Tracy Ruby graduated from the medical assisting associate’s degree program at the $$Youngstown Campus just one month ago, but she is already making a name for herself in the medical assisting community. During her last term, Tracy received the Tri-County Medical Assistant Scholarship, a distinctive award presented to just two medical assisting students each year. The scholarship is awarded by the Tri-County Medical Assistants through the American Association of Medical Assisting (AAMA) to two deserving medical assisting students who attend school in the Ohio tri-county area of Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties.
Tracy is the third American National University student to receive this award. Nora Kreidler-Estes and Malista Santiago, both 2013 medical assisting graduates, were previously selected as recipients.
The awards were presented to this year’s recipients at an event earlier this year, where they were congratulated by the AAMA for their success. “They had a ceremony for us and everything,” Tracy explained. “I was able to meet many of the local AAMA board members and made some great contacts!”
$$Youngstown Campus director of health care education Veronica Zurcher, who has been with Tracy every step of the way, accompanied her to the award ceremony. “My professors were my rock,” Tracy said. “When things were tough, they were always reliable and made sure I never quit. They showed me they cared and that it wasn’t just a job.”
During her time as a medical assisting student, Tracy was a shining example for other students to follow. From helping as a peer tutor, to her work in the Student Activities Council, she demonstrated how hard work and education pay off. “Tracy hit the ground running from day one and never looked back,” said Veronica. “She’s a wife and mother and worked a full-time job her entire time at American National University and still graduated with high honors; she was a great student!”
At the ceremony, Tracy was very willing to share how her training at American National University had prepared her for a career as a medical assistant and even found that her reputation as a good student had preceded her. “I was surprised to see how much they knew about me and my achievements through the faculty!” she exclaimed.
$$Youngstown Campus graduate Tracy Ruby (center), with support from director of health care education Veronica Zurcher (left), accepts the Tri-County Medical Assistant Scholarship from scholarship chair Helene Clay (right)
