Three recent graduates of Pierpont Community & Technical College’s Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program earned national recognition from American Medical Technologists (AMT), capturing first, second and third place in the organization’s Student Technical Writing Awards competition.
The annual competition challenges students to research and write on a healthcare-related technical topic while demonstrating professional-level analytical, writing and research skills.
The Pierpont winners are:
• First Place: Josie Reep, from Camden in Lewis County, “A Case of Naegleria fowleri: The Brain-Eating Amoeba”
• Second Place: Audrey Van Scoy, from Grafton, “Helicobacter pylori–Associated Gastritis Cystica Profunda: Case
and Laboratory Correlation”
• Third Place: Matthew Dukich, from Fairmont, “Primary Hyperaldosteronism: Hidden Behind Symptoms”
For Melissa White, MLT Program Director, the sweep reflects months of work completed alongside the demands of clinical education.
“Watching our students earn first, second and third place in the American Medical Technologists national technical writing competition is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to their dedication, perseverance and professionalism,” White said. “What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that these students conducted their research and completed the initial drafts of their case study papers while balancing the demanding schedules of their spring clinical practicums. After completing their clinical rotations, they revised and finalized their papers and developed professional research posters that were showcased on campus before graduation.
“Their commitment to advancing the medical laboratory profession through scholarship while excelling
in clinical training makes us incredibly proud. These awards reflect not only their hard work, but also the high standards of excellence our Medical Laboratory Technology program strives to instill in every graduate.”
Dr. Michael Waide, President of Pierpont and a member of the AMT National Board of Directors, said the achievement stands out on a national level.
“Serving on the American Medical Technologists National Board of Directors has given me an appreciation for the quality of work recognized through this competition,” Waide said. “For students from one institution to earn first, second and third place nationally is an exceptional accomplishment. Their success demonstrates the knowledge, critical-thinking abilities and professionalism that healthcare employers expect, while highlighting the strength of Pierpont’s Medical Laboratory Technology program and faculty.”
Medical laboratory professionals play a critical role in patient care, performing testing that helps detect disease, monitor treatment and support clinical decision-making. At Pierpont, students receive instruction in areas such as blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology and urinalysis while completing hands-on laboratory coursework and clinical practicums. Graduates are prepared for careers in hospitals, clinics, reference laboratories and other healthcare settings.
The award-winning papers were completed as part of the students’ academic and clinical training and later adapted into research presentations showcased on campus before graduation.
Editor’s Note: Photo shows, from left, Josie Reep, Audrey Van Scoy, and Matthew Dukich.
