Medical Assisting Alumni Success - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Serwa Suma-Butler, 2011 Medical Assisting Graduate and Medical Assistant at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital

It’s been over three years since Medical Assisting alumna Serwa Suma-Butler graduated from Bay State College, but you may still see her around campus every once in a while just to stop by for a visit.

"Even to this day, I still talk to my professors,” she says. “They care about how you're doing, and that personal connection was an important part of my success. It's also the reason I love to go back to Bay State every once in a while just to say hi."

Back in 2009, Serwa transferred credits into Bay State’s Medical Assisting program for two main reasons – the flexibility of the program and the people who helped her along the way.

As a mother of two young boys, she knew she needed a program that would allow her to work or be with her children during the day and go to school at night. The Bay State Medical Assisting program also allowed her to take some day classes in her second year to help her to get to graduation faster.  

“During that time when I was taking both day and evening classes, I was lucky enough to find a work study position to fill the gap in time,” she says. “I worked closely with program chair, Dr. Rosana Darang and her faculty, and I have to say I miss them every day.”

As with all Medical Assisting students, Serwa was required to get an internship in her second year and landed a sought-after position at Beth Israel where (based on her incredible work ethic and positive attitude) she was offered a full-time position just weeks before graduating. 

“Just like at Bay State, Beth Israel has been a great supporter and advocate for my success. There are great benefits and opportunities for growth.  I’ve established really strong relationships with the nurses and doctors I work with on a daily basis.”

Serwa is done with her education for now, but not for good. She plans to return to the classroom in pursuit of her RN, as becoming a nurse is Serwa’s ultimate goal. But for now, she will learn and grow in her role as a Medical Assistant. She is a member of the OB/GYN team at Beth Israel. Her role is dynamic and constantly changing, but one thing is certain: it involves plenty of patient interaction, which is one of her favorite aspects of Medical Assisting.

Congratulations to Serwa on her success!