CR Celebrates Medical Assistant Program Graduates at Fall 2025 Pinning Ceremony

Published on Jan 13 2026

College of the Redwoods recognized the accomplishments of fifteen graduates from its Medical Assistant Training Program during the Fall 2025 Pinning Ceremony, held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in the Creative Arts Complex on campus.

The ceremony honored students who successfully completed the Medical Assisting Program and passed the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam, earning national certification as Certified Medical Assistants (CMA). The event marked the culmination of a demanding semester that included rigorous coursework and 144 hours of hands-on externship experience.

Graduates completed the program with multiple credentials, including national CMA certification, as well as certifications in BLS CPR, Venipuncture, and Injections, preparing them to enter the healthcare workforce with in-demand skills.

The Fall 2025 cohort achieved an outstanding 93 percent pass rate on the national certification exam, significantly exceeding the national average of 70 percent. One graduate has already secured employment as a Certified Medical Assistant, underscoring the program’s strong workforce outcomes.

“Tonight is about more than completing a program. It’s about perseverance, discipline, and choosing a profession rooted in care, service, and skill. Medical Assistants are often the first point of contact in healthcare, and our system depends on professionals like these graduates,” said Amber Cavanaugh, Director of Community Workforce Development at College of the Redwoods.

College of the Redwoods President/Superintendent Dr. Keith Flamer was in attendance, along with faculty, staff, clinical partners, employers, families, and friends who gathered to celebrate this milestone.

The Medical Assistant Training Program is part of College of the Redwoods’ commitment to workforce education, preparing students for meaningful careers while meeting critical healthcare needs throughout the region.