“Before I found my path in Medical Coding, I was in the Nursing program at Belmont College. It wasn’t the right fit for me at the time, but life had other plans. After taking some time off, I returned, and my advisor pointed out I only needed 15 more credits to complete a Medical Coding & Billing Certificate. I made the switch, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.”
Belmont’s small class sizes were exactly what I needed as a recent high school graduate. I thrived with support from my instructors and felt like the entire staff genuinely wanted me to succeed. The foundation I built at Belmont helped launch everything that came next.
As a single mom working full time with a six-month-old, balancing school and life wasn’t easy. I lived by my planner, my Google calendar, and coffee. But the hard work paid off! I went from being a Physician Practice Coder to teaching Medical Coding at Belmont for two years. Today, I’m a Medical Coder for UPMC, specializing in Emergency Department, Trauma, and Observation coding.
Belmont didn’t just teach me technical skills. I learned how to think critically, adapt, and continue to acquire knowledge. I now work from home with a better work-life balance for my daughters, and I’m expecting a promotion to Emergency Department Coder II. My long-term goal is to move into management and help transform healthcare from the inside out.
Since completing my certificate at Belmont, I earned an Associate of Science in Health Information Management from Eastern Gateway Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration from the University of Cincinnati. I also hold three nationally recognized certifications: Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
If you’re considering Belmont College, know this: the environment is supportive, the instructors care, and the education can truly change your life, just like it did mine.