CCV Works: Sandy Sherman

Sandy Sherman always knew that she wanted to work in healthcare, so she started out at CCV in 2010 with the hopes of pursuing a career in nursing. Along the way, “life happened,” and she ended up changing paths. She completed her CCV degree in liberal studies and worked as a paraeducator, but when she heard about CCV’s accelerated medical assistant program, offered in partnership with Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, she knew she had to apply. “I wanted to be involved in the medical field and knowing that as a single mom I was having to work to make ends meet…when I saw the opportunity [to become a] medical assistant, I felt that this would be able to fill what I wanted to do for work and give me the capability of continuing my education further down the road,” Sandy said. “I just felt that it was a good place to start.”

Sandy started in the medical assistant program at CCV in the fall of 2018 and graduated the following spring. She immediately began work as a medical assistant at BMH, where she fills many roles. Today, Sandy works at Brattleboro Internal Medicine, is a medical scribe, administers COVID-19 tests and vaccines, and works at an acute infectious respiratory clinic. “What I love most about my job is probably everything I do,” Sandy said. “The interactions with the patients, the providers that I get to work with; I love doing clinical stuff as far as swabbing, vaccinations, throat cultures—the list just goes on.”

During her time at CCV Sandy was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she didn’t let that slow her down. “CCV was so supportive and the instructors were just amazing through the whole process. It felt so good to be a part of a learning environment where the instructors and staff really go above and beyond to help…they want people to succeed. It was really refreshing to have that experience.” She also enjoyed the small class sizes at the College, the sense of community, and the challenge that her classes provided.

According to Sandy, the instructors at CCV were instrumental in preparing her for her job as a medical assistant. She’s now considering further education in the medical field, and acknowledges that her CCV education allowed her to take her first step into healthcare. “There’s not enough good that I can say about CCV. It’s just phenomenal.” Even through the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented and the long hours spent at the hospital, she says, “I feel fortunate that I can say that I love coming to work…it’s all rewarding.”