During in-service, the Medical Assisting Department made their annual committment taking toys to children admitted to Thomason's Pediatric Ward. Thanks to the kind hearts and generous donations by the MA students, the department was able to donate well over 300 toys to kids in the hospital during this time and those that will be admitted anytime while the toys last. It was a heart warming experience to see a smile on these kids' faces at such a sorrowful time. It is just a small gesture during the season of giving to make the best out of an unfortunate time for these families.




"Although with empty carts, we left with full hearts."

The Medical Department will be raffling off an official Dallas Cowboys Helment signed by Randy White. The raffle tickets are on sale for $5. The raffle will take place on November 21, 2007. Proceedes go to the CCST and a new "Medical/Clinical Assistant" Scholarship.
Contact any Medical Instructor or Petra York if you would like to buy a ticket.

The medical assisting department's presentations for the Children with Special Needs Camp has come to end, however, it went out with a bang! The final theme was occupational week, and what better way to present than have our programs at WTC showcase their career fields. ALL programs at WTC where invited, and a special thanks goes out to those that participated:

Michelle Biernacki and her students from the Physcial Therapy Assistant Program
Susan Mclean from Microcomputers
Jennifer Walker from Health Information Technology
And of course Petra York for helping me with The Medical Assisting Program.

The kids really, really enjoyed hearing about the different occupations, and more than anything they loved the attention they got from each of the special people from WTC that devoted the time to go out and speak to these disadvantaged kids.

I look forward to next year's summer camp and all the smiles that will come next year!!!

pics soon to come!

This week my class went out, again, to do yet another presentation for El Paso Rehabilitation's Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs. They presented on different medicinal techniques throughout the world, sticking with the camp's weekly theme which this week was "Around the World". I want to send a very special Thank You to my class:
Bri, Maribel, Dolores, Cristina, Crystal, Angie, Angel, and Linda!!
You all are life savers and you know what I mean!! You all did an awesome job!!
Again the kids enjoyed the presentation and actually learned quite a bit about different medicine techniques in which several were rewarded by a prize.
Next week will be our last presentation for the summer. Stay tunned for another update...

Western Technical College's Medical Assisting Department hosted yet another Blood Drive for United Blood Services in June. With all the generous, brave donors they were able to collect over 75 units!!! We would like to thank all the students and faculty at both campuses for being so bighearted!! You made a difference in someone's life by being a HERO!!!

This past week another one of our MA classes presented for the kids at the camp. Again they had an awsome time. This week's Theme was "A Circus in Your Mouth!!" : The importance of tooth brushing. The students presented on the proper tooth brushing and what teeth look like if they don't brush. The kids had a blast. They danced, played games, had face painting, and even got goody bags full of SUGAR FREE Candy, a tooth brush and tooth paste!!
Special thanks goes out to MR. Carrillo Class for putting together such a GREAT presentation!!!

Several of the Medical Assisting instructors took their classes to the
"Bodies Human" Exhibit for a learning experience. I (Petra) decided to tag along
just to see what all the excitement was about. I was in awe! Whole human
bodies including human organs are preserved through a "plastination"
process. This literally allows one to view the internal human body i.e. all
the muscles, the male and female reproductive systems, respiratory and
circulatory systems, the digestives system, etc. Furthermore, cross sections
of the human face and brain, heck; a whole human body in one inch cross
sections are on display. In addition, you can evaluate disease ridden
internal organs to healthy organs. Human extremities composed only of tiny
fragile capillaries can be viewed. My recommendation is for anybody
teaching Anatomy and Physiology using the conventional books, pictures, and
anatomical charts/models approach should see this exhibit. Incredible and
well worth seeing!

Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures. But here is the link
that will connect you to their web site.

http://www.bodieshuman.com/

The MA Dept. had their first presentation for the summer camp on June 4, 2007. It was a huge success!! In attendance were 40+ enthusiastic kids ranging in ages 4-12. Mrs. H's (Melissa's) class presented their project on Hand Washing and the kids loved it.
They learned the importance of hand washing, proper hand washing technique and different types of germs that can be found on their hands!! The kids had blast while practicing hand washing and playing games with the MA Students, but most importantly they were psyched about the goodies that the class generously gave to the kids.
A huge thank you goes out to Ms. H's class for working so hard on their project:

Ruby Albrides, Frank Lopez, Nicole Hernandez, Vanessa Daniel, Liz Cabrera, and especially Ms. H!!

Summer is just around the corner, and like most, kids are off to summer camp. However, there is one in particular that is different than most. El Paso Rehabilitation hosts a summer camp for Children with Special Needs; thus: El Paso Recreation for Children with Special Needs. This camp is for kids who have/had an illness, disease or learning disorder that has placed them on the 'Children with Special Needs Program'.

The MA Dept. has devoted its staff and students to participate in this year's camp. Every Monday throughout the months of June, July and August instructors and students will go out and give presentations to these kids, who range in ages 6-12. The presentations will all be health related and correspond with the weekly themes the camp as established.

The last week of August is really exciting. The camp will be hosting an Occupational Week for the kids, in which people from all over the city from different careers will go out and teach the kids a little something about their job. This is an excellent opportunity for all of WTC to get in on the community involvement and teach a little something to future WTC students. We are hoping that all the programs are able to participate!!

Stayed tuned for updates and pictures to follow.

The Medical Assisting dept would like to thank all students, faculty, and staff for letting us attend their career day 2/28/07 at Burges High School. The medical assisting students had fun and enjoyed answering all the high school students' questions. There were many students interested in the program, and we look forward to seeing those students becoming WTC students upon graduation. We also look forward to attending other Highschools' career day as well.
A special 'Thank You' goes out to Sara Cortez and Sergio Gonzalez, MA students. Thank you for your extra time, hard work and encouragement to others to come to WTC!!

Hi Everyone

There will be some health fairs coming up this week that Western Technical College Medical Assisting students and staff will be participating in. Monday, February 26, 2007 from 9am - 1pm @ EPCC Rio Grande Campus ;Thursday, March 1, 2007 @ Irvin High School from 3pm-6pm & Bowie High School from 1:15pm - 5:30pm BLOOD PRESSURE AND GLUCOSE SCREENING WILL BE DONE FREE!!!!

The Medical Assisting Department will be having two get speakers for the month of February.
On 2/2/2007 Hector Lopez from Mesa Vista Dialysis will be speaking at the Plaza Circle campus from 12:15-1:00. He will be speaking about Dialysis and Job Opportunites. Everyone is welcome to attend.
On 2/5/2007 Rosalinda Garcia from El Paso County Health and Enviroment District will be speaking at the Plaza Circle Campus from 10-12.
For more information, contact Petra York at 915-566-9621 or 915-760-8120.

The MA department would like to thank all those who volunteered for the blood drives held at both the Diana Campus and Plaza Campus. United Blood Services were able to collect 64 units in total. A special thank you goes out to all the Medical Assisting students who were the main contributors to the blood drive, you all helped save a life!!