EGCC Alumnus and Healthcare Hero Shares his Rad Tech Training

Radiologic Technology Alumni Aaron Straney, a 2012 graduate of the Radiologic Technology program at EGCC and current Radiology Supervisor at Holyoke Medical Center in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He’s licensed in Radiography and Computer Tomography(CT Scans).On his education at EGCC:Aaron enjoyed his time at EGCC immensely. From his clinical site at Trinity to his colleagues and the EGCC instructors, everything was great. “They’re all passionate and dedicated. This rubbed off on me. I’m at a teaching hospital right now and am using a lot of what I learned from instructors at EGCC. I feel like I can give that knowledge to the students at my hospital.”On being in healthcare during a pandemic:

“With the pandemic, you do get nervous. I’ve been thinking back to my Instructor, Jody Eick, and my intro to health care class she taught. It’s one of the first classes we took and it involved the basics of health care. I learned how to keep my patients and myself safe. Subtle things you learn that doesn’t seem important at the time and now I look back and see the importance. Even just the basic things about sterilization and hygeine.”“In radiology, we have to be right in there alongside the nurses and doctors in the isolation units with the COVID patients. Taking chest x-rays and cat scans are important tools in diagnosing COVID. Imaging is a crucial tool in diagnosing patients and there are certain things to look for in the lungs. You are concerned especially at the beginning of the pandemic but that’s really been replaced by a feeling of pride about being able to help these patients.””During all of this, often you are doing stuff not in your job description- helping nurses, doctors, doing whatever is needed. Seeing first hand the team work involved in healthcare is really inspiring and keeps me going every day.” Aaron, thanks for sharing your experience with us and for being out there on the front lines. We are so proud of you!Aaron Straney, a 2012 graduate of the Radiologic Technology program at EGCC and current Radiology Supervisor at Holyoke Medical Center in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He’s licensed in Radiography and Computer Tomography(CT Scans).On his education at EGCC:Aaron enjoyed his time at EGCC immensely. From his clinical site at Trinity to his colleagues and the EGCC instructors, everything was great. “They’re all passionate and dedicated. This rubbed off on me. I’m at a teaching hospital right now and am using a lot of what I learned from instructors at EGCC. I feel like I can give that knowledge to the students at my hospital.”On being in healthcare during a pandemic:“With the pandemic, you do get nervous. I’ve been thinking back to my Instructor, Jody Eick, and my intro to health care class she taught. It’s one of the first classes we took and it involved the basics of health care. I learned how to keep my patients and myself safe. Subtle things you learn that doesn’t seem important at the time and now I look back and see the importance. Even just the basic things about sterilization and hygeine.”“In radiology, we have to be right in there alongside the nurses and doctors in the isolation units with the COVID patients. Taking chest x-rays and cat scans are important tools in diagnosing COVID. Imaging is a crucial tool in diagnosing patients and there are certain things to look for in the lungs. You are concerned especially at the beginning of the pandemic but that’s really been replaced by a feeling of pride about being able to help these patients.””During all of this, often you are doing stuff not in your job description- helping nurses, doctors, doing whatever is needed. Seeing first hand the team work involved in healthcare is really inspiring and keeps me going every day.” Aaron, thanks for sharing your experience with us and for being out there on the front lines. We are so proud of you!

Teacher Education Student’s drive inspires college!

Jessica Lynch is an EGCC Teacher Education student and a great source of inspiration for Gators everywhere. Her story is one of perseverance rooted in a passion for teaching.

“Prior to the year 2017, I was an average, healthy, young adult who worked a full-time job at a daycare center & went to school full time at another community college. Three months after I had my daughter, I became sick with Pulmonary Hypertension. Pulmonary Hypertension is a progressive lung & heart disease that ultimately ends in death. I was told in April of 2017 to be prepared for the worst & to spend as much time as I can with my daughter & fiancé.”

“My passion has always been to teach. I knew that I may not have the opportunity to finish school but what matters to me is how I spend the rest of my time, while I have the borrowed time to spend. I want my daughter to see & to know that her mom works hard no matter what the situation brings. I think the determination to not give up & to still pursue my goal even in my borrowed time, made me strong & kept me around. I have something to fight for. I fight for my family, my career, & myself. Keeping my passions & goals in life are helping me to stay motivated to keep fighting.”

“When I become an educator, I genuinely hope to encourage students to not just learn in my classroom, but to learn that life may not go the way one plans. But it’s what you do with your time, that matters.”

“What I love the most about the Teacher Education Program here at EGCC is the ability to work at one’s own pace throughout their time at EGCC. Being a mom of one daughter and one currently on the way, having the opportunity to take courses online and at my own pace has been an awesome and smooth experience. It has also helped me to achieve my goal in a little over a year with taking three classes each 8 weeks. I would recommend Eastern Gateway Community College to future students. The professors are all very kind, thoughtful, encouraging, and understanding.”

We want to congratulate Jessica on graduating in December 2020 and for never giving up on her career aspirations!

EGCC TRIOS ALUMNI GOES FAR WITH TRANSFER

Tianna Cobb is a former Eastern Gateway student who studied under the Associate of Science -Biological Sciences (AS – Transfer) program before going on to graduate from Baldwin Wallace University in their Pre-Physical and Athletic Training program. She currently is an Athletic Trainer, a Faculty Member and an Advisor for the Sports Medicine minor at Case Western Reserve University.

Tianna was like many students who were not quite sure what they wanted to do in their future careers. She knew she liked hard Sciences and even started the Respiratory Therapy Program but immediately knew it was not for her. She became a TRIOS student and started receiving advising advice from TRIOS staff member, Mary Beth Jones.

“Mary Beth would ask me about what I wanted to do in the future to help me make decisions. Pretty soon I was going into the TRIOS offices in between classes even just to hang out. They really helped steer me in the right direction. It was a lot like a family.”

Tianna explained that TRIOS was a special place for her to grow and also take on a leadership role.

“I developed a program, The Students for Cultural Diversity group, while I was a student that supported minority students and had a goal of bringing us together in a safe place. We also honored and celebrated local community members. This helped me not only develop leadership skills but also earn leadership scholarships to Baldwin Wallace.”

Tianna started classes in 2009 and was able to get all of her prerequisites out of the way and graduate from BWU in three years with low debt thanks to her start at EGCC and the scholarships she acquired.

“TRIOS and Mary Beth still have a place in my heart. My advice for current and future EGCC students is to take advantage of the people that are there to help you. Also, Join TRIOS if you can!”

Eastern Gateway Community College can help you with your career preparation and transfer plans. We look forward to hearing from you!

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