Catherine Howell, CCMA, CET, CPT, CPCT, CEHRS, AHA BLS-certified

​Cath​erine has spent the past 17 years working in the medical field, in such diverse fields as neurologic rehabilitation and family medicine.  Most of her experience comes from the physician’s office setting, in a practice that had 20,000+ patients, ranging in age from newborns to centenarians.  She has over eight thousand successful venipuncture sticks, and is well versed in other skills such as EKG/ECG, arrhythmia recognition, injections, suturing and clinical charting.    

For the last six years, Catherine has used these experiences and skills in the classroom, teaching students all that is required to become a passionate and successful Certified Medical Assistant or Patient Care Technician.  Her course includes over 100 hours of hands-on training alone, and is combined with informative presentations, exciting lectures, and instruction on real-world application of the skills learned in class.

Catherine guides students through a variety of procedures and relevant clinical scenarios, using the actual tools found in a hospital or doctor’s office, in a safe and supportive environment.  Relevant discussion and questions are welcomed and encouraged.  Catherine's classroom activities are designed to maximize understanding and retention of information, with the ultimate goal of providing students with an enjoyable, rewarding career in the medical field. 

“I have been excited and enthusiastic about allied health, and medical assisting in particular, for as long as I can remember,” states Catherine, “There are so many opportunities for medical assistants, especially as healthcare expands and changes, due to things like the Affordable Care Act and America’s aging population.  People will always need medical care, and competent, knowledgeable, professional CCMAs will always be in demand.”  Merit’s Medical Assistant/Patient Care Technician class will prepare students to BE those competent, knowledgeable and in-demand professionals.