LEWISTON — St. Mary’s Health System, 96 Campus Ave., held a celebration ceremony on Nov. 28 recognizing 19 local students for completion of their medical assistant classes.

Instructor Mariann Gowell welcomed administrators, staff, family, friends and community partners for the presentation of certificates. Brittany Blais, St. Mary’s Talent Acquisition Partner and Human Resources Administrative Assistant, also shared remarks and thanked partners for making the program possible.

Students successfully completed a fast-paced, condensed curriculum offering training to assist physicians with the clinical responsibilities of a medical office.

The program included 140 hours of classroom/lab training. Following the classwork, students are completing the final weeks of an externship schedule of 160 hours. Many of the students also earned a WorkReady certificate covering the topics of effective workplace communication techniques, resume and interviewing skills, conflict resolution and teamwork.

The employer-driven project was made possible through the collaborative support and grant funding provided by Western Maine Community Action, Bureau of Employment Services/Competitive Skills Scholarship Program and Gray/New Gloucester Adult Education.

The combined curriculum empowers students with the skills and knowledge essential to the specific job field.

St. Mary’s Health System, 96 Campus Ave., had a ceremony recognizing 19 students for completion of their medical assistant classes. From left in front are Marie Blessing, Audrey Condon, Dancile Nshimirimana, Francis Nguyen, Kassandra Hebert, Katie Hamilton, Darcy Goyette and Mary Ann Gowell, instructor; second row, Jessica Biron, Dinah Morris, Tracy Crossman, Sandra Barnich, Trisha Newcomb, Justine Gray, Lori Adkins, Melissa Dalton, Kelsa Brennan, Kayla Caron and Patti Saarinen, WIOA site coordinator WMCA, Lewiston CareerCenter; back, Paula Bolduc, Julian Kirouac, Brittany Wilkins, Miranda Hutchinson and Cathy Stairs, WMCA employment and training specialist.