Health Sciences and Life Sciences

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I began at Gwinnett Tech in 2009 after fumbling to find my place in the field I wanted. After a sad moment at a temp agency and a quick glance at my resume, I was mentored to earn a higher education degree. With my red marked resume in hand, I enrolled in classes. After beginning at Gwinnett Tech, I fell in love with learning and was guided every step of the way, from registering for classes, to finding a way to pay for the school without massive loans. I was able to graduate with honors in 2011 with my degree in criminal justice. I received a full-time position in my field of study, one month after graduating. After six years in the industry, I have gained tremendous connections and have grown professionally. I entered the career field ahead of many of my co-workers, because of the education I received from Gwinnett Tech. Once I began working in the field I immediately realized why I needed the basics, such as English and Public Speaking. Every course I took played a vital role in gaining and retaining employment in my desired field.

With the skills I learned at Gwinnett Tech I was able to enroll in a 4-year college, with the help of my Gwinnett Tech advisor, and enrolled in classes to attain my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and will graduate May 2019.

With the guidance and pep-talk from my former Gwinnett Tech advisor, I am now enrolled in a competitive Master of Public Administration program and scheduled to graduate May 2021.

I have continued to grow and excel in my career, and would not have been able to attain any of the greatness that I have without the amazing guidance and the education I received at Gwinnett Tech.

From a young high school mother to a college graduate, holding two degrees and attaining a third means a great deal and makes me proud I to tell people how I got this far and what made me keep going. The guidance and the knowledge I gained at Gwinnett Tech was helpful in many ways and was a smooth transition for me so soon after high school.

I am thankful for the opportunities that were available to me at Gwinnett Technical College.

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Lance Adams has worked in the Bioscience and Pharmaceutical industries since May 2012. Having earned a Bioscience Technology degree from Gwinnett Technical College in 2012, he accepted a job immediately with Anitox, a global leader in the control of pathogens and other unwanted microbes. Lance worked in research and quality control for Anitox from May 2012 – September 2013. Tasks included research of new chemical and microbiological testing methods, live animal trials and analytical testing on raw material, manufactured goods and environment by titration, GC and UV-Vis spectrometer.

Currently he is a Site Services Coordinator with VWR. VWR is a leading, independent provider of laboratory products, services and solutions with worldwide sales in excess of $4.3 billion. Being onsite at Alcon, the global leader in eye care, he has performed services such as inventory management, chemical tracking and basic laboratory tasks on a daily basis since October 2013. Through hard work and dedication, he has been nominated to the HSE team at Alcon, and the Director Advisory Council for VWR.

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Kristina Palermino is a graduate of the Bioscience Technology degree program class of 2014. Kristina graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She strongly supports the Bioscience program at GTC because it lays a substantial foundation for basic science knowledge and laboratory skills. The hands-on curriculum is challenging, but she values the wisdom and expertise she gained from instructors with different specialties and work backgrounds.

Upon completing her internship at Yerkes National Primate Research Center, she was hired as a lab assistant in the Microbiology and Immunology Division. She decided to leave Yerkes NPRC to pursue her personal and professional goals by obtaining her bachelor’s degree at Kennesaw State University. Currently, Kristina is attending KSU full-time with full scholarship and hopes to return to Yerkes after graduating in 2016.

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Timisha Daniels, an Air Force medic and EMT veteran with more than 10 years of health care experience, originally entered the Radiologic Tech program at Gwinnett Tech. As she was completing her prerequisite courses for Rad Tech, Timisha became interested in the high demand field of Central Sterile Processing and quickly decided that was where she wanted to be.

Central Sterile Processing Technicians work with surgical equipment and instruments before and after surgeries. They help prevent patient infections by decontaminating, cleaning processing, assembling, sterilizing, storing and distributing the equipment, instruments and supplies used in surgery and other parts of the hospital. Read more about Central Sterile Processing.

After speaking with the Office of Veterans Affairs Timisha learned she could apply for the HOPE Career Grant and have her education completely paid for.

“I applied for the Hope Grant because the central sterile program is new to Gwinnett Tech and unfortunately caused a delay with receiving funds from the Veterans Affairs department. I was near the completion of the Central Sterile program and it was becoming difficult to maintain financially utilizing loans. I was unemployed once my clinical rotations began at North Fulton Hospital, and I wanted to make sure I completed my program without financial hurdles.”

“I am thankful for the Hope Career Grant.” Timisha will complete her program in December of 2017 and was able to use the funds to sit for the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) exam.

The HOPE Career Grant directly addresses specific workforce needs and is available to Georgia residents who are enrolled in a certificate or diploma program. To read and see more about the HOPE Career Grants Gwinnett Tech offers, please visit our HOPE Career Grant page.

Timisha lives in Snellville, GA and credits her success at Gwinnett Tech to the College’s Office of Veterans Affairs and supportive faculty who helped Timisha through the program. “Today, I am proud to be a Certified Sterile Processing Technician finishing her clinical rotation at North Fulton hospital in Roswell, Georgia.”

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Becky Depew came to Gwinnett Tech on the recommendation of family and friends. “I heard good things about the Gwinnett Tech health care program, and because the variety of classes and programs appealed to me. Gwinnett Tech offers the ability to take classes online and in traditional classroom settings, which appealed to me.”

“My passion for helping people is why I chose to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). I truly enjoy helping people. Being able to make someone smile, at what could possibly be the worst time of their lives is why I do what I do.”

“The CNA program at Gwinnett Tech provided me not only classroom study, but clinical experience, where I was able to gain hands-on learning and experience. That opportunity allowed me get my foot in the door where I currently work.”

I highly recommend Gwinnett Tech’s CNA program; the opportunities to work directly with patients through our clinical experiences was invaluable. I truly feel without those experiences; I would not be working today. My instructors guided me through my education and helped me every step of the way.

Becky felt the completion of the CNA program was the beginning to a lifelong career in healthcare. After she earned her CNA certificate, Becky didn’t stop learning! “With my passion for helping people and hands-on learning at my job, I am now pursuing my Registered Nursing (RN) degree at Gwinnett Technical College.”

Becky completed her CNA program in 2015 and works at Gwinnett Medical Center in the Neuroscience Unit.

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When it came time to choose her career path, Rachel [Phillips] Butts knew she wanted to work in dental health.

“I had only heard great things about Gwinnett Tech,” she said. “I discovered they had my program of study and that it was very hands-on learning. I knew this would be the best option for me.”

Rachel entered the Dental Assisting program and began preparing for her future.

“Throughout the program, my two program teachers – Leanna Harding and Amy Weaver- were my mentors. They were great teachers who really prepared us with everything we needed to be successful in the workplace,” Rachel said.

Thanks to two internships during her time at Gwinnett Tech, Rachel also gained real-world experience – and a permanent job after graduation.

“My second internship was at Duluth Dental Services, where I now work as the dental assisting and treatment coordinator,” she said. “I’m able to assist Dr. Geoghegan during procedures, educate patients on oral health and help them with their insurance as well as perform general office duties. Both he and his assistant Tammy have walked alongside me as I continue to learn.”

Her favorite part of her job? “I have really enjoyed building relationships with the patients.”

When she looks back on her education, Rachel is thankful for her time at Gwinnett Tech.

“Everything I learned in the classroom applied to my work environment,” she said. “The hands-on learning really prepared me for success.”

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Working as a full-time server while maintaining a full-time class schedule is no easy feat, and Angel Esquivel credits the support and mentorship of her Dental Assisting Program Director Lea Anna Harding and instructor Amy Weaver. “They believed in me, even when I wasn’t quite sure I was going to make it,” Angel said.

During her time at Gwinnett Technical College, Angel worked hard to balance her school load with her workload, managing to graduate with a 4.0 GPA and the 2016 Distinguished Student Award. “Once I got home after work, I stayed up even later to study for my classes and exams,” she said. “I was also involved with Phi Theta Kappa society and the National Technical Honor Society.”

One of her favorite parts of the Dental Assisting program was the clinical internship, where she worked with, and learned from, local dentist Dr. Zachary Hyun Kim. “I respect how he even challenged me at times to keep me on track,” she said.

Angel credits her success in her field to the hands-on experience her classes and internship provided – “It’s more than just learning everything in the books”.

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Sarah Purvis remembers the day, as a high school student, that she underwent a thyroid ultrasound exam. She was nervous and uncomfortable, but, her ultrasound tech was understanding and educational.

“He showed me the monitor on his ultrasound machine, told me about the profession and put me at ease,” Sarah said. “Ever since that appointment, I developed a strong interest in that career field.”

Sarah’s family moved from California to Gwinnett in 2014 and she began researching CAAHEP accredited schools for diagnostic medical sonography. “While there were several other schools reasonably close, I discovered Gwinnett Tech offered the highest standards for the program and their success rates in the workforce are extremely high,” she said.

“Since starting the program, I’ve encountered the most passionate healthcare professionals. At clinical sites, the techs are constantly teaching us how to be better and more useful in the medical field. Our instructor’s passion has encouraged us to not only grow in our skills, but also in our character and heart.”

Sarah is president of Gwinnett Tech’s Student Sonography Association and a member of the Lambda Nu National Honors Society. She is also in the Workforce Initiative and Opportunity Act program. “This has helped me achieve my goal of graduation by providing me financial support for required material and tuition.”

For Sarah, her career can’t start soon enough. “I really enjoy the interaction with patients, the process of the actual exam, and the fascinating medical cases encountered on a regular basis. I have always desired to work in a field where I can help those in need and benefit a large population – diagnostic medical sonography fulfills that desire.”

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Why did you choose Gwinnett Tech?
Gwinnett Tech was not only a very convenient campus to attend based on its location, but I was also very aware of the positive reputation the school had for many programs, particularly that of the Radiologic Technology Program.

What is your favorite thing about Gwinnett Tech?
My favorite thing about Gwinnett Tech would have to be the countless opportunities that are made available to its students. Class sizes offer students to obtain important skills both in a group setting but also in an intimate setting if needed.

What inspired you to pick your program/career/industry?
In 2006, my mother graduated from the very same program at Gwinnett Tech. I remember coming to campus when I was much younger to help her practice by being a “pretend patient”. Even at such a young age, I recall thinking that the material they were being taught was extremely interesting. As years passed, my mother would always tell me how much she truly loved her job and expressed how rewarding it was. Before long, I found myself on the very same career path as my mother 13 years later!

Has/How has enrollment in this program helped you accomplish your dreams?
Prior to enrolling in this program, I knew I wanted to pursue a profession where I felt as though I was truly making a difference. Oddly enough, I was wrapping up the program when COVID-19 was at its worse. While these were very trying times, this program provided me with the skillset for the unthinkable. I am very proud of the fact that I was able to fight on the frontlines of the virus, and none of that would have been made possible without this program.

Any advice for those interested in your program?
Like many professions in healthcare, Radiologic Technology is not for everybody! However, with great determination, eagerness to learn, and a passion to help others, this program is a wonderful decision. Those wishing to pursue a career in this field will need to invest many hours into this program. One thing I can promise is that hard work ALWAYS pays off.

Any advice for those interested in enrolling at Gwinnett Tech?
For anyone interested in enrolling in Gwinnett Tech, I would say do it! Gwinnett Tech is one of few schools in the area that offers unique programs that put out high-quality workers. The school also manages to offer these opportunities in a way that is much more financially attainable than most others.

Do you have any faculty/staff that helped you or that you connected with at Gwinnett Tech?
Absolutely! It did not take long for both my instructors and classmates to become my “second family” while enrolled in the program. To this day, I still keep in close contact with most of my instructors and classmates. The bonds you form with people while in this program are unlike any other.

What are you most proud of accomplishing/experiencing at Gwinnett Tech or because of your enrollment at Gwinnett Tech?
Again, I would have to say the opportunity to work on the frontlines during the peak of the COVID-19 virus would by far be my proudest accomplishment of this program. It was very difficult at times, but I was honored to be the one to care for these patients when they were not even able to see their own families. Because of the virus, I had to learn to apply my skills very quickly after graduation. Many negatives may have come from this terrible virus, but I truly feel I would not be the technologist I am today if it were not for my experiences working during it.

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Connie Gonzalez-Salmeron began her career as a medical assistant and functioned in both front-end position and back office administrative positions. These early beginnings served as the foundation for Connie’s quest for leadership and in 2009, she opened a payroll and benefits company, which grew from the payroll processing of 20 employees to over 2,000 within the first six months. In 2013, Connie sold that company to focus on her nursing career and eventually made her way to the Cardiovascular Care Unit (CVC) at Northside Hospital Gwinnet (NHG) as a professional registered nurse. She was recently named the new nurse manager of the CVC.

Completing her ADN (Registered Nurse) at Gwinnett Technical College and her BSN degree at Columbus State University (CSU) in 2020, she is now re-enrolled at CSU to complete her MSN degree with an anticipated graduation in 2023. Connie also maintains both her PCCN and CCRN professional board certifications through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). Leadership is Connie’s passion, and she lives by a famous quote from Kobe Bryant, “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”

Connie is married to Francisco Salmeron, and together they have four beautiful children: Anthony (21), Adrian (15), Andrew (13), and Arianna (6). In her spare time, Connie enjoys just spending time on the farm with their children and miniature collection of farm animals. They also love taking the RV on the road with camping and hiking expeditions.