Military spouses Younkyeong Bang, Julia Thao, and Yurany Henderson recently completed our Dental Assistant Program at Fort Leonard Wood and are ready for rewarding careers in healthcare.
This free program helped the three graduates overcome the challenges of starting over, expand their skills, and pursue new professional opportunities.
For Younkyeong, who has lived in South Korea, Texas and Missouri during her husband's military career, the program opened the door to a new professional path after she struggled to find administrative work.
"For me, this program is about much more than learning dental assisting skills," Younkyeong said. "It has allowed me to build a strong foundation for a new career, gain confidence, stay motivated and stay connected with the military community."
After years focused on raising her family and volunteering, Julia enrolled in the program when her children got older. Returning to the classroom was challenging, but she discovered a passion for patient care and healthcare support.
"The program gave me confidence and helped me discover my strengths," Julia said.
Yurany, who learned about the program through Facebook after relocating to Missouri from Hawaii, brought previous dental assistant training and found the program helped her continue building a career she enjoys.
"I really like the work," Yurany said. "I am a hands-on person, and I am very interested in science and medicine."
Join us in congratulating Younkyeong, Julia and Yurany on this amazing career milestone!
ALT A person in a military uniform shakes hands with another person who is holding a certificate of appreciation. They are standing in front of a table with a Red Cross sign, and there's a poster titled "Service to the Armed Forces.
ALT Two people, one in military uniform, smiling and holding a certificate together. A banner in the background reads "Service to the Armed Forces," and an American Red Cross logo is visible.
ALT A person in a military uniform is handing a certificate to another individual. They are shaking hands in a room with American Red Cross materials visible. There is a fire extinguisher sign on the wall behind them.