Lessli Hernandez-Gomez looked down at her patient, carefully planning her next move.
The mission? To draw the patient’s blood. Perfection equals finding a vein in a single stick.
“She’s stuck me a million times before,” said Kutter Gillespie, lying on a bed while Hernandez-Gomez hovers. “I trust her completely.”
Hernandez-Gomez and Gillespie are studying to become patient care technicians, or PCTs, at Ultimate Medical Academy, a nonprofit allied health school that caters to nontraditional students. On a recent Wednesday, the pair practiced taking vitals and drawing blood.
“I want be an EMT and paramedic, nurse practitioner or RN,” said Hernandez-Gomez, 27. “I like helping people. I’m always a helper."
Ultimate Medical Academy opened its Tampa campus on April 3 for Leadership Tampa’s Education Day. The group of nearly 50 professionals in Leadership Tampa’s Class of 2024 is nearing the end of a nine-month training program designed to cultivate leadership skills, build new relationships and provide an education in the major industries and systems of commerce and government in Tampa and the state of Florida.
Education Day is the 11th program day for the cohort, whose members also have been exposed to training focusing on agriculture, healthcare, first responders, arts and culture, the military and media. The education component featured visits to Mort Elementary, the University of South Florida, Pepin Academies and Chamberlain High School, where culinary students prepared lunch for LT class members.
The day began at the University of South Florida’s Research Park with a panel discussion featuring three college presidents: Dr. Kenneth Atwater, Hillsborough Community College; Rhea Law, the University of South Florida and Dr. Ronald Vaughn, the University of Tampa.
USF’s Joanne Sullivan, LT ‘91, led the trio in a talk about each institution’s distinguishing characteristics and accomplishments. Vaughn, who will retire in May after almost 30 years at the University of Tampa, had advice for the LT ‘24 class.
“It’s really important that you keep learning,” he said. “Keep learning and try to nourish that for the others in your organization.”
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The musical theatre teacher called his first student to perform. The teen grimaced and made her way to the back of the room, waited for the music and sauntered toward the stage as she shared a sweet rendition of “The Hills are Alive,” from The Sound of Music. Next, came a duet. And finally, “Mr. Cellophane Man,” a tune from Chicago about a man society views as a nobody.
“I love this,” said LT 24’s Mitchel Allen.
The students at Pepin Academies’ Tampa campus, were set to debut The Sound of Music later that week.
“I might have to sneak back and buy a ticket even if I don’t come, LT ‘24’s Mike Smith gushed as he left the auditorium.
His classmate, Kyle Howry, heaped praise on the students.
“They were so nervous,” Howry said. “But they did amazing.”
Led by Dr. Jeff Skowronek, Pepin Academies aims to provide a traditional educational experience for students with learning disabilities. The school has more than 380 students at its Tampa campus and has campuses in Riverview and New Port Richey. Pepin, a public charter school, features a standard curriculum, a variety of electives and offers rehabilitative services including occupational, speech and language therapy.
“We don’t do anything better here,” Skowronek said. “We do it different.”
Before Pepin Academies, Skowronek worked at the University of Tampa, where he taught child psychology. He was Senate president and had been named faculty member of the year.
“I gave it all up to get the opportunity to do this,” he said. “To live this life and to have an impact that cannot be measured.”
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Back at UMA, Gillespie turned his head toward Hernandez-Gomez.
“What are you using an ETI or butterfly?”
“Butterfly,” she said, carefully inserting a needle into his outstretched arm.
Instructor Linda Kennedy observed.
“Did you get him,” Kennedy asked.
“Yeah,” Hernandez-Gomez said. “First stick.”
Kennedy leaned in closer. Actually, Hernandez-Gomez missed the vein. Kennedy coached her on what to do if this happens in a clinical setting.
Hernandez-Gomez listened intently. Her dreams squarely in front of her, she will try again.
