Business Education

Sandhills Community College launches Certified Ophthalmic Assistant program

By Staff Report, posted 9 months ago
From left to right: Brittany Rodriguez, Ophthalmology Instructor practices on equipment with Dr. Anna F. Fakadej, M.D., MBA - Physician at Carolina Eye Associates and Medical Director.

With a high demand for employees in the ophthalmological industry, Sandhills Community College (SCC) students will have a new option to help fill jobs becoming a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. 

The certificate program is part of SCC’s Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) program and provides students with the knowledge and practical experience needed to begin a career in ophthalmology. Students benefit from a blend of classroom instruction one night a week and online self-pace work to prepare for success in the field.

“The inaugural class is now underway, led by Brittany Rodriguez as instructor and Dr. Fakadej from Carolina Eye Associates serving as the program’s medical director,” said Jacklyn Pepich BS, RHIA, CMA, Director of Healthcare Training WCE in a press release. “Over the course of approximately four months, students will gain the skills and preparation needed to sit for the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant exam. We’re excited to launch this program and support the workforce demand in our region.”

Registration fees are $197.50. Costs to consider outside of registration include at text book and COA Exam $300. Scholarships are available. Learn more at https://www.sandhills.edu/programs/health-sciences/healthcare.html or email healthcareWCE@sandhills.edu. 

Ralph Elia, Linda Edwards, Desmond Worthy, Guillermo Aragon, Twanda Convington, Breanna Prevatte, Lutetha McAllister, Aubrey Hicks, Yolanda Alfaro: and TJ McCaskill - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Carolina Eye: Dr. Anna F. Fakadej, M.D., MBA - Physician at Carolina Eye Associates and Medical Director: and Brittany Rodriguez, Ophthalmology Instructor and Jacklyn Pepich BS, RHIA, CMA Director of Healthcare Training WCE and Director of Medical Assistant Program.
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
cape-fear-eye-associates cory-worrell headshott

Refractive Precision Meets Aesthetic Artistry: A Higher Standard of Care

Cory Worrell - Director of Marketing, Cape Fear Eye Associates
fayetteville-state-university dionne-hall headshott

Mental health matters at Fayetteville State University

Dionne Hall - Director, Center for Counseling and Accessibility Services, Fayetteville State University
firsthealth-of-the-carolinas sivakumar-ardhanari-md headshott

How High-Tech Heart Scans are Transforming Life-Saving Treatments

Sivakumar Ardhanari, M.D. - Medical Director of Cardiac Imaging, Firsthealth of the Carolinas

In The Current Issue

Envisioning a better downtown: Cool Spring Downtown District's Amplified District Reenvision Awards honor downtown visionaries

Graphic courtesy of CSDDThe Cool Spring Downtown District is recognizing members of the downtown Fayetteville community with their Inaugural Amplified District Awards. While an award ceremony and town hall was intended for June 4, the Cool Spring Dow


ERA Strother bets on downtown Fayetteville with Hay Street move

ERA Strother Real Estate recently relocated its long-time office headquarters to 229A Hay St., trading its Ray Avenue site for a street-level presence on Hay Street.


Beyond the balance sheet: Looking beyond traditional banking to examine the bigger picture of growth opportunity and long-term success

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is excited to announce our second Power Breakfast for 2026: Beyond the Balance Sheet, a banking-focused event exploring the relationship between bankers and businesses. This event will have a regional fo