June 20, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- For a trio of GRCC Radiologic Technology students, applying for a prestigious postgraduate program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Schools of Medical Imaging seemed like a longshot, at best.
The five-month, full-time program prepares students for advanced certification in computed tomography and includes classroom courses in everything from cross sectional anatomy to CT procedures and protocols with associated clinical experiences in oncology, pediatric, critical care, trauma and more.
Fewer than 10% of those who apply annually are accepted.
Kyle Cottrell, Alen Dzafic and Emma Seeber, members of the class of 2022, knew that their GRCC education was second-to-none, and they knew the work they had put in during their time on campus had prepared them well for whatever their futures might hold.
Still. The Johns Hopkins? Fewer than 10%?
“It seemed pretty overwhelming,” said Cottrell with a smile. “We all applied last minute.”
“And it’s a long application,” Seeber added.
“Then we all got asked to do the interviews,” Dzafic concluded. “And so, we thought ‘Maybe?’”
Those interviews, done over Zoom, also were intimidating, the three said.
“Oh man,” Cottrell said, “45 minutes. Eight or so people from Johns Hopkins. So many questions. It was just one question after another.”
“I’m pretty sure I repeated myself once or twice,” Dzafic added as Cottrell and Seeber both roared with laughter.
But then came the emails.
Each student received one.
Each was a “yes.”
A 100% success rate for the three GRCC grads.
Heather Klare, an assistant professor and clinical coordinator in the Radiologic Technology program, said the outcome – acceptance into a fully paid internship that includes both clinical and didactic education together – is amazing.
“All of us in the program were thrilled with the students’ acceptance,” she said. “The honor of being accepted into this program speaks volumes about these students, their knowledge, their abilities as future radiographers, and their willingness to take a chance to apply for an opportunity that does not occur very often.”
For their part, the students said Klare and the other professors in the program --plus the GRCC courses they took and their many clinical experiences -- are the reason for their success.
Klare said the Radiologic Technology program provides students learning opportunities that enable them to attain certification as Registered Radiographer in Radiography. It also introduces them to other modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography as possible certifications in the future and empowers students to succeed in an ever-changing healthcare environment.
Beyond that though, the students said, the program has people who care -- lots of people.
Dzafic, Seeber and Cottrell recalled FaceTiming with Klare when they found out that all three of them had been accepted.
“She was so excited,” Dzafic said. “I think she might have dropped her phone, jumping up and down.”
Seeber beamed as she remembered that moment.
“Heather is one of the most involved, fantastic people I have ever met,” she said. “She wants to see you do well, and she makes sure that educationally and academically that you are put in a position to succeed.”
All three noted that good support is critical because their program is rigorous.
“There were so many times my brain just hurt,” Seeber, a 2017 Forest Hills Central grad, said laughing.
“There’s clinicals and homework and studying and sometimes it’s like it never ends,” added Cottrell, a 2016 graduate of Catholic Central.
“But there isn’t anything we took that was fluff,” said Dzafic, a 2014 graduate of Forest Hills Northern. “And, at the end, the payoff is real. You work hard and you graduate and then you have a job, a career, in front of you. It’s a good feeling.”
All three graduates said the job security of their profession is appealing but so is the variety of opportunities they can pursue going forward.
“My sister asked me once what you can do with an X-ray degree,” Seeber recalled.
“Anything you want,” Cottrell answered with a broad grin.
“It’s always changing, and there is always something new,” Dzafic said.
“I know I’ll probably end up selling equipment someday,” Seeber said. “Once you’ve worked for a while with the various machines, it’s pretty easy to transition to sales. You’ve gained some credibility, so that’s something I’ll probably explore.”
Before then though, the three colleagues and fast friends have some preparations to make. Their program in Baltimore starts on July 25, and they have to wrap things up in Grand Rapids, find places to live in a new city and much more.
“They now are preparing to take the national American Registry of Radiologic Technologists board exam in July and juggling their other personal and professional obligations,” said Klare. “But our program has prepared these students to be adaptable.”
The students agreed. They’re heading east, they said, with smiles on their faces, knowing that new opportunities await and that they’re Raider-ready for whatever comes next.
This story was reported by Phil de Haan.