About Us
Dr. Nydra Wilson, DHA, CMAA, CBCS, CCMA
Founder/CEO
Nydra is the Founder and CEO of Lowcounty Medical Training Center, where she is dedicated to empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals. She earned her Master of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Certificate of Completion from Florence Darlington Technical College. Her expertise includes certifications in medical billing and coding, as well as medical administrative assistance.
​
With a passion for education and healthcare, Nydra began her career teaching at a local technical school, where she discovered her love for helping students succeed. She later spent two years teaching 4th grade, further honing her ability to connect with individuals at different stages of learning. Her experience in both academic and healthcare settings has fueled her desire to train and equip future healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
​
Nydra is not only passionate about education but also deeply committed to the healthcare industry. She believes in the transformative power of healthcare and the importance of training skilled professionals who can make a real difference in patients' lives. Her love for people shines through in her approach to teaching, she is a true people person who values building relationships with her students, guiding them toward success, and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.
​
At Lowcounty Medical Training Center, Nydra is driven by her mission to provide high-quality, hands-on training that prepares students for rewarding careers in healthcare. She takes great pride in seeing her students succeed and is dedicated to ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in the industry.
Our mission is to equip the students with the necessary skills and education to excel as trained, competent professionals in the overall healthcare administration field.
Staff Directory
Karen Matthews, CMAA, CCMA: Ms. Karen works as the office coordinator and the admission clerk. She provides administrative duties and educates the students on the course that they may be interested in. Karen has previous experience in customer service and teaching. She has great customer service skills and loves helping students succeed in the right direction. Karen worked at a call center and worked at D.P. Cooper Charter School where she was a teacher assistant. Ms. Karen is also a S.C. Notary, and she assists the students with resume writing which prepares them for real workforce life. She enjoys teaching students professionalism and medical administrative assistant. She is certified as a Medical Administrative Assistant and Clinical Medical Assistant.
Makayla Williams, BHA: Makayla Williams, Administrative Assistant at LowCounty Medical Training Center. She is a native of Salters, South Carolina, Ms. Williams graduated from Kingstree High School in 2019 and went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Francis Marion University. With a strong passion for delivering exceptional healthcare experiences, she is committed to providing top-notch service and support. My educational background, coupled with a robust work ethic and a genuine desire to serve others, enables me to excel in my role. She is dedicated to making a positive impact and contributing to the success of LowCounty Medical Training Center. Please feel free to reach out to me if you require any assistance.
​
Traci Richardson, CPhtT, CNA: Traci Richardson, Enrollment Specialist at LowCounty Medical Training Center. She is a native of Hemingway, South Carolina, she graduated from Connection Academy in 2002. After completing high school, she went into to pharmacy technician at CVS. Traci has a strong commitment in healthcare and serving the community. She is dedicated to making a positive impact and contributing to the success of LowCounty Medical Training Center. Please feel free to reach out to me if you require any assistance.
Andrea Jones, CPT: Andrea graduated from Florence Darling Technical College in 2009 and became licensed phlebotomist who has 10 years of hospital experience. She also has 5 years in teaching and training. Andrea enjoys training and teaching students how to proper care for patients that come in for labs. She has a way to keep the patient’s mind off the sticks. She has been training and teaching for 3 years and 4 months in phlebotomy. She enjoys spending time with her 2 children and working in the healthcare field. She also is employed at MUSC hospital where she works as a lead phlebotomist.
Andrea McKnight McElveen, PA: Andrea has been a Physician Assistant for 16 years. She graduated from Alderson-Broaddus College in May 2007. Andrea has 5 years of experience in training nurses’ aides and a license as a practical nurse. She also has fourteen years of experience as a certified physician assistant providing comprehensive medical care to underserved communities and the military. Mrs. McElveen also provides comprehensive medical care to patients, including ordering diagnostic tests, X-rays, labs, and referring patients to medical specialists when needed, educate and counsel patients regarding their health conditions and medical treatment, and evaluate compliance with treatment and modification based on response to treatment and educate and counsel patients regarding nutrition and medications. She enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 kids.
Aaliyah L Battle, LPN: Aaliyah has been an LPN for 3 years. She graduated from ECPI University in 2022. She taught nursing assistant at a local nursing home for a year. She has experience in pediatric, geriatric home healthcare, and nursing home experience. Ms. Battle has years’ experience in teaching and training nursing assistants. She loves interacting with the students and going that extra mile to make sure that the students understand. She has now enrolled back at ECPI in Charleston, SC for her RN licenses and expecting to complete soon. Ms. Battle will assist with training students will the skill portion of becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant and Medical Assistant.
Shawngerlette Hayward CCMA,EMT, known as Ms. Hayward, is a dedicated professional with over 13 years of experience in the medical field. She works part time as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant instructor. MS Hayward educates and guides students through the coursework and materials necessary to complete the program successfully. In additional to her role as an educator, she is a SC Notary and Tax Preparer and serves full time with the Williamsburg County EMS, as a EMT technician. Ms Hayward demonstrates her commitment to both healthcare and community services. ​
​
Nakisha J. Gathers, BSN, RN: Nakisha Gathers is a Registered Nurse (RN) and has been in the healthcare industry for 11.5 years. She started working as a medical assistant in 2013 with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Here she gained experience in neurology and neuroscience. In 2019, she made an advancement in her career by receiving an associate’s degree in nursing from Trident Technical College. Immediately, she started her training in the department of Urology. The job duties consisted in triaging, nurse documentation, and assisting the providers with procedures like cystoscopies, vasectomies, prostate biopsies, stent removals, bladder biopsies, and video urodynamics testing. Her ability to evolve in the department quickly, led to her precepting others in the clinic, and later becoming the lead clinic RN. With the desire to expand her knowledge in nursing, she earned a BSN from Walden University in 2021.
In 2023, Nakisha gained employment at a hospital to gain experience in an inpatient care setting. This opportunity allowed her to gain nursing experience on the Neurology and Head and Neck unit. Early 2024, the dream to become a nurse educator and preceptor began to come to reality through a part-time employment opportunity. After spreading her wings in the medical world, Nakisha went back to where here career started, as she accepted a full-time role with the Medical University Hospital Authority (MUSC). Shortly after, she became an educator with Low County Medical Training Center. She is the first instructor with the center to teach in the Charleston area. She has successfully taught 3 Certified Nursing Assistant courses and has started her 1st Certified Medical Assistant course. Behind the scenes, Nakisha is on the journey to completing a master’s in science of nursing (MSN) program specializing in nursing education. She finds strength and motivation by relying on her faith and to continuously be an example that her children can be proud of.
State-of-the-Art Training Facility Designed for Hands-On Healthcare Education
The Lowcounty Medical Training Center is a 2,200-square-foot facility thoughtfully designed to offer a hands-on learning experience for aspiring healthcare professionals. The center is equipped with four computers, 20 folding chairs, eight 8-foot tables, two desks, and a TV for educational video clips. It also features a projector to enhance classroom instruction.
​
For clinical practice, the facility provides essential medical equipment, including one hospital bed, a blood pressure cuff, two wheelchairs, a bedside toilet, an over-bed table, bed linens, a stethoscope, a lady mannequin, and a gait/transfer belt. Additional training tools include gloves, food trays, a fax machine, a clock, and dentures to simulate real-life healthcare scenarios.
​
While the center is fully equipped for practical training, it does not offer living quarters or room and board. The facility's focus is on delivering high-quality, hands-on education in a professional environment, ensuring students are well-prepared for their future roles in the healthcare industry.
Licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, 1122 Lady Street, Suite 400, Columbia, SC 29201, Telephone 803-737-2260, www.che.sc.gov. Licensure indicates only those minimum standards have been met; it is not an endorsement or guarantee of quality. Licensure is not equivalent to or synonymous with accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.