Ali Ross: A Medical Assistant Honoring Her Grandmother’s Legacy

Aliesha (Ali) Ross always looked up to her grandmother, a pediatrician who was absolutely adored by her patients and their families. Her grandmother worked at the clinic Ali went to as a child, so she loved following her around and learning about her job. Ali loved her grandma’s work so much that it inspired her to pursue a career in the medical field.

“Seeing the smiles my grandmother put on people’s faces, from a young age, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare,” Ali says.

Ali’s entry to the healthcare field came as a Certified Nursing Assistant. That’s where she truly fell in love with patient care. During her time as a CNA, one of her floor managers admired her skills and suggested that Ali try to move up the ladder in healthcare and look into more education. Ali felt so proud and confident that it inspired her to search for more opportunities. She ran a quick Google search and found Charter College’s Medical Assistant program. Then, she made a phone call and soon she was enrolled.

Gaining Real-World Medical Assistant Skills at Charter College

From the moment Ali walked through the doors at Charter College, it felt right.

“Charter felt so warm and welcoming when I got there,” says Ali “and when I walked in and met my instructor, Teather Askin, I knew she was going to be my lifeline.”

Ali says Teather quickly became one of her favorite teachers ever. Ali loved the way she taught courses and explained the Medical Assistant skills from her own 14-year career experience, sharing stories about what she saw out in the field and relating it to the coursework.

“Teather dives deep into the details, not just focusing on what’s in the book, but also preparing us for real-life situations,” says Ali.

With Teather’s teaching style and the hands-on practice she got through Charter’s lab exercises, Ali truly felt she was going to leave Charter with all the knowledge she’d need to be a Medical Assistant.

“The hands-on experience was crucial. Whether it’s understanding patient behavior or how to handle tough situations, Teather gave us the tools we needed to be successful,” says Ali.

A Medical Assistant Externship to Remember

After Ali completed her coursework, she was placed at the Billings Clinic for her externship. And it couldn’t have been a better fit! Assigned to the Pediatrics department, it was déjà vu, back to her experience as a child following her grandmother around. But this time, she was the one providing patient care. Ali got to put all her studies to good use, administering vaccines and even assisting with birth control implants and a circumcision. And her externship helped her gain experience so she could land a job. In her current role at Ideal Option in Billings, an outpatient treatment facility for addiction recovery, Ali works as both an MA and a phlebotomist, using the skills she learned from her time at Charter every day.

A Future in Healthcare

Even with a certificate in hand and a job she loves, Ali isn’t done learning. She’s back at Charter pursuing her Associate in Medical Assistant, once again led by Teather. And Ali has further aspirations after she graduates from her program.

“I’ve always been passionate about labor and delivery,” says Ali. “I’d love to work as a delivery nurse and eventually become a midwife.”

Ali went from watching her grandmother care for patients to doing it herself, and she could not be more proud of the progress she’s made so far. So much so that she wants to encourage anyone who’s considering taking that next life step to do so confidently.

“If you’re thinking about a career in the medical field, Charter is one of the best places to do it. It’s small, the instructors care, and they really want you to succeed,” Ali says.

Do you want to hear more about our amazing Medical Assistant graduates and instructors? Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more!