---
title: "Certified Success: NHA Alumni Share How Being #NHACertified Has Empowered Their Futures"
description: Are you wondering if certification is right for you? Or maybe you need to rekindle your passion for healthcare? Here are a few inspiring stories from people like you who have improved their lives through the power of certification.
image: https://info.nhanow.com/hubfs/images/nha-customer-story-tools/story-image-uploads/SusanMeyer.png
---
[](http://www.nhanow.com/)
# Care + Career
Resources, news and fun for NHA certification candidates and alumni.
# Certified Success: NHA Alumni Share How Being #NHACertified Has Empowered Their Futures
- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)
Certification is more than a piece of paper. It's the beginning of a better future — one where you feel empowered to make a difference, not only in your life, but also in the lives of others.
We love hearing from men and women who are #NHACertified as they share what a difference certification has had in their lives. People from all walks of life are drawn to healthcare, and they all have a different story that led them on this path.
Are you wondering if certification is right for you? Or maybe you need to rekindle your passion for healthcare? Here are a few inspiring stories from people like you who have improved their lives through the power of certification.
### **Susan proved that it's never too late to change your life**
"It's never too late to start a new career. At the age of 64 I went back to school after being a photographer and teacher for 30 years. I had the opportunity to get an educational grant for my CMAA, CET & CPT certifications through the county college. Within 6 months of graduating I was able to get a position with EMSI as a Mobile Insurance Examiner. I have been with them since April 2015. I am currently a CSR in the Hamilton NJ office and also now train the new examiners that come on board with the company. I still do exams that come in the office which entail collecting blood and urine specimens, vitals, EKG's and Senior Assessments. I have been enjoying my new journey that I have chosen as my final profession. Thank you NHA!”
– Susan Meyer, CET, CPT, CMAA
### **Brindija's certification led her to a job she's passionate about.**
"I started off as a pharmacy technician at Walmart Pharmacy for 5 years. Now I work for AHF which is a nonprofit organization that provides medicines for the HIV community regardless of ability to pay. I love what I do it's rewarding to be able to help patients with cost and information on medicine."
- Brindija Henderson, CPhT
### **Jessica never doubted her path.**
"Healthcare was never just a job or a calling, it was simply a part of my entire self. Knowing that I may have helped someone even with something as simple as directing them through the hospital fills me with joy. I will never question my choice to get into healthcare, my only question is what am I going to learn next?"
- Jessica Mutter, CPT
### **Tara drew strength and insight from her past experiences.**
"I had Leukemia at 13, and by next year, I'll be 10 years cancer free. It took me a long time to get an education because of all my recurring illnesses. Patient care is my main priority, because I've been in their spot. I have many friends who are also survivors and some who are no longer with us, so I have some insight on how ill people would like to be treated, and I hope to use that to help build a certain layer of trust with the patients. I'm glad I chose to get into medical assisting, it was one of the best decisions of my life! Big shout out to being #NHACertified! I don't see myself wanting to do anything else!"
- Tara Foreman, CCMA, CET, CPT
### **Shrerail is confident knowing she has an edge.**
"I chose to be NHA Certified because it gives me a level up on the competition. I worked several years only trained to do my job. Now that I have taken the official step I definitely feel accomplished. I don't know why I waited so long! My certification keeps me excited about my career because not only do I have training, I now have the knowledge to care for patients as well. Totally worth it."
- Shrerail Holder, CCMA, CBCS
### **Haley was inspired by her grandfather's nurses.**
“When I was 8 my grandfather passed away, since then I knew that I wanted to do nursing. The way those nurses cared for him and made the family feel so at home and comfortable made me strive to do that as a career.”
-Haley McDonald, CPCT/A
### **Lashelle went back to school after 20 years off and finished at the top of her class.**
\[
"I enrolled in school to earn my CCMA because I wanted something for myself. At that time, it had been 20 plus years since I had graduated from high school. I am proud to say, I graduated No. 1 in my class with a 4.0 and perfect attendance. I landed a job at the very same clinic that I did my externship at. I earned my CPT as well.
All I can say is that you have to start somewhere. I do not regret for a minute my decision to continue my educational journey. I do regret not starting sooner."
- Lashelle Wanda Kirkland, CCMA, CPT
### **Trishae made her children proud.**
"I chose to be NHA certified to not only advance my career, but to lead by example and give my children something to be proud of. I've always had a passion for helping people and as a little girl I always dreamed of working in a hospital — now I'm one step closer!"
- Trishae Petty, CPT
Frontline healthcare professionals like these are the reason we're so passionate about certification. We're proud to support people who are making a difference in the world.
**If you're #NHACertified, what's your story?** We want to know why you chose to empower your future and what led you on the path toward becoming a healthcare professional. Fill out the form using the link below and help inspire others on their journey!
##### [Share Your #NHACertified Story >>](https://info.nhanow.com/nhacertified)
Topics: [Real Stories](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/real-stories), [NHA Certified](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/nha-certified)
## You make a difference every day.
When you work in healthcare, you go home every day knowing that you changed lives. Here, we're sharing industry news, updates, professional resources and more.
### Subscribe to Email Updates
### Recent Posts
### Posts by Topic
- [Allied Health Careers (52)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/allied-health-careers)
- [Continuing Education (38)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/continuing-education)
- [Career Pathways (33)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/career-pathways)
- [Insider (33)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/insider)
- [Getting Certified (16)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/getting-certified)
- [CBCS (15)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/cbcs)
- [Industry News (15)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/industry-news)
- [Job Search Tips (15)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/job-search-tips)
- [Medical Assistants (15)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/medical-assistants)
- [NHA Certified (11)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/nha-certified)
- [Regulatory Udates (11)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/regulatory-udates)
- [Certification Exams (9)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/certification-exams)
- [Real Stories (9)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/real-stories)
- [membership (9)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/membership)
- [Career Tools (8)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/career-tools)
- [Exam Prep (8)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/exam-prep)
- [Pharmacy Technicians (8)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/pharmacy-technicians)
- [Study Tips (8)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/study-tips)
- [CCMA (6)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/ccma)
- [CTE (6)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/cte)
- [Pharmacy (6)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/pharmacy)
- [Professional Skills (6)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/professional-skills)
- [Professional Tips (6)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/professional-tips)
- [member (6)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/member)
- [studying (6)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/studying)
- [CPhT (5)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/cpht)
- [Career & Technical Education (5)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/career-technical-education)
- [EKG (5)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/ekg)
- [Recertification (5)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/recertification)
- [Staying Certified (5)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/staying-certified)
- [Study Prep (5)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/study-prep)
- [COVID (4)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/covid)
- [Patient Care (4)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/patient-care)
- [Stacked Credentials (4)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/stacked-credentials)
- [Billing and Coding (3)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/billing-and-coding)
- [CET (3)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/cet)
- [Credentialing (3)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/credentialing)
- [Electronic Health Records (3)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/electronic-health-records)
- [Patient Care Technician (3)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/patient-care-technician)
- [CEHRS (2)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/cehrs)
- [CMAA (2)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/cmaa)
- [Candidate tools (2)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/candidate-tools)
- [Great Topic (2)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/great-topic)
- [NHA News (2)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/nha-news)
- [Phlebotomy (2)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/phlebotomy)
- [Resume Tips (2)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/resume-tips)
- [Team-Based Care (2)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/team-based-care)
- [Apprenticeships (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/apprenticeships)
- [CPT (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/cpt)
- [ExCPT (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/excpt)
- [HOSA (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/hosa)
- [Study Prep (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/study-prep)
- [aging (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/aging)
- [cancer (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/cancer)
- [customer service (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/customer-service)
- [halloween (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/halloween)
- [health occupations (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/health-occupations)
- [health sciences (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/health-sciences)
- [heart facts (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/heart-facts)
- [style your scrubs (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/style-your-scrubs)
- [thanksgiving (1)](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/topic/thanksgiving)
see all
- [Terms of Use](http://www.nhanow.com/terms-of-use)
- [Privacy Policy](http://www.nhanow.com/privacy-policy)
- [Careers](http://www.ascendlearning.com/careers/)
- [Accreditation](http://www.nhanow.com/accreditation)
- [Help Center](http://www.nhanow.com/help-center)
Copyright© 2026 Assessment Technologies Institute®, LLC. All rights reserved.
### Did you miss the "Finding Opportunity: The New Administration, Legislation and You" webinar?
By clicking the button below, I agree to the [Privacy Policy](http://www.nhanow.com/privacy-policy).
X
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Stacy Jones",
"url" : "https://info.nhanow.com/blog/author/stacy-jones"
},
"dateModified" : "2018-12-12T14:00:12.968Z",
"datePublished" : "2018-12-12T14:00:00.000Z",
"headline" : "Certified Success: NHA Alumni Share How Being #NHACertified Has Empowered Their Futures",
"image" : [ "https://info.nhanow.com/hubfs/images/nha-customer-story-tools/story-image-uploads/SusanMeyer.png" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://info.nhanow.com/blog/certified-success-nha-alumni-share-how-being-nhacertified-has-empowered-their-futures",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://info.nhanow.com/hubfs/NHA_Logo_Abbreviated_CMYK_vFA.png"
},
"name" : "National Healthcareer Association "
}
}
```