LVPG Medical Assistants Are Driven by Purpose, Guided by Growth

This Medical Assistants Recognition Week, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is shining a spotlight on three incredible medical assistants of Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG). They each took different paths to get here, but all share a common dedication to helping others and making an impact in the lives of their patients.

Daniel Brown came from a background in construction, with no medical experience. “I never thought I’d be wearing comfortable shoes and working in climate control,” he says with a smile. “But it’s more than that. The attention to detail required in this role is crucial. If you don’t follow proper procedures, it can cause more issues down the line. It’s very rewarding to know I’m making a difference.”

Like Brown, Melissa J. Smith also transitioned into the medical field from a different profession. After working in drug and alcohol counseling, she was searching for a way to make a bigger impact. “I knew I always wanted to help people, but I wasn’t sure how,” Smith recalls. “I’m so proud to be a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and doing the work that I’m doing. Helping people and being there for them.”

For Brown, learning how to take manual blood pressure readings was unexpectedly satisfying. “It blew my mind,” he shares. “Hearing the sounds and correlating them to the readings was so fulfilling.”

Smith agrees, acknowledging that she’s become more aware of her own health since working alongside clinicians and how attentive they are to the people receiving care at their office.  “It’s taught me to slow down, to have patience with people and to give people grace,” she says.

Richelle (Rikki) Hauanio, a patient services representative before becoming a medical assistant, found the camaraderie within her diverse team particularly memorable. “We were like a family within a family,” she says. “We studied together, supported each other and grew as a group. We still keep in touch, and that connection is one of the best parts of my experience.”

Their experiences as medical assistants have opened new doors for these professionals. Hauanio is proud to be working alongside colleagues she’s long admired and has joined the RN program with Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing at Lehigh Valley Health Network. Smith is still exploring her next steps, possibly considering a career in nursing or radiography.

Brown, meanwhile, has found a deeper purpose in patient interactions. “I feel privileged to know my patients, especially when they’re not at their best,” he says. “I’m proud of the care I provide and the trust I’ve built.”

What sets LVHN apart as a great place to work? For all three, it’s the support system. “LVHN literally invests in your success,” Brown emphasizes. “They ensure you’re set up to succeed, both personally and professionally.”

Smith echoes this sentiment. “LVHN gave me a path when I felt lost,” she says. “The program allowed me to grow while still supporting my family. It was a no-brainer for me.”

Hauanio adds, “I’ve worked in health care for years, but being a medical assistant allows me to connect with patients on a deeper level. LVHN gave me that opportunity, and I’ll always be grateful.”