contribution in serving our patients,” Black says. “Their commitment to excellence and hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. We celebrate their greatness and recognize their hard work and dedication.”
UAB Medicine now offers a new CMA Career Ladder Program to help current staff start or advance their career as a CMA at UAB. As part of recognizing the hard work of our CMAs, we’re excited to celebrate our first cohort of CMAs who recently advanced to CMA Level II as part of this new program.
Annie Shedlarski, R.N., nurse manager at the UAB Medicine Hoover Clinic and a member of the CMA Career Ladder Program Committee, said she feels honored to recognize our CMAs through the development of this new ladder program. “Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working side by side with a variety of health care professionals, and I’ve been so impressed with our CMAs,” Shedlarski said. “They are accountable, responsible, dedicated, and passionate about our patients and our team. I look forward to seeing these professionals grow and continue to contribute to the success of our organization.”
