Knoxville News
Campus News & Events
Not Just a Job
Single mom Summer Rauton knows just how important being part of a family is-and she has found those "family" ties not only with her two children, but in her work and education as well. As a medical assistant for University Family Physicians in Knoxville, she knows she has a special place in the hearts of many families.
"I love our patients, especially kids," she says. "I've gotten to see a few of our patients birth their babies; they come and bring me pictures, I get invited to their birthday parties."
It wasn't always so wonderful. For six years, Summer worked in the food service industry where the environment was not quite so family-like. But that all changed when she graduated from the Knoxville Campus' medical assisting program in 2007.
"I had been thinking about going to school" back in 2005, she explains. "I was young, 20...I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field." She made an appointment to meet with an admissions representative at the campus, and quickly decided National was the school for her. It was hard, raising a child on her own, working, and attending class in the evenings. But she credits her instructors, especially Director of Healthcare Education Rhonda Epps, with being her inspiration. "Definitely Rhonda," answers Summer when asked who her favorite instructor was. "She really pushed me."
At the busy family practice, Summer enjoys the wide variety of patients she sees. "We see everything from pregnancy to geriatrics," she says. "I give immunizations, assist in minor office surgeries, opening and dressing wounds, blood pressure, EKG...we do it all!" The experience has made her determined to eventually return to school and become a registered nurse. "I'm glad God led me here...it's been really fun."
