Pushing Through the Doubts: Shalonda Holloway’s Journey to Become a Clinical Medical Assistant at 45

Shalonda Holloway had three good reasons to let go of her dream to become a Clinical Medical Assistant. She has a debilitating medical condition (Systematic Lupus Erythematosus), a daughter, Jordin, whose senior year in high school was an important time to share and support and, at 45-years old, Shalonda might have just waited too long to be a student again. But she had a formula for success that would push her though those doubts.

“I just prayed on it,” she says. “If this is not for me, let me go the other way. And that didn’t happen. That was my green light, and I didn’t stop.”

What was your first impression of SJVC’s Clinical Medical Assisting program?

I’d checked out the online Medical Billing and Coding program, but I wanted something more hands-on, more patient involvement. I wanted to deal with patients one-on-one. I also have two cousins who went in this direction, and both are doing phenomenally well.

I enrolled in December 2023 at the SJVC Ontario campus and when I got home, I shouted, “I’m going back to school!” I hadn’t told anybody what I was doing, because I wanted that moment to be for me. I was a ball of emotions and just knew it was the right thing.

Was your family supportive of your commitment to education?

Jordin was 100% on board and very excited for me to be going to SJVC. My identical twin sister, LaRonda, has been a Medical Assistant for 20-years and looked forward to going to work every day. When I told her I’d enrolled, she said, “It’s about time!”

My boyfriend, Anthony, was so happy that I’d enrolled. He was always my biggest cheerleader and a big part of my support team. God is my Number One support team member.

What was the best thing about your Clinical Medical Assisting program?

All the support; instructors, staff, students at SJVC. From the first time I talked with people who showed me around the campus, to the instructors being so involved and the students being so excited….everything was a ‘Yes!’ for me.

Did you get the instructor support you needed?

It was one instructor, mainly, and she was amazing. I loved everything about her (Maria Macias). She was structured, but any time any one of us needed help, we could go to her – inside or outside of school. Our class of 16-students met Mon-Thrs., 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM.

What was your greatest struggle?

In June 2024 (6-months into program) I woke up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain and was taken by ambulance to the hospital where I stayed for four days. I had emergency surgery and still only missed 4-days of school. Ms. Macias had been checking on me every day and reassuring me that I was ok in my class. I did everything that was required and passed that particular class with a high B.

At times it all felt like a lot, overwhelming. I had a lot of physical pain, but the meds would make me drowsy. I’d go to school, come home, do homework, sleep. It was a struggle, but I couldn’t let it stop me. There was no doubt in my mind that I could do this.

How did you pull through those medical incidents?

I knew that with my medical condition school would be a struggle. A nurse in my doctor’s office once questioned whether I could or should continue my Clinical Medical Assisting program. That was my moment, right there, to prove anyone who might doubt me, they were wrong. “There is no doubt in my mind that I can do this,” I told her. And saying it out loud gave me the strength, courage and willpower to do it.

What helped pull you out of these times of doubt?

Anthony was just always my cheerleader, a big part of my support team. Before a test he would always tell me, “You got this!”

I was always nervous when it came to taking tests and my technique was to study hard the day of the test, so that the information was fresh on my brain. It’s a system that worked for me.

What was the biggest surprise bout you being an older student?

That in a way it was like being back in high school – and I loved everything about high school. Everything was positive from the beginning. I got on the Honor Roll, the Dean’s List – whatever I set my mind to, I did it.

I had my supplies, my little sticky notes all organized in my backpack. I loved everything about it.

What was one of your favorite moments as a student?

When I took that last Mastery test and got an A. The whole class did amazingly well. The test was intermuscular injections and intradermal tests, using saline water to inject into each other. There was also a verbal and online test.

There was a little party at the school, and I got to take pictures with the instructors.

Is there someone in your life you like to emulate?

My aunt Annie Johnson is a retired nurse of 45-years who is an amazing person. I had the opportunity for her to assist me through many surgeries, monitoring me, nurturing me. I admire her strength to get up and do everything she does every day. She retired 5-6 years ago after 45-years.

What advice would you give to others who are hesitant to go back to school for a better career?

You are better than you think you are. You have to have strength, courage and the willpower to do it. Put one foot in front of the other and just….go! It’s your future and you’ve got to live it.

I live by this bible scripture: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”