July 26, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A national association for health professionals recognized a Grand Rapids Community College program director with an award recognizing professional and community service.
Linda Witte, program director and manager for GRCC Workforce Training’s health programs, received the Pride of the Profession award from American Medical Technologists during the organization’s recent annual meeting. The honor, awarded to an AMT member of at least 10 years, recognizes Witte’s professional and community service activities.
“Linda is a wonderful leader and ambassador for GRCC and our healthcare programs,” said John Van Elst, interim executive director of Workforce Training. “It’s nice to see her recognized for her hard work, connecting students with in-demand skills for rewarding careers in fields that are constantly evolving.”
Witte manages the Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician and Phlebotomy Skills programs. She’s also working with the Surgical Technologist and Anesthesia Technologist programs and is developing a Direct Support Professional program.
“I meet with employers to find out their hiring needs and put together short-term training programs to fill their needs,” she said. “Secondly, I oversee the best group of trainers who have a big heart for students. Thirdly, I work with potential and current students – from wanting to know more about health careers to encouraging their success once they are in our programs to celebrating with them once they’ve successfully completed the program. I ensure that our curriculum teaches students what the profession needs them to know, and I arrange for the students’ clinical placements.”
Witte earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in social work, from Calvin College (now Calvin University) and a master’s in public administration from Grand Valley State University. Before joining GRCC in 2009, she worked in a variety of health-care roles, including pharmacy, CNA, administration, adult foster care and medical assisting.
“There are so many choices for people in health careers, and it’s fun for me to help people consider their options,” she said.