After decades devoted to caring for others, Tracie Wyche reached a pivotal moment in her life—one where she felt ready to finally invest in herself.
At 52 years old, with a lifetime of caregiving behind her and a deep desire to serve people with both skill and compassion, Tracie made the bold decision to return to school and pursue a career in healthcare.
“I’ve been helping people all my life,” Tracie said. “I just wanted to give people the best service and make a difference where it really matters.”
That decision led her to United Education Institute’s (UEI) Morrow campus, where she recently graduated from the Medical Assistant program with a near-perfect GPA. Her experience at UEI became a defining turning point marked by discipline, hands-on training, and a renewed sense of purpose. That momentum carried her seamlessly from the classroom into a successful externship and ultimately into the medical field with confidence.
A Journey Toward Helping Others
Tracie’s educational journey began shortly after graduating high school in 1990. She initially pursued business administration but later shifted to child and family studies after realizing business was not her calling. Financial aid challenges eventually forced her to pause her education, and the demands of work made returning to school difficult.
Over the years, Tracie held a variety of roles from cashier, server, sewing machine operator, to inventory specialist for major retailers and direct support worker. Of all her positions, direct support work proved the most fulfilling. In addition to her professional roles, Tracie served as a caregiver to her mother in 1991 and later to her husband in 2016. Through illness, uncertainty, and responsibility, caring for others remained the constant thread throughout her life.
Those deeply personal experiences shaped her perspective and strengthened her desire to pursue meaningful work.
“At 52, I found myself starting over,” Tracie said. “There’s been a lot of sickness in my family, and I’ve seen a lot. I thought, why not take what I’ve been through and use it to help other people?”
That clarity arrived in late 2024. With her grandchildren reaching preschool age and her caregiving responsibilities shifting, Tracie realized the moment she had been waiting for had finally arrived.
When researching schools, UEI stood out.
“I had some college experience, and what I didn’t like was spending years taking classes that had nothing to do with my major,” she said. “At UEI, you go straight into your program. You jump in hands-on, and I liked that.”
She enrolled in the Medical Assistant program at UEI’s Morrow campus in January 2025.
“Since I started, I haven’t looked back,” she said. “It was the best decision I ever made.”
Interested In Our Medical Assistant Program? CLICK HERE >
Transitioning Into a Modern Classroom
Returning to school presented new challenges, particularly adjusting to a technology-driven learning environment. Digital systems replaced traditional textbooks, and Tracie noticed that many younger classmates adapted more quickly at first.
“I had to learn how to do things electronically,” she said. “It took me a while, but then I realized I could do this.”
Once that confidence took hold, Tracie thrived. She excelled academically while mastering hands-on clinical skills, including medical terminology, vital signs, pharmacology, EKGs, phlebotomy, injections, and medical billing and coding.
Her commitment to growth extended beyond her own success. Tracie became a source of encouragement for her classmates, often reminding them that adaptability is essential in both learning and healthcare.
“You have to be open to criticism so you can get better,” she said. “I didn’t want to settle. That wasn’t about proving anything to anyone else. I just wanted to be the best version of myself.”
She credits her instructors, Frederick Adams and Tamika Latham, for shaping not only her technical skills but also her professional mindset. That lesson proved invaluable during her externship.
“They each taught me something different,” Tracie said. “Sometimes there’s more than one way to do something, and you have to be adaptable.”
“Tracie came into the program with a clear sense of purpose and an incredible work ethic. She was dedicated, open to feedback, and consistently set the standard for excellence in the classroom,” Tamika said. “Her success is a reflection of her commitment and compassion for patient care.”
Experience First, Then Teaching
Although Tracie initially hoped to extern in nephrology, her placement with an orthopedic clinic broadened her perspective and opened new doors. The experience deepened her understanding of electronic medical records and clinical workflow—skills that built upon her training at UEI.
“There are things you just can’t learn all at once in school,” she said. “I learned a lot onsite.”
Tracie approached her externship with professionalism, empathy, and a willingness to learn—qualities that quickly set her apart.
“When my externship ended, they hired me,” she said.
Her team described her as a strong fit—someone who showed initiative, adapted quickly, and contributed positively to the clinic’s environment. Looking ahead, Tracie plans to continue building experience in the field, with the long-term goal of one day returning to UEI as an instructor.
“I want to take what I’ve learned and give it back,” she said. “Helping train the next generation would mean a lot to me.”
She also hopes her story encourages others who may feel it is too late to begin again.
“UEI showed me that age doesn’t define what you’re capable of,” she said. “Being able to pass that message on is important to me.”
Reflecting on her journey, Tracie describes UEI as a place where focus, commitment, and determination lead to real opportunity.
“You need to know what you want and how to prioritize your life,” she said. “It can be challenging, but don’t give up.”
