The Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) recently held its University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Assistant Program graduation ceremony. Eight students graduated from the program this year, which was a 400% increase from last year’s graduations.
Adisa Cartwright, Associate Dean of UCLA Health Medical Assistant Program, managed the program and instructed the students to successfully complete the curriculum. All eight graduated students have been offered jobs at UCLA Health Center clinics and hospitals.
The Los Angeles Urban League and UCLA Medical Assistant Program are intentional in advocating and advancing health equality. The program’s goal is not only to graduate students to work in healthcare, but also to give them a voice to speak on behalf of patients, especially those who look like them.
Diversity and advocacy are important and are part of the training the students receive in the program. Many alumni from the program have gone on to do exciting things in healthcare.
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“Our desire is to help you achieve your goals. We would like to help you progress,” said Jamecca Marshall, LAUL vice president of programs, to the 2022 graduates and the incoming class of 2021. “Thank you for believing in yourself,” she added.
Michael Lawson, LAUL president and CEO, said to the new class of 2023, “You can do this and we are here with you! Just do the work and study the material. Make us proud of you.”
Dean Cartwright, who along with Marshall and the Urban League, is a tirelessly advocate of the UCLA Medical Assistant Program, remarked, “All of you are here because of your perseverance. We are happy for you and will be here to support you with whatever you might need.”
Amari Clarke, one of the graduates of the 2022 UCLA Medical Assistant Program, encouraged her fellow students to “take advantage of the network. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Everyone is supportive of one another.”
Curtney Moore, one of the three first African American males to graduate from the program, said “Be invested in the program. Show up and compete with folks who know more than you do. The program is only as hard as you make.” Curtney hopes to serve as an example for more men to enroll and graduate from the UCLA Medical Assistant Program.
The UCLA Medical Assistant Program is a resourceful pipeline for students to gain employment in the healthcare industry. The Los Angeles Urban League through its supportive programming is providing the platform for low-income Black and Latino individuals in Los Angeles to enter the program and obtain livable wages.
For more information about the UCLA Medical Assistant Program, visit laul.org/MedAssistant.
