Nursing Student Serves Country and Patients
A love of caring for others brought Ana Brunal to Jefferson.
In honor of National Radiologic Technology Week, faculty members discuss their profession and offer advice to students.
Shirley Ann Johnston is the program director/clinical coordinator for medical dosimetry.
In this Nexus series, Get My Job, we interview alumni and faculty from one of the University’s 160-plus undergraduate and graduate professional programs. In honor of National Radiologic Technology Week, the latest installment features seven faculty members from Jefferson’s medical imaging and radiation sciences department.
Why did you become a radiologic technologist?
Maria Stanczak: I liked to draw and paint, and I liked science. Ultrasound married the two. Ultrasound truly became a different medium to create images.
What’s the best part of your job?
Shirley Ann Johnston: Working with students and nurturing the next generation of oncology caregivers.
Maria Stanczak: I get to witness students achieve their goals daily.
Matthew Marquess: Sharing my own clinical experiences to help students become the best radiation therapists they can be. I love to hear from students a few years after graduation, and they’re working in the field, starting families and just enjoying their careers. This makes me feel like I have made a difference in their lives.
Jefferson prepares students for leadership roles. Our reach spans across the country.
—Maria Stanczak
What do you find most rewarding about being in this field?
Shirley Ann Johnston: The feeling that a patient’s care will be indirectly influenced by my time nurturing students.
Dr. Christina Truluck: It’s challenging and holds my interest because technology is constantly changing.
What do you think is important for aspiring students to know about radiologic sciences education?
Matthew Marquess: It’s intense and requires time and task management. You also have to be able to accept constructive criticism and work in stressful situations.
Dr. Nandkumar Rawool is director of the sonography program.
Dr. Nandkumar Rawool: It’s a constantly evolving field. You need to keep up with all the advances.
Maria Stanczak: Jefferson prepares students for leadership roles through our undergraduate and graduate programs. Our reach spans across the country.
Shirley Ann Johnston: Knowledge is power. Within the medical imaging and radiation sciences department, the opportunities are endless.
Dr. Christina Truluck: Aspire to be better than average. Have passion. Give back to your profession by volunteering, advocating for your patients and educating others about your field.
What’s an accomplishment that might inspire future students or technologists?
Dr. Traci Fox: I’ve spoken internationally and authored or co-authored several books. We can help patients by helping students and healthcare professionals be better at what they do.
What’s one piece of advice you give your students?
Dr. Nandkumar Rawool: Keep your patients’ needs first.
Dr. Christina Truluck: Stick to a study schedule. Don’t get left behind.
Katie Uhland: When picking your second-year modality, look at all the different tracks the department offers.
Matthew Marquess is director of the radiation therapy program.
What’s a surprising fact about you?
Shirley Ann Johnston: I was one of 121 dosimetrists who passed the first exam for certification in medical dosimetry in 1988. Prior to this time, there wasn’t a certification process or exam anywhere in the world.
Dr. Traci Fox: I learned how to fly single-engine airplanes in 1996, and I’ve been a ballroom dancer since 1999.
Dr. Christina Truluck: I’m English, but I hate drinking tea.
Katie Uhland: I was a movie theater manager for 12 years
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