Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College is offering a new gateway into the rapidly growing healthcare field with the launch of its Medical Assistant Program, opening on August 19 at the start of the 2024-25 academic year. Applications are now being accepted for the competitive program, which is designed to equip students with the hands-on training, modern facilities, and comprehensive coursework needed for a successful career in medical assistance.
Dr. Susan Thrasher, a veteran with 42 years of experience in healthcare, has been appointed as the program’s director. Reflecting on her new role, she said, “We are providing hands-on training, modern facilities and comprehensive coursework to equip students with the skills necessary for a successful career in medical assistance. The degree will empower them. It will empower the community. Knowledge empowers people.”
Dr. Thrasher’s career began after her own childhood experiences in hospitals, where she developed a passion for medical assistance. She graduated from Gadsden State and later earned an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting from Birmingham’s Regional Technical Institute. Her career includes work as a certified medical assistant in Birmingham, assistant director at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heart Station, and nursing roles at Gadsden Regional Medical Center.
In her new role at Gadsden State, Dr. Thrasher is fulfilling a lifelong dream of teaching at the college level. “Medical assistants are the heart, soul and compassion of the community through providing service to patients, physicians, and colleagues,” she said. The program, which spans five semesters, will prepare students for certification by the National Board for Medical Assisting. Certified graduates will find employment opportunities across a variety of healthcare settings, from physicians’ offices to hospitals and urgent care facilities.
Applications are being accepted for the inaugural class of 15 students, and the program’s competitive admission process includes requirements such as an ACT score of at least 18, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and passing a background check and drug test. The online application and more details can be found at GadsdenState.edu/Medical.
