Neighbor News
Clearwater Mother, 42, and Domestic Violence Victim Earns High School and Healthcare Diplomas
I have 11 grandchildren. They are able to see their nana go from not really having very much to see that I was able to get it all back.

CLEARWATER, Fla., March 26, 2017 – A forty-two-year-old mother of five children who went back to school after escaping domestic violence, being homeless and losing her mother shared her inspiring story yesterday. In less than two years, Tamika Holland from Clearwater went back to earn a high school diploma in 2016 and started a career in healthcare before completing her higher education diploma with honors this year from Ultimate Medical Academy.
Holland proudly stood before the 4,500 graduates being recognized in person and online UMA’s Spring Commencement Exercises on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the Sun Dome in Tampa. She earned her Dental Assistant with Expanded Functions diploma from the nonprofit school’s Clearwater campus and is now working in a busy dental office.
“I am very happy I decided to choose UMA because I have an extended family now,” Holland said. “I have confidence, I have a home, a car, and a job in my career at a busy dental office.
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“They say, lead by example,” she continued. “I am able to do that. I have 11 grandchildren. They are able to see their nana go from not really having very much to see that I was able to get it all back. I let everything go when that domestic violence took place. I left it all behind.”
Before completing her education at UMA, Holland had worked in customer service, housekeeping and fast food jobs.
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Holland joined than 600 UMA graduates from 38 states, including those from as far away as California and the Virgin Islands, who walked and virtually joined in the Pomp and Circumstance.
ABOUT ULTIMATE MEDICAL ACADEMY:
Ultimate Medical Academy is a nonprofit healthcare educational institution with a national presence. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida and founded in 1994, UMA offers content-rich, interactive online courses as well as hands-on training. UMA students have access to academic advising, one-on-one or group tutoring, résumé and interview coaching, job search assistance, technical support and more. The institution is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Learn more by visiting UltimateMedical.edu.
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