Ultimate Medical Academy Extends “Ripple Effect of Care” Through Community Partnership and Service
08 Mayo 2024 - 8:00AM
Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA), a non-profit institution entering
its 30th year of equipping and empowering learners to excel in
healthcare careers, is championing a Ripple Effect of Care with the
aim of nurturing community environments in which everyone can
achieve their full potential. This commitment is captured in a new
2022–23 report that speaks to the institution’s philosophy and
details its support of community causes related to healthcare,
education and social equity.
“The Ripple Effect of Care is a belief that when
people feel cared for, they are better equipped and empowered to
extend that care to others,” said UMA president Tom Rametta. “At
UMA, it starts with care for our team members who then extend care
to our learners. As graduates, those learners pass care along to
patients through their work with our healthcare employers
nationwide.”
The Ripple Effect of Care also extends into
UMA’s communities through philanthropy, partnership and
volunteerism, which is a cornerstone of UMA's community
engagement.
UMA encourages and supports volunteerism through
its Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program. This initiative empowers
every team member with up to eight paid hours annually to
contribute to causes close to their interests. In 2022 and 2023
combined, UMA team members logged more than 13,700 volunteer hours
in 24 U.S. states.
Organizations that UMA team members volunteered
with during that time include a diverse spectrum, from
community-level support at non-profits like Empath Health/Suncoast
Hospice, Children's Treatment Cancer Center and St. Jude's Catholic
School, to larger-scale organizations like the Lupus Foundation,
Girl Scouts of the USA, Salvation Army, the Humane Society and
American Legion posts.
UMA team members like Stephany Blair, Medical
Billing and Coding Lead Instructor, embody the institution's ethos
through personal involvement. Stephany's volunteer work in a food
desert community in Ohio highlights the impact of individual
actions within the larger ripple of care that UMA cultivates.
Blair shares, "It's about more than just
teaching; it's about actively making a difference where it's needed
most."
In addition to individual volunteerism, UMA
partners institutionally with organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay
/ Feeding America, the American Cancer Society (ACS), United Way
Suncoast and more.
In 2023, UMA launched a new year-round
partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise
awareness about heart-related illness, preventative measures and
the disproportionate impact of heart disease on women and
minorities. The partnership includes active involvement in the
AHA’s annual Go Red for Women campaign and Heart Walk as well as
educational initiatives and activities to support healthier
outcomes for UMA’s learners, partners, team members and
communities.
"Our partnership with the AHA has helped open
minds and create healthier lifestyles through greater awareness,"
said UMA Chief Financial & Strategy Officer Alexandra
Schaffrath who is a member of the AHA of Tampa Bay’s Go Red for
Women Executive Cabinet. "I regularly hear from team members,
partners and friends in the community that they now ‘know their
numbers’ and are taking steps to care for their hearts. This cause
applies the power of education to improve health and wellness,
which is a perfect match for an institution like ours.”
Other highlights in the report include:
- In
collaboration with Hillsborough County Public Schools and the
NAACP, UMA supports the EmpowerHer2 mentoring program, designed to
assist female students facing academic, attendance and behavioral
challenges.
- UMA
engages with organizations like Tampa Pride and St. Pete Pride to
support LGBTQ+ initiatives and diversity and inclusion.
- UMA has
been a longtime supporter of the American Cancer Society,
participating in events like the Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer walk to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and
patient care.
For UMA, the ripple effect of care isn't just a
philosophy—it's a lived reality, creating waves of positive change
that resonate far and wide.
To learn more about Ultimate Medical Academy's
community initiatives and view the full report, visit: Community
Outreach | Giving Back | Ultimate Medical Academy
About Ultimate Medical Academy: The
need for skilled healthcare workers in the United States continues
to grow. Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) is an accredited, nonprofit
educational institution that helps to meet that need by equipping
and empowering students to do vital work at the heart of
healthcare. In addition to offering diploma and degree programs,
UMA works closely with healthcare companies to connect students
directly to job opportunities.
Based in Tampa, Florida, and operating for 30
years, UMA offers hands-on learning at its main campus in
Clearwater, Florida as well as content-rich, interactive programs
through its online campus. The institution supports students
through every step of their journey with access to academic
support, interview and resume coaching, job search assistance,
technical support and more.
UMA has more than 85,000 alumni and more than
14,000 students nationwide. The institution also provides certified
continuing medical education (CME) through ongoing training and
professional development opportunities to physicians, nurses and
other medical professionals throughout the U.S. annually.
UMA is institutionally accredited by
the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES,
www.ABHES.org). The continuing medical education programs are
individually accredited and are not included within the
institution’s grant of accreditation from ABHES. Learn more by
visiting www.ultimatemedical.edu
Crystal L. Lauderdale
Ultimate Medical Academy
media@ultimatemedical.edu