Medical Assistants Are Inspirations!

Every day they touch people’s lives with their extraordinary skills and caring ways. Each issue of Medical Assisting Today shines the spotlight on a medical assistant with a unique story.

 

July/August 2026

School of Thought: CMA (AAMA) Supports Students’ Health and Long-Term Health Education

In the spotlight: Heather Olson, CMA (AAMA), has provided care to elementary, middle, and high school students in the school setting for nearly three decades. She performs a variety of tasks in her role, including medication administration, emergency preparation, health education, and recordkeeping. Her passion for her work helps keep students safe, healthy, and engaged from kindergarten to high school.

"The days are really busy and never boring. I love helping the kids and talking with them."

Heather Olson, CMA (AAMA)
Medical assistant in the school setting

"I really wanted to work in pediatrics, so this is my dream job. As a mom myself, it feels like my calling to help other children and their parents."

Cindy Dawson, CMA (AAMA)
Medical assistant at a pediatrics clinic

May/June 2026

Singing Her Praises: Meet the Medical Assistant Ms. Rachel of Pediatrics

In the spotlight: Cindy Dawson, CMA (AAMA), worked at a nursing home for nine years before deciding to advance her career. So, she enrolled in a medical assisting program while pregnant with her fourth child. After graduating and obtaining her CMA (AAMA)® certification in 2025, Dawson landed a job at the pediatrics clinic where she completed her practicum. Today, she assists providers, rooms patients, and runs the clinic’s laboratory. With a strong passion for working with children of all backgrounds, Dawson plans to work in pediatrics indefinitely.

March/April 2026

You Are What You Teach: CMA (AAMA) with Clinical Background Thrives in Education

In the spotlight: Anna Sanchez-Buckley, CMA (AAMA), fell in love with teaching while running nutrition classes for patients with various health conditions. However, formal teaching was not part of her career plan until she was offered an adjunct educator role at her alma mater. Despite facing imposter syndrome, she took the role and taught at night while working full-time. She became the program chair five years later. Today, she thrives in her role by bonding with students and pursuing continuing education.

"Education has always been my jam. I love to share information with people."

Anna Sanchez-Buckley, CMA (AAMA)
Program chair of the medical assisting program at Ivy Tech Community College

"It’s the little things—laugh­ing with a patient, saying something nice that cheers them up, or making them feel comfortable and understood and that their concerns will be addressed."

Emily Martinez, CMA (AAMA)
Medical assistant in an urgent care clinic

In the spotlight: When Emily Martinez, CMA (AAMA), was 8 years old, she witnessed her aunt endure cancer, which inspired her to pursue health care. After overcoming her own health problems, she graduated from a medical assisting program and works in an urgent care clinic in Chicago. She believes that this role is preparing her to eventually work in a specialty practice such as oncology, where she can continue honoring her aunt and her love of interacting with patients.

November/December 2025

Flash Pass: Medical Assisting Educator Blazes Accelerated Track for Students

In the spotlight: Jessica Balladares worked in several different specialties as a medical assistant before returning to her alma mater, Santa Fe Community College, to become an adjunct educator. Since then, she has been promoted to a full-time educator and program director.

As program director, she has helped launch an accelerated program that prepares medical assistants for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam in just 18 weeks, accommodating students with time constraints and a need to enter the field. She is constantly working to improve the program and meet the demands of employers.


 

“It feels full circle to help new medical assistants flourish in their careers. … It also makes me excited to keep sending qualified medical assistants out into our community.”

Jessica Balladares, RMA(AMT)
Academic program director at Santa Fe Community College


“I started at a small practice working part-time, and over time, my career blossomed. It wasn’t always easy, but it’s been rewarding. Anyone can do it, you just have to trust in your medical assisting skills and be willing to work hard."

Melinda Hoffman, CMA (AAMA)
Medical assistant coordinator at GI Associates

 

In the Spotlight: After departing from her role as a medical assistant for a family practice, Melinda Hoffman, CMA (AAMA), gathered experience in other health care positions and spent some time at home caring for her children. However, she eventually found her way back to medical assisting. Today, she serves as a medical assisting coordinator for GI Associates, where she manages the schedules of six medical assistants and facilitates staff and leadership meetings. This promotion has enabled Hoffman to advocate for her fellow medical assistants and ensure their needs are met, while also growing and learning invaluable skills each day. 

Photos and other AAMA images may not be used without express permission from the AAMA. Legal action will be taken against violators. Requests for the use of photos and images may be directed to the AAMA Marketing and Communications Department at the following email address: MarCom@aama-ntl.org. 

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