CIRCLEVILLE, OH — What began as a “just for fun” curiosity last year has transformed into a state championship and a professional career path for Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center senior Melissa Hice.
Hice, a Health Administration student from Paint Valley, recently secured first place in Health Insurance and Medical Billing at the Ohio Business Professionals of America (BPA) State Leadership Conference. The victory marks the first time the program has ever seen a top-podium finish at the state level, punching Hice’s ticket to the national competition in Nashville this May.
The Power of the Internship
While Hice credits a newfound focus for her competitive success, she points to her fall internship at Hopewell Health as the real game-changer. By working directly with medical claims and revenue cycles, she gained a level of “real-world” fluency that classroom study alone couldn’t provide.
“I think it helped me learn a lot more terminology and understand it better, and how the whole cycle works,” Hice said.
Her performance was so impressive that Hopewell Health didn’t want to let her go. Upon finishing her internship, the center offered her a paid position as a Temp Revenue Cycle Specialist—allowing her to begin her professional career before she even receives her high school diploma.
A Rising Star in Healthcare
Terah Ramsey, Director of Billing at Hopewell Health Centers, noted that Hice quickly mastered complexities that often challenge seasoned adults.
“Melissa has been an outstanding addition… she demonstrated a strong work ethic, curiosity, and a willingness to learn,” Ramsey said. “She has become a valued member of our team.”
Hice, who originally considered fields as diverse as electrical work and cosmetology, has now found her calling. She plans to become a certified coding professional, citing a fascination with the inner workings of healthcare administration.
A Winning Culture
Hice won’t be the only one representing Pickaway-Ross in Nashville. Classmate Mariah Barrera also qualified for Nationals for the second consecutive year, placing in the Top 10 for Medical Coding. Like Hice, Barrera also completed an internship at Hopewell Health, earning high marks for her professionalism.
Instructor and BPA advisor Darcie Scott expressed immense pride in the duo’s success. “They are both just phenomenal students,” Scott said. “Health Administration has had a second-place finish at the State competition before, but we have never had a first-place finish. Melissa winning is wonderful for her and for this program.”
As Hice and Barrera prepare for the national stage, their stories stand as a testament to the impact of career and technical education in bridging the gap between the classroom and the workforce.
