MEDICAL ASSISTANT TRAINING Program
Michael Glorioso
Residency Program Coordinator
mglorioso@healthlincchc.org
Brenda Riley
Clinical Nurse Eduator briley@healthlincchc.org
HealthLinc, in partnership with the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA), is helping to expand access to health care by training its future leaders in the healthcare community. Students who join HealthLinc’s Medical Assistant Training Program gain hands-on learning and experience in our primary care clinics throughout northern Indiana. They receive the knowledge needed to advance their future with a guaranteed job during and after the program.
- To provide educational opportunities for career advancement in the medical assisting field
- Enable graduates to gain the competencies, skills, productivity, and knowledge to assist as an entry-level medical assisting professional
- Offer debt-free education through an accredited medical assisting training program (Note: book and supply fees are deducted from pay)
- Increase the number of certified medical assistants within the HealthLinc organization as well as our communities
- 8-month program with online learning and on-site experience, totaling 240 externship hours across four terms
- Online work is estimated at 15-25 hours per week, depending on each student’s pace
- 12 hours a week of on-site clinical experience at a HealthLinc clinic
- 2-4 hours weekly or semi-monthly skills practice at our Corporate Training Center with a HealthLinc skills coach
- 1 hour per week of National Synchronous Session and Huddles with NIMAA instructor and skills coach, typically via online interactive discussions
- 4 interactive weeks with no clinical hours used for student case studies
- Preparation for Medical Assistant Certification
- 18 years of age and older
- Valid proof of identification
- Reliable transportation to training and clinics
- A high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) certificate, or equivalent
- Proficient in verbal and written English
- Must be able to work part-time (maximum of 24 hours) as a patient service representative (PSR), phone operator, or scheduler while completing the NIMAA program
- Must sign a 2 year mandatory employment agreement
- COVID-19 vaccination or a medical or religious exemption
2023 HealthLinc NIMAA Cohort: TBA
- Complete a five-question online pre-screening interview
- Complete application to be posted at a later date
- Attend an in-person interview with HealthLinc’s residency coordinator, site operations director, and skills coach
- Participate in a phone interview with NIMAA admissions team
- Complete externship interview questions
- Pass pre-employment drug screening and background check
- COVID-19 vaccination or a medical or religious exemption
- Application fee: $25 (non-refundable) paid by HealthLinc
Note: The application fee will only be charged once NIMAA has confirmed externship locations in your state. Payment of the application fee must be received before you can advance to the next stage of the admissions process (phone interview). - Tuition: $6,000 paid by HealthLinc
- Program fees (includes all textbooks, equipment required, CPR certification, immunizations needed, cost of practice and final national certification examination): $760 paid by HealthLinc employee (payroll deduction of $25 per paycheck)
- $6,785 value at a cost of $760 to the student
Specific questions about the Medical Assistant Training Program should be addressed to the residency program coordinator at maprogram@healthlincchc.org or 219-413-5100, Ext. 2904.
From an early age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I went to school for nursing but unfortunately didn’t get into the program, causing me to change my major and turn away from my dream. After graduating, I discovered HealthLinc’s Medical Assistant Training Program and decided to apply. I am overjoyed knowing that I can go back to the medical field to pursue my dream and not worry about the financial burden that comes with schooling.
When I graduated high school in 2020, I never thought I’d be in the medical field. However, the pandemic changed that. I have worked in the medical field for two years and am now ready to become a medical assistant. To have the opportunity that I have today, to be able to receive an education with the financial help of HealthLinc, is amazing. I am beyond grateful and eager to step into the process of becoming an MA. So far, working with the HealthLinc staff has been a great experience, and I look forward to gaining a better relationship with patients and our providers.
In high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career. After going between many options, my sister suggested medical assisting, and it stuck with me. However, school is expensive, and I didn’t want that debt, so when a coworker mentioned the program, I applied. I am excited to start this new chapter in my life without the debt that comes with schooling and look forward to starting the journey to reaching my goals in life and as a healthcare worker.
In my teenage years, my grandmother got sick and was admitted into a nursing home. That is when I realized there was a shortage of medical assistants and other caregivers in this field. At that early age, I learned how important it was to have your loved one in the hands of someone who would give them no less than amazing care. Once I became aware of this program, I immediately reached out about applying. Knowing I have the chance to chase my dream, have job security and not have the financial burden to stress about, it became an opportunity I couldn’t miss. It’s been an amazing experience so far. All the staff are very friendly, helpful and thorough. Anyone looking to build a career in health care will benefit from this
program.
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HealthLinc, Inc. receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
Lilia Bonilla - Family Nurse Practitioner
Site Medical Director
Lilia Bonilla is the Site Medical Director and a Nurse Practitioner in Family Medicine. She is board certified with over 19 years of experience as a highly skilled and dedicated family nurse practitioner. Lilia provides comprehensive care for a wide variety of patients with diverse needs. She has extensive experience in family and adult medicine, women’s health and pediatrics. Lilia is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and American Nurses Association. She also serves as a preceptor and mentor for Nurse Practitioner Residents. Lilia is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Specialties: Family Practice, Women’s Health, Pediatrics
Diana Garcia Burns - Family Nurse Practitioner
Diana Garcia Burns has been serving East Chicago for over 30 years. She is experienced in family medicine, emergency medicine, public health, and administration. Diana is board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is certified in Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Life Support, and Stroke Care. She is currently an instructor for the American Heart Association and a member of the Indiana Nurses Association (INA), American Nurses Association (ANA) and American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Specialties: Emergency Medicine, Public and Environmental Health
Dr. Ed S. Hassan - Internal Medicine
Dr. Hassan has practiced medicine on four continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, giving him a unique perspective to health care. He received additional training in Internal Medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Hassan is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American College of Physicians. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Arabic.
Specialties: Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma, Elevated Blood Cholesterol
Nadine Salman - Family Nurse Practitioner
Nadine Salman delivers patient-centered care from infancy to adulthood by providing education and counseling on health promotion and disease prevention. She serves as an advocate by working in a partnership with patients and families to provide holistic care. Nadine’s passion is to give patients the tools and knowledge to help them make better health choices so they can live longer and healthier.
Specialties: Pediatrics, Disease Prevention, Adult Health and Wellness Promotion
Jessica Sinclair - Clinical Pharmacist
Dr. Carl Toren - Pediatrician
Dr. Toren’s practice is focused on the health of children, both for the present and the future. He partners with families to monitor a child’s growth, development, nutrition, and safety, while following expert guidelines for vaccinations and screenings. If sickness comes, he offers comprehensive examinations, tests to discover the cause and then arranges any necessary treatment and follow-up. Dr. Toren is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Specialties: Pediatric Development, Pediatric Nutrition, Immunizations
Charita Weekly - Family Nurse Practitioner
Charita Weekly’s number one priority is providing excellent, comprehensive health care. She serves the entire family with a focus on promoting health and maintenance. Each approach is age specific to her patient and transitions throughout their life span. With emphasis on disease prevention and wellness, she treats the whole person and assists in achieving a higher quality of life.
Specialties: Family, Medical Examiner for the Department of Transportation, Disease Prevention
Dr. Firas Adhami - Dentist
Dr. Firas Adhami is committed to alleviating the health disparities of the underserved. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Prosthodontics Award from the American College of Prosthodontics. In May 2016, he published an article in the Journal of the American Dental Association entitled “Soft-tissue calcification on a panoramic radiograph.” Dr. Adhami maintains active memberships in the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.
Specialties: Extractions, Root Canal Therapy, Prosthodontics
April Chaja - Dental Hygienist
LaTonya Cooper - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
HealthLinc, Inc. is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n)