What do you get when you combine excellent teaching programs with practical, real-life experience? In one word, preparation. But the Torrance Memorial Physician Network medical assistant (MA) externship program does so much more. This unique partnership with MA programs at Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC) and Harbor Occupational Center (HOC) fosters community support, inspires the next generation in medical careers, and benefits Torrance Memorial physician offices and the South Bay families they serve.
The Torrance Memorial Physician Network was formed in 2012 to serve primary care offices and simplify the complexities of office management so both senior and new physicians could focus on medicine—not administration. The network has grown exponentially to strategically optimize patient care and growth by including many specialties like pulmonology, OB-GYN, pediatrics, cardiology, endocrinology, rheumatology and urgent care. This growth has led to the demand for increasing support staff and the need for medical assistants.
How it Works
After completing 720 classroom training hours and 160 hours of unpaid practicum hours, MA students are offered an “externship” opportunity to complete their practicum hours in Torrance Memorial Physician Network offices. These externships can be in primary care or specialty offices. The externship provides valuable real-life experience that MA students need to be fully prepared, says Donald Legg, senior director of primary care operations for the Torrance Memorial Physician Network.
“It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. The MA students are well trained; however, an externship provides essential on-the-job experience,” Legg explains. “It also allows staff and physicians to assess a potential hire’s professional communication skills and patient interactions. These skills are critical but aren’t easy to teach outside of real-life experience.”
Torrance Memorial Physician Network staff dedicate time to mentor and train externs, thus helping the future MAs bolster confidence and competency and master office protocol, expectations and technology/systems necessary for the job.
Because of this valuable experience, many externs receive job offers too. In fact, nine out of 10 externs from the 2024 and 2025 cohorts were hired after completing externships and passing national certification exams.
For instance, HOC MA graduates Jennifer Chavez and Karen Rodriguez were hired after their recent externships, says Teresa Morales, MA instructor at HOC. Chavez now works at the Manhattan Beach primary care offices, while Rodriguez works at the Hermosa Beach primary care location. SCROC MA graduate Ruth De Los Santos now works at Hermosa Beach pediatrics offices and is considering nursing school.
Assisting Different Learners
As a medical assistant instructor for 25 years, Melissa Moore knows that students benefit from on-the-job experience. While MA students are taught, tested and provided role-play simulation within the SCROC and HOC programs, externships can be especially helpful for students who naturally do well in a medical setting but may not test well.
“There are different learners. Some can ace a test no problem, but applying it in the real world is hard. Others excel smoothly with patients but have difficulty with testing. This is a great opportunity for our students and for the community,” explains Moore. “It’s an absolute gem to have this partnership with the Torrance Memorial Physician Network.”
Morales, who became an MA at age 18 and worked for 10 years until becoming an HOC MA instructor, agrees with Moore. Morales urges all those interested in a medical career to reach out and explore the programs available at their local occupational centers. Students may be eligible for assistance, so if taking time off from work to attend training is daunting, inquire to see what is available.
Inspiring Medical Careers
The next cohort of externs includes 25 MA students from both centers. It is the largest (and first simultaneous) externship cohort to be placed in Torrance Memorial Physician Network offices. This shows the success of the program and growing interest within the community, says Marcia Garcia, director of operations at Torrance Memorial Physician Network.
Garcia started her career in 1999 as an MA graduate from SCROC. She is a living testament to how valuable these MA programs can be—and that numerous opportunities can await students once they begin their medical career.
After six years as an MA, Garcia was promoted to lead MA, then supervisor and then clinical coordinator. In 2013 she was hired as Torrance Memorial Physician Network’s manager of operations and was recently promoted to director of operations for the network.
“It’s super rewarding to help others on a similar path. When I do weekly site visits and check in with MA students, it’s like coming full circle. I can share my experience and let them know I was there, in their shoes, and know how they feel. I can answer questions and let them know I’m here for them,” says Garcia.
Today many high school graduates often delay college due to increasing costs. Attending medical or nursing schools can feel like impossible goals. MA programs at SCROC and HOC—with externship opportunities—provide an affordable pathway into a medical career. They spark hope, mentorship and opportunities for our next generation of dedicated medical professionals.
