04/30/2026
Congratulations Phil!! We are so proud of you!
Meet Phillip Pritchard, Medical Assistant II and participant of the Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
"What made me choose a career in health care was a health scare I had. The nurses and staff were amazing, with their kindness and attention to detail, which made my recovery a total success. After that, I was drawn to health care. What attracted me about the [MA Apprenticeship] program was the ability to provide more hands-on patient care and the opportunity was perfect.
I enjoy meeting patients and learning about why they are here and trying to be a liaison between the patient and the provider. Patients often have a lot of apprehension and fear before their appointment. I try to share a common topic to calm them a bit so they can have a clearer mind and not feel overwhelmed.
I think my most memorable moment was triaging my first patient on my own. Knowing the clinic had faith in me to work independently was a huge confidence booster.
The Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program offers unlimited resources to draw from. I stay in touch with my classmates, and we often compare notes on how we each do things. This helps us learn from one another and find ways to improve our skills.
I love the people I work with. Teamwork is number one for each of us, and we are like family. We bounce ideas and suggestions off each other so we can stay on the same page.
When Iβm not working, I can be found teaching martial arts to people of all ages. Itβs very grounding.
I think if someone has an interest in this program, it's a lot of work, prepare to study hard and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also, be prepared to laugh and bond with your classmates. It is a truly rewarding program."
We are so grateful to have you here, Phil! Thank you for all you do.
If youβd like to learn more about our workforce development programs or are considering a career with us, explore all opportunities here: https://www.ummhealth.org/careers