Health studies a family affair for Gilbert Family

In today's competitive job market, having the right training, experience and a positive attitude makes all the difference. For one Gilbert family, taking the first step toward a new career in healthcare started with their mother. A short time later, it became a family affair with three members of the Tedesco family attending classes at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) in Mesa.

Cindy Tedesco, 53, first learned of EVIT when her two sons, Aaron, 20 and Kevin, 21, attended the automotive and construction programs as high school students. At the time, she was working at a hospital as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) but knew she wanted to continue her education and eventually transition to a job in a physician's office.

"In speaking with doctors about jobs that were in demand with opportunity for growth, several suggested I consider getting certified as a medical assistant" said Cindy Tedesco, who started the two-year Medical Assistant program in August.

A medical assistant can perform administrative and clinical tasks such as collect and prepare laboratory specimens, prepare and administer medications, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings under a doctor's supervision.

"While I had done poorly as a student in elementary and high school, learning as an adult student is completely different. I love learning and acting as a mentor to some of the younger students in my class" she added.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population, there will be an increased need for all healthcare workers.

Cindy's two sons, inspired by her dedication to go back to school, followed in her footsteps and registered for the Sterile Processing and Distribution (SPD) program at EVIT. During the 18-week program, Aaron and Kevin are learning how to clean, sterilize and package medical and surgical supplies. The SPD course is taught in a state-of-the-art lab with equipment and training provided through a Veteran's Administration (VA) partnership. They hope to land jobs working in a hospital or surgery center upon completion of the program.

To learn more about EVIT's Adult Education program, visit www.evit.com/adulted or call 480-461-4028.

Rep. Mitchell and Mayor Smith kick off program

EVIT welcomed U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith on campus today to kick off the school's new Sterile Processing and Distribution (SPD) course.

SPD is a new program, starting in August, for high school seniors and graduates under the age of 22. Students will learn all about how to properly sterilize hospital equipment to prevent the spread of infectious bacteria and diseases within a hospital. Once students have completed the 10-month program, they'll have an opportunity to complete a 140-hour internship with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Once the internship is done, the students will be qualified to apply to work in the SPD field in any VA facility across the country!

The VA has been a great partner in bringing this program to EVIT. They put more than $1 million worth of renovations and equipment into the Health Sciences Center and they'll use the facilities to hold training courses for some of their own employees. It's a great example of a partnership that benefits a current industry need and the development of skills for our future workforce!

Rep. Mitchell came out in support of the program, as did Mayor Smith.


After a few brief speeches, all of our guests took a tour of the new facilities and saw a demonstration by some of EVIT's surgical technology students in the operating room lab.