Diagnostic Medical Sonography News November 2019 | Page 3

Picking a Health Care Career:
Why I Chose Ultrasound
When I decided to change careers earlier this year, I explored the Health Sciences options
at EFSC. My knowledge and career experience are in the healthcare field, an area that
is steadily growing. Programs that appealed to me the most were: Veterinary, Nursing,
Radiography, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography. After researching each for program
completion details, professional responsibilities, facilities worked in, employment
outlook, pay rate, and career advancement, I chose Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
In 2001, I graduated from the Health Sciences department at EKU in KY with a Bachelor of
Science in General Dietetics. A few years later, I started working as a Nutrition Educator
at the Florida Department of Health WIC Food Supplemental Program. I wanted to
advance in my career and completed a dietetic internship. By doing so, I was qualified
to sit for the national Registered Dietitian (RD) exam. Thereafter, I was credentialed as a
Licensed Dietitian (LD). Six years after taking the RD exam I was discharged from my job
due to health issues that were affecting my job performance. After months of searching
unsuccessfully for employment as a dietitian, I decided it was time for a career change.
After all, I have a responsibility to support my children and bills to pay.
I’m excited that my career path is changing to pursue a new career in Sonography. For
me, it’s the versatility of the career that is so appealing. One can choose to be a general
sonographer or specialize in an area of interest. For example, specialty areas are:
Vascular Sonography, Echocardiograms, Breast, or MRI certifications. One can choose
to work in private offices, hospitals, medical centers, clinics, or sometimes emergency
rooms and urgent care facilities. Currently, my areas of interest are: Vascular Sonography,
Echocardiogram, and MRI.
My plans after graduation include: to secure employment in Sonography, to work and
acquire experience, to advance my education and specialize, and possibly complete
the Bachelor of Sonography. There are many options available through EFSC for
education advancement in the Health Science field. Once in the program and clinicals
are completed, decisions will come that will determine the course of my future in
Sonography.
Joanna Langel
Program Intern
Civic Pride
This year the Civic Pride Task Force consisted of Molly Sanchez, Emily McNaught, Kalie
Williams, Elizabeth Jackson, and Amanda Belcher. The team focused on social issues that
affect the Melbourne area to guide our decision in whom we recognize for their work
in the community. Two main topics that came up were the environment and veterans,
more specifically the suicide rate of veterans. As a group we decided to award a local
group for each topic; the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition and the Florida State
Chaplin of the American Legion post #117. During the week of November 11th, we met
with the president and treasurer of the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition thanking
them for their environmental work. We also met with Barry Roberts the Florida State
Chaplin out of the local American Legion post #117, to show appreciation for their work
with veterans.
The Civic Pride Task Force awards
the Brevard Indian River Lagoon
Coalition and the Florida State Chaplin
of the American Legion post #117.
Diagnostic
Medical
Sonography