Student Scholarship Spotlight

DeAnndra (DeeDee) Domino’s ambitions of training to work in the healthcare field go a long way back.

“It’s been a goal of mine for quite some time. As a preschool teacher and paraprofessional, I’ve worked with children for 15-years. Over the course of this time I’ve learned so much from children. Seeing them learn and grow and reach milestones was really incredible to see,” DeAnndra says. “As a mother to a now 20-year old son, I’ve always prioritized his care and education. Now that he’s in college, I’m super-enccouraged to pursue my education and achieve all the long-term goals I’ve put off for so long.”

DeAnndra’s long-time desire for a career working in healthcare led her to apply for one of Bay Area Medical Academy’s African American Student Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy Program Scholarships. We were quickly won over by DeAnndra’s personal story and eagerness to become a healthcare worker, and were thrilled to offer her a scholarship to help her with her medical training. 

DeAnndra volunteering at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center

These are excititing times for DeAnndra, and she can’t help thinking a little about life after graduation. “On completing the program, I’d like to work in either a hospital or clinic setting as a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist,” DeAnndra says. “I’m a natural caregiver and in these times where health and wellness are so front-and-center to the country and world, I want to work in a meaningful and rewarding field. I’m a helper, and this is a way I can help others and be a part of a bigger solution.”

DeAnndra Update: Just recently we checked in with DeAnndra to see how she was getting on, and we were pleased to hear her wonderful news.

DeAnndra told us: “Yes things are going great! During my externship with BAPLS, I was hired on as a Medical Assistant Lead, leading vaccination sites around the Mission District, as well as the Tenderloin area in San Francisco. This position has been a great experience: helping manage Medical Assistants, and managing test areas such as one for testing NBA players before their games. I’ve also been a Vaccine Coordinator, making sure that vials are within range of specific temperatures and having the paperwork in order.”

DeAnnadra — you’re an inspiration to us all, and congratulations!

“Don’t think — just do!” Honesti Hayward says, speaking about people thinking about wanting to enroll into Bay Area Medical Academy’s Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy Program. “This is probably one of the best things I’ve done yet. It’s not too hard and not too easy. It’s just the perfect amount of learning we need to get our hands wet in the medical field. I love being back in school because I’m doing something I actually like.”

Honesti is one of our African American Student Scholarship awardees, and she applied for the scholarship for heartfelt reasons. “I chose to train for a career working in healthcare because I have a diabetic mom, and I feel like there’s more to know than just the basics doctors tell you,” Honesti says. “I wanted to learn the knowledge for myself.”