July 19, 2022 (Chattanooga, TN) --- The second cohort class of the Medical Assisting program at the Kimball Site offered through the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at Chattanooga State Community College is celebrating the success of its students, and the celebration became a golden one!

During the SkillsUSA Statewide Competition held in March 2022, Tara Grimes of Tracy City won a first-place gold medal for demonstrating her Medical Assisting skills in vital signs, CPR, laboratory technique and procedures, patient education, coding and billing, and injections. Having earned the right to advance to the National Skills USA competition recently held in Atlanta, Tara proceeded to earn a second gold medal assuring her place at the top among the 6,600 competitors at this year’s national competition.

“Tara is an excellent student who showed initiative throughout the entire year,” stated Nancy Draper, senior instructor and Medical Assisting program director. “Diligent in her studies, Tara set a good example to her classmates, was confident in her abilities, and exceeded beyond expectation.”

Ms. Grimes gives credit to Ms. Draper for helping her “push forward and be confident in her actions,” which she said made all the difference in the competitions. “The many hours I spent studying and practicing hands-on techniques helped me attain a broad knowledge of the field and ensured a good experience at the competitions,” said Tara.

Fellow Medical Assisting classmates earning gold medals at the Statewide SkillsUSA Health Knowledge Bowl included Amanda Graham of Jasper, and Hannah Andes, Tessa Green and Brooklynn Morrison of Whitwell.

The class, which meets at the Kimball site Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. CT, teaches administrative, clinical, and laboratory skills. This talented cohort class will graduate on August 2 ready to enter the medical professional field they have prepared for, looking at a median salary of more than $37K amid a projected job outlook growth of 18 percent.

Chattanooga State offers day programs, and is accepting applications, at both the Main Campus and the Kimball Site. For more information about this exciting field of study, visit chattanoogastate.edu/medical-assisting, call (423) 697-4447 in Chattanooga, or (423) 837-1327 in Kimball.