THOMASVILLE — Southern Regional Technical College’s Medical Laboratory Technology program held a pinning ceremony Wednesday, April 9, marking the completion of the program for nine students.

Each student graduated with an associate of applied science degree in medical laboratory technology from SRTC. 

Area graduates include: Shannon Johnson, Homerville; Tiffany Johnson, Lake Park; and Angel Paro, Valdosta.

Vickie Smith, medical laboratory program chair, commended this class for their resilience and determination. 

“As their instructors, Ms. Moye and I have been constantly amazed by this group’s dedication, resilience and remarkable growth,” Smith said. “What makes these graduates so special is not just their academic achievements, but the way they’ve supported each other through challenges and transformed obstacles into opportunities for growth. We’re incredibly proud of the professionals they’ve become, and we’re confident that their experiences have thoroughly prepared them for success in the medical laboratory field.”

The highest grade point average award was presented to Shannon Johnson for achieving the highest GPA in the class. Jasmine West was presented with the Ambassador Award, which is given to students who have distinguished themselves through leadership, distinction in learning and innovation.

The program is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. With this accreditation, graduates may sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology National Certification Exam to become Certified Medical Lab Technicians. Graduating from a NAACLS accredited program and passing the national certification is the only way someone can be employed in a clinical lab at a hospital.

SRTC’s MLT Program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers as medical laboratory technicians. Students learn to perform clinical laboratory procedures under the supervision of a qualified pathologist and/or clinical laboratory scientist. These tests are used to detect things such as blood type, HIV-AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis, anemia, West Nile virus and much more. Throughout the program, classroom training is integrated with clinical experiences under the medical direction of cooperating hospitals.

For more information about the medical laboratory technology program, contact Smith at 229-225-5203 or email gsmith@southernregional.edu.