Shirley Sawyer, CMA (AAMA) CPC was presented the Leadership and Mentoring Award at the 2018 American Association of Medical Assistant’s annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in September.

This national award is presented to a medical assistant for demonstrating outstanding leadership and mentoring skills in helping achieve the goals of the association and further the profession of medical assisting.   Amber Greer, BS, CMA (AAMA), NCSMA President states, “Shirley has provided guidance to me when I was not sure of the path I wanted to take, motivation when I wanted to quit.”

Betty Jones, Active Member and NCSMA Vice President states, “Shirley mentors our students and chapter members and goes above and beyond what is expected of her to meet the goals of the AAMA on all three levels.”

Glenn Grady, Med, BSMT (ASCP), CMA (AAMA), Dean of Health & Human Services at HCC, states, “Shirley takes time out of her busy schedule at least once a semester to visit our Medical Assistant students to encourage them to join AAMA.”

Rebecca Surratt, CMA (AAMA), NCSMA Immediate Past President states “She took me under her wing and molded me into the women and leader that I am today. I know that I am where I am today because of her and know that she is behind me in every aspect. I am stronger because of her.”

Sawyer is employed at Midway Medical Center as Operations Manager.  She currently serves on the Continuing Education Board for the AAMA as Second Vice-Chair and is the Chair for the Conference Continuing Education Task Force.  Shirley has been elected to every office of the North Carolina Society of Medical Assistants and currently serves as Parliamentarian to the Board. In the local Chapter, Shirley has served on many committees and most offices.  She is currently the President of the Haywood County Chapter.

Sawyer said that she was shocked to receive this award.  Members of the NC Society of Medical Assistants and the local Haywood County chapter were not at all surprised.  She continues to be a leader in the Chapter and in the state and has mentored many medical assistants. Shirley lives in Waynesville with her husband Jimmy.