On a warm August evening in 2025, the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated a milestone for 46 students who completed rigorous training in seven high-demand healthcare programs. The August 28 ceremony, held at the La Plata campus, marked the culmination of months of dedication, preparing these graduates to fill critical roles in Southern Maryland’s healthcare system. From dental assistants to practical nurses, these students are now equipped to address a pressing regional and national need for skilled professionals, stepping directly into careers that support community health.
The event began with remarks from Candi Hume, Professor and Department Chair for the School of Health Sciences, who praised the graduates’ commitment and the faculty’s unwavering support. “Tonight, we celebrate students who completed their programs with distinction and the faculty and staff who stood with them at every step,” Hume said. “Your support has shaped the next generation of health care leaders. As we reflect on the journey that brought us here, we also look ahead to the impact our graduates will have on the health and well-being of our community. Thank you for joining us in this celebration of readiness, resilience, and achievement.” Her words set a tone of pride and purpose, resonating with the packed auditorium of families, friends, and faculty.
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson followed, emphasizing the broader significance of the graduates’ achievements. “We are here to recognize 46 candidates who will enter careers that advance the health and safety of our region,” Wilson said. “Your decision to pursue these careers is more than a personal accomplishment. It is a commitment to meeting the needs of your community, one that will help ensure that care is available when and where it is needed most.” Wilson’s remarks highlighted the critical role these graduates will play in Southern Maryland, where healthcare facilities like MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital and CalvertHealth Medical Center rely on skilled professionals to serve growing populations.
The graduates represented seven distinct programs, each tailored to meet specific workforce demands. Dental Assistant Program completers mastered patient preparation, sterilization, and radiography, preparing them for the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety Examination. Phlebotomy Technician Program graduates, after completing 60 classroom hours, 90 clinical hours, and over 100 successful blood draws, are eligible for the NHA Phlebotomy Technician certification. Patient Care Technician Program participants, already certified as nursing assistants, advanced their expertise in EKGs, venipuncture, and wound care, with a focus on leadership and emotional intelligence.
The Emergency Medical Services Program trained students to provide life-saving pre-hospital care, a critical need in Southern Maryland’s rural areas where response times can be challenging. Medical Coding Program graduates learned to navigate complex ICD, CPT, and HCPCS systems, preparing them for roles in hospitals and clinics, with eligibility for the Certified Coding Associate exam. Medical Assisting Program completers are ready to handle both administrative and clinical tasks, from scheduling to performing basic lab tests. Finally, Practical Nursing Program graduates, honored with the traditional nursing pin, are equipped to care for patients with basic health needs, emphasizing optimal health outcomes.
Kelly Winters, Executive Director of Workforce Development Programs, closed the ceremony with a powerful reflection on the graduates’ future impact. “Today, you officially join a vital and ever-growing workforce over 22 million strong,” Winters said. “By completing your credential, you’re not just earning a certificate, you’re stepping into a role where your knowledge, heart, and hands will make a difference every single day.” Winters also pointed to the robust job market awaiting these graduates, citing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of 13 percent growth in healthcare occupations from 2021 to 2031, adding nearly 2 million jobs nationwide. “CSM’s Health Career Readiness programs are designed to help fill this gap, providing training that leads directly to jobs in hospitals, clinics, labs, and care facilities,” she added.
The ceremony was more than a celebration of academic achievement; it underscored CSM’s role in addressing Southern Maryland’s healthcare workforce shortages. With a regional population of over 150,000 across St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties, the demand for skilled healthcare workers is acute. Local hospitals and clinics, such as those in Leonardtown and Prince Frederick, face ongoing staffing challenges, particularly in roles like phlebotomy and medical assisting. CSM’s programs, offered at campuses in La Plata, Prince Frederick, and Leonardtown, are strategically designed to meet these needs, blending classroom learning with hands-on clinical experience.
Graduates now join a network of CSM alumni making tangible differences in Southern Maryland. For example, dental assistants will support practices in Waldorf and California, ensuring patients receive timely oral health education. Emergency medical technicians will bolster response teams in rural areas like Lusby or Mechanicsville, where quick interventions can save lives. The nursing pin recipients, in particular, carry forward a tradition of compassionate care, ready to serve in settings from skilled nursing facilities to community clinics.
The event also highlighted CSM’s commitment to workforce development, a priority since its founding in 1958. By offering accessible, high-quality training, the college ensures that Southern Maryland residents can pursue careers without leaving the region. Programs like these, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and partnerships with local healthcare providers, position CSM as a cornerstone of the region’s economic and social fabric.
As the graduates move forward, their credentials open doors to immediate employment and long-term career growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that roles like medical assistants and phlebotomists are among the fastest-growing occupations, with median annual wages in Maryland exceeding $40,000 for many of these positions. For Southern Maryland, where healthcare is a top employer, these graduates are poised to make an outsized impact, ensuring that quality care remains accessible to all.
