Student Spotlight: How a BAMA Graduate Transformed Compassion into Clinical Confidence

When Jane Oluchi Cleage, UCSF-sponsored Bay Area Medical Academy medical assisting graduate, reflects on her journey into healthcare, she begins with a childhood memory.

“I was born into a large family back in Nigeria,” she says. “As a little child, I always helped my peers when they were injured, using what we called Elizabeth leaves to stop their injuries from bleeding.” Even that young, something felt clear to me: “There is this caring, compassion, and empathy I possess. It flows naturally.”

That instinct to care was partly shaped by her mother’s unrealized dream. “My mother wanted to be a nurse, but circumstances couldn’t let that dream become a reality,” she explains. “I thought to myself, I want a career where I would have the opportunity to help people.”

After earning a science degree in Child Development and working extensively with children, her direction became even more focused. “These personal experiences and my passion for helping others, providing compassionate care and making meaningful differences in people’s lives, inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare.”

When it came time to choose a training program, she was deliberate. “I decided to pursue medical assisting at Bay Area Medical Academy because it provides practical training, flexible scheduling, acknowledged credentials, financial assistance, robust career services, and a positive learning atmosphere,” she says. She wanted more than theory; she wanted preparation that reflected the realities of patient care.

Her experience in the UCSF-sponsored Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy and EKG Program, she says, was transformative. “In the best way conceivable, my time in BAMA’s Medical Assisting program was both hard and life changing.” The pace was demanding, but purposeful. “The program blends rigorous hands-on practice with structured academic study to encourage ongoing application of knowledge rather than passive recall.”

From the start, Jane was immersed in clinical skills. “I was engaged in taking vital signs, administering injections, conducting EKGs, drawing blood, and practicing professional and compassionate patient interactions,” she explains. Just as important were the instructors. “They were not only knowledgeable but genuinely invested in our growth. They consistently offered clear guidance, constructive feedback, and real clinical insight that helped greatly.”

One moment stands out vividly. “When I successfully conducted a venipuncture on a real patient for the first time in phlebotomy lab, it was one of my favorite experiences at BAMA,” she recalls. “It was thrilling and comforting to feel the vein’s little ‘give’ and watch the blood flow effortlessly into the tube after endless practice on simulation arms.”

For her, that experience represented more than technical success. “It was the point at which all of the lessons learned in the classroom—safety procedures, effective technique, and patient communication—came together in an actual clinical situation. In addition to giving me more self-assurance, that experience validated my readiness to provide competent and professional patient care.”

Today, Jane works as a Patient Care Assistant for Sutter Health. “I support patients with daily care needs, assist the nursing staff, and help maintain a safe, compassionate environment for everyone under our care,” she says. Her days include taking vital signs, assisting patients, supporting nurses, and documenting care. “The hands-on training at BAMA and UCSF prepared me well by giving me the clinical skills, confidence, and workflow experience I use every day.”

The transition into the workforce felt natural. “The transition into my new job was seamless and smooth because the hands-on training closely matched real clinical workflows,” she explains. Still, there was a shift. “The biggest adjustment was taking full responsibility for patient care rather than practicing under supervision. I was suddenly the person that patients turned to.”

Even so, she felt ready. “I felt prepared by the repetition and real-world situations from laboratories and externships,” she says. “I was able to swiftly adjust to new protocols, electronic systems, and team dynamics because of the professionalism that was stressed during training. All in all, rather than feeling like a jump, the shift felt like a natural step forward.”

The skills she developed during the program continue to guide her. “I consistently apply analytical thinking, clear communication, effective time management, collaborative skills, and professional discipline I developed at BAMA to perform successfully in my current role,” she shares. “These skills ensure safe, efficient patient care.”

Looking ahead, her goals are clear. “In the future, I want to rise in the healthcare industry by developing my clinical expertise and eventually taking on a more senior patient care position,” she says. “BAMA and UCSF have provided me with the self-assurance, practical experience, and professional discipline I needed to take those initial steps. It helped me see a clear route for long-term success in the medical industry.”

For those considering a future UCSF-sponsored Bay Area Medical Academy medical assisting with phlebotomy and EKG program, Jane’s advice is simple and sincere. “Approach it with an open mind. Maintain consistency in your practice, and make the most of it,” she says. “Although the curriculum advances quickly, you will graduate with confidence and be prepared for the clinical setting if you maintain your focus, ask questions, and use your teachers as resources.”

Jane’s story is not just about career advancement. It is about purpose fulfilled and turning compassion into competence, and a childhood instinct to help into a profession grounded in skill, confidence, and care.