The Inspiring Journey of Antwonette Beans-Butler

“Concorde was the first thing that I ever started and finished.” 

A graduate of Concorde’s Medical Assisting program in Southaven, MS, Antwonette Beans-Butler’s path to a career in healthcare was not a straight line. It was a road paved by personal trials that ultimately revealed a strength she never knew she had and a calling she was destined to answer. 

Her journey is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit, the transformative impact of a supportive community, and the incredible way that life’s greatest challenges can illuminate one’s true purpose.

Finding a Calling in the Midst of Crisis

When Antwonette first enrolled at Concorde, her goal was to work with children with behavioral issues, a passion born from her own childhood experiences. She wanted to be the person who could check them in, take their vitals and offer a steady, understanding presence. However, life soon presented an unexpected challenge.

Just two weeks before her externship was set to begin, her husband was in a severe accident and was put on life support, where he remained for 21 days. While seven months pregnant and on the verge of completing her program, Antwonette was now facing a tremendous personal crisis.

For three weeks, the hospital became her second home. She stood by her husband's side, bathing him, washing his face and becoming his fiercest advocate. During this time, a new sense of purpose began to emerge. 

She watched the nurses and doctors, asking questions and learning everything she could. She also noticed the patients who had no visitors, and her heart went out to them. 

"My goal was to work in the hospital," she realized. "I should be more helpful... to assist them and to help them and make them feel better."

The Concorde Experience

Antwonette is the first to admit that she was “a lot of work” when she started at Concorde. Struggling with the professional dress code, she was a self-described “challenge” to her teachers. 

But the program demanded more than just academic performance; it required personal growth. 

“When I walked across the stage, I didn’t just walk across as a medical assistant,” she shared. “I walked across as a woman, because I had learned so much.”

That transformation was possible because Concorde is a community that rallied behind her when she needed it most. With her husband in the hospital and her externship in jeopardy, giving up seemed like a real possibility. Instead, the staff at Concorde refused to let her fall behind. 

They created a unique solution, allowing her to complete clinical work online from the hospital room while also recognizing the hands-on care she was providing for her husband. 

“A lot of schools wouldn’t help me do that,” Antwonette said. “They didn’t let me give up.”

“My instructor was one of my big supporters,” Antwonette explained. Today, this instructor is still a mentor, providing her with study materials and encouragement as she prepares to return for her nursing degree. 

For Antwonette, the connection to Concorde didn’t end at graduation. “I really just met another family.”
 

A Career Defined by Compassion and Excellence

In her professional life, Antwonette embodies the idea that medical assistants are the heart of the care team. 

“The job can't get done unless you got a great nurse assistant or medical assistant, a nurse and a terrific doctor,” she stated. She understands that MAs are often the first point of contact and spend the most time with patients, setting the tone for their entire experience. 

“We are 100% in the rooms,” she said, recognizing the responsibility to bring positive energy and make the nurse’s job easier.

Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. At Baptist Memorial in Desoto, she has been named Employee of the Month twice and receives shout-outs in the hospital’s newsletter nearly every month. 

The Power of Believing: Antwonette's "Why"

When asked how she balances work, a new baby, a teenager, and her husband’s ongoing therapy, Antwonette’s answer is simple and powerful: “My kids are the reason.” This mantra is the fuel for her relentless drive. “They’re the reason for me to strive,” she said. “I want to be able to give them the life that I didn’t have.” This motivation is what pushes her to get up every day and work toward a better future, one that recently included purchasing a new home for her family.

This sense of purpose is rooted in a profound shift in her own self-belief. “When I walked in, I didn’t believe,” she admitted, reflecting on her first days at Concorde. “Once I start believing and accepting the fact that Concorde was here to help… it made it way better.”

That quiet confidence now shines through in unexpected ways. For fun, Antwonette loves to go to a local lounge for karaoke night—by herself. 

“The old me would have never did anything [like that],” she explained. “I would always feel like I had to have 1,000 people around me.” Now, she’s comfortable and happy on her own, able to sit at a table and strike up conversations about goals and careers. “I am a crowd,” she declared, perfectly summing up her incredible transformation.

Finding Your Own "Why"

Antwonette's powerful story offers a roadmap for anyone searching for their own source of motivation. Her journey highlights that finding your "why" is often a process of discovery, not a single moment of revelation. Here are a few tips inspired by her experience:

• Embrace Life's Challenges: Difficult moments can often clarify what truly matters. These experiences, while painful, can illuminate your path forward.
• Identify Your Core Motivation: Ask yourself who or what you are fighting for. Is it your family? A better future? The desire to help others? Your "why" should be personal and powerful enough to carry you through tough times.
• Build Your Belief: The strongest "why" can falter without self-belief. Start by celebrating small victories and surround yourself with people who believe in you, and eventually, you'll believe in yourself.
• Don't Be Afraid to Redefine Your Path: Be open to the idea that your purpose may change. Your "why" isn't set in stone; it can evolve as you do.

A Message of Hope and Determination

From a student who once doubted herself to a confident healthcare professional, homeowner, and mother, Antwonette’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance. Her advice to anyone considering a similar path is born from experience. To current students, she urges, “Don’t give up. Communicate. If Concorde doesn’t know about a problem, they can’t help you.”

And what would she tell her younger self? “Get it together,” she said with a knowing laugh. “Every day that I waste, I can’t get that day back… You will never prosper without education.”

Today, Antwonette is no longer waiting for others to lead the way. Having found her voice, her purpose, and her strength, she is now the one ready to inspire others. The woman who once felt lost in the crowd is now prepared to start the conversation, sharing a story of hope that proves that with belief and determination, no obstacle is insurmountable.

Take control of your healthcare training journey by exploring your options at Concorde. Schedule a tour or call 1-800-693-7010 to get started!