North County Health Services creates top employees

SAN MARCOS — North County Health Services hosted graduation ceremonies for its North County Health Careers Institute’s inaugural Medical Assistant Training Program class March 27.
The San Diego Workforce Funders Collaborative sponsors the program, designed to accommodate a full-time working student. It provides employees to three North San Diego County community health centers as well as opportunities for educational advancement for community members,
“As the lead agency, North County Health Services is committed to increasing the workforce capacity of the north San Diego region,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Irma Cota. “North County Health Services works in partnership with Vista Community Clinic and Neighborhood Healthcare to recruit employees and residents for this educational opportunity. Now more than ever, we must work in unity to build upon a strong, competent, and vibrant workforce in order to continue delivering quality care.”
Michelle D. Gonzalez, vice president of operations and special programs at NCHS, added, “This partnership is a means to create opportunities for employees who, day in and day out, give of themselves to improve the health status of our north San Diego communities. We also link middle, high school and college students with shadowing opportunities for careers in allied health.”
This program goes beyond creating and building upon a strong workforce in allied health. It also has shared benefits for employees and community participants. Employees are able to maintain full-time working status and at the end of the program, they graduate without student loans, and with a brighter future ahead.
“I’m very thankful for this program because it opened new horizons for me,” said Lourdes Garcia, inaugural class student and employee of North County Health Services.
“The instructors, support staff and advising team fostered a positive learning environment that I felt proud to be part of. Best of all, I was able to attend classes while providing for my family and know that this is only the beginning to what the future holds.”
North County Health Services is a private not-for-profit organization that serves more than 60,000 patients annually at 11 health centers in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Ramona and San Marcos, and two mobile clinics. Services at NCHS include pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, internal medicine, adolescent medicine, dental care, mental health services and radiology as well as community health outreach, prevention and disease management programs. For more, visit www.nchs-health.org or call (760) 736-6767.