Graduates of physical therapist assistant program at NVCC honored at pinning ceremony Jan. 6

The 2006 graduating class from NVCC’s physical therapist assistant program includes, from left to right: Andrea Schaffino, Sarah Briggs, Amy Szymanski,
Megan Bowerman, Michael Martinez, Emily Rousseau, Jackie Gilbert, Cherisse Reid, Lena Pellegrino, and Sarah Anderson.

WATERBURY (Jan. 8, 2007) — The 2006 graduating class from Naugatuck Valley Community College’s physical therapist assistant (PTA) program was honored on Saturday, Jan. 6, with a pinning ceremony on campus.

The two-year program, which confers an associate degree in science, runs from January to December. Its graduates become assistants to physical therapists and work in hospitals, school systems, private offices, home health agencies, industry, rehabilitation hospitals and nursing homes. PTAs help physical therapists implement treatment programs, train patients in exercises and activities of daily living, and educate patients.

The program is offered through a collaborative agreement that includes NVCC, Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Housatonic Community College, Capital Community College, Manchester Community College and Tunxis Community College. General education courses are taken at the students’ home campuses, while the physical therapist assistant courses are taken at NVCC.

The 2006 graduating class includes:

• East Haddam resident Sarah Anderson, a Tunxis Community College student;
• Trumbull resident Megan Bowerman, an NVCC student;
• Southington resident Sarah Briggs, a Tunxis Community College student;
• Middletown resident Jackie Gilbert, an NVCC student;
• Waterbury resident Michael Martinez, an NVCC student;
• Terryville resident Lena Pellegrino, an NVCC student;
• Plantsville resident Cherisse Reid, an NVCC student;
• Southington resident Emily Rousseau, an NVCC student;
• West Hartford resident Andrea Schaffino, a Tunxis Community College student;
• And Wallingford resident Amy Szymanski, an NVCC student.
  

In addition to associate degrees for physical therapist assistants, NVCC offers several other allied health programs to train professionals as health care providers. They include associate degree programs in nursing, radiologic technology and respiratory care; as well as continuing education certificates for certified nurse aides and patient care technicians. NVCC also provides a wide range of continuing education programs for those already working in health care.

NVCC serves more than 5,600 students from 35 communities across western Connecticut from Litchfield to Waterbury to Seymour to Southbury and Danbury. Its main campus is located at 750 Chase Parkway off Exit 18 on Interstate 84.