Kimberly Merriman and Sheena Teal both agree that Stanly Community College (SCC) paved the way for their success in the healthcare field. Both sisters knew at a very early age they wanted to help others, especially when they got sick.
Kimberly, the eldest sister, earned her Respiratory Therapy degree in 2004 from SCC, and soon after moved to upstate New York. It was at Samaritan Medical Center (SMC) where she found a passion for saving lives and treating all aspects of patients in different settings. Kimberly currently works at SMC as a Respiratory Therapist. “It’s so rewarding to be able to have a career that makes a difference in someone’s life,” Kimberly said. “I can honestly say that I love my work. I manage ventilators, work alongside the pulmonologist, and provide care for patients in all areas of the hospital.” Kimberly is a devoted wife and loving mother of six children, and wants potential students to know,“No matter how tough it gets, don’t give up!”
Sheena, the youngest in the family, graduated from SCC in 2017 from the Pharmacy Technology program. She, too,started her educational journey at SCC enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy program, but shortly into the program,realized Respiratory was not for her. “What inspired me to start the Pharmacy Technology program began with my dad battling stomach cancer,” Sheena said. “He had special tubes and medications that needed to be administered every day. I learned every aspect of how to mix, crush, measure and administer his medications. I wanted my dad to get the very best care possible during his battle with cancer,” she explained.
Sheena is a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and recently started her career at Carolinas Medical Center-Charlotte (CMC-Main), as a Pharmacy Technician I. “I always knew that I wanted to be in the healthcare field helping people, but I didn’t know I would end up with a pharmacy career that I absolutely love,” she said. Sheena did her clinicals at CMC-Main for two semesters and when she finished, CMC was so impressed with her that she was hired before she graduated. “It was an awesome feeling to have a job before I graduated. I didn’t have to deal with all the stress of finding a job and doing interviews.” Sheena is also a devoted wife and mother, and wants potential students to know, “Have an open mind because you never know what you are going to love unless you try it!”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs.”
Stanly Community College offers associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and continuing education in various healthcare professions through seated and online options. We invite you to visit the Crutchfield Education Center, our Allied Health Signature Campus, located in Locust, to see firsthand the commitment to excellence and the people who assist students in achieving their educational dreams and goals. For more information, visit the College’s website at www.stanly.edu
