OAKLAND, Calif., January 16, 2024 – Merritt College in the Peralta Community College District is hosting a press conference at 11am on Friday, January 19, 2024, to announce a unique training program for the local community in collaboration with the Bay Area Business Roundtable (BABRT), a local non-profit, and iRhythm Technologies, a leading digital health care company.

Aspiring cardiac technicians can participate in this innovative program to learn, with the potential to ultimately secure a better future for themselves and their loved ones. The program takes a holistic approach to education with a rounded curriculum addressing personal and professional development. 

Join us to learn more about this first-of-its-kind program in the community and share the news with local job seekers.

The Merritt College course “102B Clinical Medical Assisting II” taught by Dr. Muwafaqu Al Asad, the Program Director for Medical Assisting Certificates of Achievement, includes content specifically designed to help students prepare for the iRhythm Technologies assessment and qualify for interviews for jobs that pay a competitive living wage. To make this opportunity even more compelling, Spring is Free at Merritt College for California residents who enroll in at least 6 credits and apply for financial aid. Prospective students can find out more about free college and begin the enrollment process at www.peralta.edu/enroll. 

This is an unprecedented opportunity, particularly for historically marginalized people from underserved communities in the East Bay, to start a career path for well-paying jobs in healthcare.

Who:

• Bernard Ashcraft, Founder and CEO, Bay Area Business Roundtable
• Ken Baker, Head of Talent Acquisition, iRhythm Technologies
• Keith Carson, Alameda County Supervisor
• Kevin Jenkins, City Council member, City of Oakland
• Dr. Muwafaqu Al Asad, Merritt College faculty member

What:

• Academic, government, community, and corporation come together to announce a high-impact local collaboration for job seekers

When:

• 11am Friday, January 19, 2024

Where:

• Barbara Lee Science Building, Room 303, Merritt College 12500 Campus Drive Oakland, CA 94619
  

Contact:

• Mark Johnson, Executive Director, Marketing, Communication & Public Relations, Peralta Community College District, markjohnson@peralta.edu, (510) 466-7369