Graduates ~ Class of 2022

 

Tenisha 

Tenisha graduated from the Radiologic Technologist Program in 2022. She shares, “I got a little later start. I had my GED and had three children at the time. I have an aptitude for math, am a math tutor, and I feel comfortable in the sciences. I was on the nursing path, but redirected to Radiologic Sciences by a teacher who was also a neuroengineer who recognized my strength in math. Radiologic Sciences is a better fit for me.” Tenisha values mentorship, knowing that she has the opportunity to ask questions to a radiologist and a technologist. All of these resources play a role in evaluating options for her career in radiology. “I am extremely open to where each path leads me. I discovered you need to believe in yourself and have someone believe in you too. My four children are so proud of their mom!” Tenisha is excited to share that she is working full-time in a local radiology clinic.

​

 

Traci 

Traci is a 2022 graduate of the Radiologic Technologist Program. She was inspired to pursue a career in radiology by a best friend who works as a radiologist technologist in California and was fascinated by her journey. Upon graduation and achieving her ARRT Certification, Traci was immediately hired on at local hospital and taking additional per diem work at an imaging clinic to continue to gain as much experience as she can. Traci’s interests also include advancing to other modalities such as CT and Mammography

She has set her goal to complete her bachelor’s program and look into management opportunities. Traci shares, “As part of the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Alumni Association, I am looking forward to mentoring and sharing my own experiences and helping other students in their career journey.” 

 

Class of 2023

 

Adrianne

Adrianne is a second-year student in the Radiology Technology Program. Adrianne’s short term goals consist of graduating with an associate degree in Radiologic Science and becoming certified and registered with the ARRT.  She plans to continue her heath care career journey and gain certification in computed tomography, bone densitometry, or magnetic resonance imaging. Adrianne aspires to be a respected team leader who Radiologists, patients, and healthcare workers can depend on. She shares “Getting accepted into the Radiologic Science program at TCC was a huge blessing that brings me joy and one step closer to a career goal that I set over 15 years ago. I am a first ­generation college student and intend to demonstrate to my family the importance of continued education not only by obtaining a purposeful career but by becoming a lifelong learner.

​

 

Cathy

Cathy is a second-year student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Cathy wants to play a vital role in helping people achieve better health. She thrives on the problem solving process and investigative nature of imaging. “I will be able to investigate and apply critical thinking skills to help solve the patients‘ problems, which I love doing”. Cathy is also interested in neuromuscular ultrasound imaging. In the long term, she would like to continue her education for higher degrees, as well as contribute to the field through new technologies and techniques. Her ambition is to lead by example and inspire her own four children to create their best lives while helping others.

​

Cyhia
Cyhia is a second-year in the Radiologic Technologist Program. She went back to school at the age of 40 with the goal of graduating with a degree before she turned 45. She wants to show her 4 children that you can achieve anything you work hard for at any age and stage of life. Cyhia shares, “It is never too late to accomplish your goals.” With her experience working as a Certified Medical Assistant, she wanted to explore more in the healthcare field. A friend who has been a CT technologist for about 25 years suggested radiology. “I feel like this career change is opening many doors I did not know existed and I am excited about what the future holds. I plan to explore other modalities to include CT, Mammography, and Interventional Radiology. I am looking forward to playing a vital role in assisting with patient care, saving lives and especially looking forward to graduating as part of the Class of 2023.
 

​

Hannah

Hannah is a second-year student in the Radiologic Technologist Program. Her work experience started at the age of 16 as a veterinary assistant.  She took a hiatus to join the Army, then returned to radiology working at Summit Veterinary Hospital as a technician.  This is where she realized she wanted to become an X-Ray technologist for people. After graduating, she plans to obtain advanced certifications in CT and MR. She is looking forward to job shadowing 
opportunities and observing both the hospital and outpatient clinic sites. Hannah loves the creativity involved in taking the best diagnostic images possible. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cat, Peter, who has been by her side for three years.

 

Jose

Jose is a second-year student in the Radiologic Technologist Program. He had a personal experience with his father's journey with cancer and the role that diagnostic imaging played in uncovering it. This experience solidified his desire to work in the medical field and help patients through the use of imaging technology. His goal is to work in a radiologic department and be an advocate for patient care, utilizing his culturally diverse background in which he speaks Spanish and Cantonese to assist patients with language barriers. He is interested in advanced modalities such as CT and Interventional Radiology. Jose is also a dedicated husband and father to a young toddler and is excited to continue his education and begin his career in the field of radiology.

 

 

Kristin

Kristin is a second-year student in the Radiologic Technologist Program. She shares that she has always wanted to be in the medical field and help people. As a child, her mother was often sick and encouraged her to go into healthcare. Kristin also has a special interest in iMRI and FMRI—a technique for measuring and mapping the brain and intends to research the different modalities and associated opportunities. She shares, “I am very interested in the mentorship program to help guide me in this process. Combined with the TCC RT program, clinicals and the support from TRA radiologists and technologists, it is more than I could have ever imagined.” Kristin is raising her young daughter while going to school, clinicals and the mentorship program.

​

 

Michael

Michael is a second- year student in the Radiologic Technologist Program at Tacoma Community College. Michael received his Bachelor’s degree in 2019 from Linfield College in Oregon. During the next two years he did an extensive internship in a radiology department at Willamette Valley Medical Center, thus turning his interest into a passion. Additionally, he took a job to get more clinical experience in healthcare at a physical therapy clinic. In 2021, he was accepted into the TCC program. Fuller shares, “I strongly believe that working as an X-ray technologist is my dream job. It is something that I will be excited to get up and go to work every day giving me the opportunity to make a positive impact on patients and coworkers. It is a field that has career advancement opportunities that I am also interested in CT, MRI, or angiography.” Both Michael and his wife are in the healthcare career paths.

​

 

Nia

Nia is a second-year student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. With over 20 years of experience as a massage therapist, Nia decided to pursue a career in sonography. She shares, "I have a love for anatomy, the human body, and helping people. I believe it is very important for the patient who is receiving the ultrasound to be as comfortable as possible. With my experience over the past 20 years, I can bring my expertise and help create the best possible experience for each patient." Nia is deeply invested in her community through her work and family. She looks forward to taking advantage of every opportunity the mentoring program provides and hopes to mentor others in the future.

​

​

Rebecca

Rebecca is a second-year student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. She is a single mother of 4 and is in the latter half of achieving her goals of a new career in radiology. Being accepted into the radiology program 2 weeks later than everyone else has been the continued driving force in motivating her to excel in this path. She has a deep desire to prove why she was given this opportunity. Rebecca takes great pride in helping everyone around her, whether that be fellow students, teachers, patients, or coworkers. She strives to be continuously dependable. When she completes the Radiologic Science program, she plans to continue to a higher modality such as MR.

 

Class of 2024

​

Asia

Asia s a first-year student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. She shares, “I have always wanted to be a part of the medical field. When my grandfather passed away, I realizedhow much I wanted to help others by providing quality care to patients and their families. I have always been a visual learner and enjoy paying close attention to detail, so I knew sonography was the right choice for me. I am excited to learn all things related to ultrasound and further my education in the field so that I can provide knowledge to the community in thefuture. I feel incredibly honored to be working with the TRA Foundation and look forward to seeing where the world of sonography takes me.”

​

​

Becki

Becki is a first-year student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Her short-term goal is to obtain her ARDMS certification in the specialty areas of Abdomen and Obstetrics & Gynecology. Healthcare is a second career for Becki. A former reporter for a local section of the Los Angeles Times, she chased down leads, scrutinized details, interviewed people, and communicated information to help people make knowledgeable choices. She began exploring healthcare careers after an emergency sonography-guided procedure saved her life. Becki sees a sonographer as an investigator who can identify potential barriers to patient well-being and provide valuable information to physicians. She shares, “I’ve witnessed people who learned about their healthcare options expressing a sense of power over their lives.” Her long-term goal is to learn as much as possible and become a mentor to other sonographers or sonography

students.

​

​

​

Conner

Conner is a first-year student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. He has a passion for learning and a love for sound and health, which led him to pursue a career in ultrasound. Conner’s background in choir and personal education in physical fitness helped guide his decision to pursue a career in healthcare. He knows the importance of perseverance, having experienced homelessness and living out of his car for six months at the age of 18, but eventually earning a college degree and gaining acceptance into the TCC program. Conner is determined to use his education and experience to help others and make a positive impact in the field. 

​

​

​

Erwin

Erwin is a first-year student in the Radiologic Technologist Program.  Erwin shares, “It has always been my passion to serve and help other people. Luckily, I was able to employ that passion when I became an assistant to a doctor when I was 17 years old. I was fortunate to help the underserved in the Philippines at a young age. I continued my passion when I migrated to the US and have worked in the medical field since 2012. Working in the hospital and witnessing the importance of radiographic science in the prompt diagnosis and management of patients led me to pursue a career in Radiologic Technology. I hope to  encourage my siblings and other immigrants to pursue education and achieve successful careers in the medical field. Also, I have a passion for photography, so looking at radiographic images is not only informative but also fascinating.   Along with my goal to obtain my ARRT certification,  I hope to serve as a role model for my siblings and other immigrants to pursue education and achieve successful careers in the medical field.”

​

​

Fatima

Fatima is a first-year student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. She received a bachelor's degree in 2021 from Portland State University. Growing up she always wanted a career in the healthcare field, and when she came across sonography, she knew it was the one for her. She enjoys the idea of sonographers working as a detective, using ultrasound machines to detect disease or anything that's causing patients pain and discomfort in their body. After shadowing many different sonographers in various settings, she fell in love with sonography even more and decided to pursue a career in this field. Her long-term goal is to continue learning about the field of sonography and teach younger girls in her community to pursue this career. She also wants to advance and one day maybe teach sonography.

​

​

Rena

Rena is a first-year student in the Radiologic Technologist Program. Her goal is to graduate in 2024 and is determined to set an example of hard work and dedication to her 10-year-old son. After graduation, Rena plans to gain as much experience as possible by working at both a hospital and a clinic. She is passionate about helping others and believes that diagnostic imaging is an incredible way to provide patient care. She is eager to learn and grow in the field and is excited to see where her career in radiologic science takes her.

​

​

Stephen 

Stephen is a first-year student of the Radiologic Technologist Program. He shares, “I am thrilled to be pursuing a career that is both fulfilling and exciting. I strive to help others wherever and however I can. This was one of the many things that drew me to radiology. The fact that there are many branching paths that one can take to learn and grow excites me! While I have never been the most book smart, I make up for that in tenacity and determination. I have worked in the healthcare field as a CNA for the past nine years and am passionate about serving others with compassion and dedication to the needs of the whole patient. I am excited to be part of the scholarship program and equally the mentorship aspect." As a father of two daughters, his family is his main drive in his pursuit of a growing career. As a graduate of the class of 2024, he is looking forward to his career in imaging and serving our community with the greatest skill and knowledge he can bring to the healthcare system.  
 

​

​