Turning a New Chapter: How UEI Helped a Father Rewrite His Story
Walking across the stage as a graduate of UEI College Bakersfield’s Medical Billing and Insurance program was a moment Jason Sheffield will never forget. As a father of three daughters, aged 14, 13, and 11, his primary motivation was leading by example. He wanted to show his children that change is always possible, no matter where you start.
Jason’s hard work and dedication throughout the program earned him the honor of being the valedictorian speaker at the health programs graduation ceremony, where he shared his inspiring story with fellow graduates and their families.
After years of long work hours and missing time with his family, he knew it was time for something different. When he discovered the medical billing program at UEI, he saw an opportunity to shift gears. “It’s not repetitive; every day is different. Whether it’s resolving errors in claims, coding procedures, or managing payments, it keeps me active and engaged,” he shared.
Interested In Our Medical Billing & Insurance Coding Program? CLICK HERE >
The environment at UEI was exactly what he needed. From the moment he stepped onto campus, he felt welcomed. “They treated me like a person, not just a number,” he said. That support continued in the classroom, where teachers like Ms. Ramos and Ms. Bradford went above and beyond. “Ms. Ramos became like a second mom to me. She didn’t just teach us—she made sure we learned from our mistakes.”
But it wasn’t just about academics for Jason. As president of the Ambassador Program, he worked hard to rebuild the team, helping grow it from just seven active members to nearly 40. “It was all about teamwork and making things fun while helping others,” he said proudly.
Balancing his studies with being a father and Ambassador Program president was no easy task, but his daughters were his greatest motivators. They even made a pact: if he achieved perfect attendance and honor roll, they would do the same in their own schooling. “That challenge pushed me on the days I didn’t feel like going,” he said.
Now working at a medical office, Jason is excited to bring his coding and billing expertise to the field while continuing to learn and grow. He has already re-enrolled at UEI to pursue medical assisting, with long-term goals of becoming a nurse practitioner and eventually opening his own practice. His advice to future students? “Just do it. Don’t overthink it. You’ll gain skills, meet amazing people, and open doors you never expected.”
