Ultimate Medical Academy Honors Successful Graduate UMA Alumna Grace Wagner Who Shines at New Job in Healthcare
December 22, 2016, Tampa, Fla. — Ultimate Medical Academy is proud to recognize Grace Wagner, a 2016 graduate from UMA’s Medical Billing and Coding diploma and associate degree programs on completing nine months of employment in her new career in healthcare. Wagner received her diploma in March 2016, and with the help of UMA’s Career Services, accepted an offer for a healthcare position before graduation. While employed, she continued her online education and received her associate degree in Medical Billing and Coding from UMA in July 2016.
Wagner is working at Liberty HealthShare in Canton, Ohio as a medical bill processor. She is responsible for analyzing medical records and evaluating the eligibility of medical expenses for healthcare members, as well as sending out approved expenses for payment.
“It’s wonderful to begin my medical career, which I’ve dreamed of for a long time,” Wagner said. “Before UMA, I was like a turtle stuck in my shell. UMA really helped me grow and showed me my true potential. I was hesitant about going back to school, but I am so glad that I did it.”
During her time at UMA, Wagner was also selected as a UMA Student Ambassador, which requires students to not only have a 4.0 GPA, but also exemplify UMA’s mission and values, demonstrate academic achievement and be involved in the community. Wagner was also accepted into the Alpha Beta Kappa Honor Society for graduating at the top of her class.
“Seeing students like Grace do well after graduation makes all of us at Ultimate Medical Academy very proud,” UMA President Derek Apanovitch said. “We want all of our graduates to be successful, which is why we make sure our students have support from teachers, advisors and Career Services. We work with our students through every step of their education and well into their new careers in healthcare.”
“We are very happy to support Grace as she receives this recognition,” said Tari Tracy, Human Resources manager at Liberty HealthShare. “We are fortunate to have employees who have received such superb training and education. It’s no surprise they are so successful at their jobs.”
Prior to UMA, Wagner worked as a night shift associate at a big box retailer. Wagner credits her motivation and determination to her two children, who served as her inspiration during her pursuit of higher education and a career in healthcare.
“I’ve definitely come a long way,” Wagner said. “To people who are still debating on whether to get a degree, just take that leap. I have come so far in such a short time with the support I received from UMA. My dream to work in healthcare is now a reality.”
