Ever since the eighth grade I have been passionate about becoming a radiation therapist. I credit this to a project in which I was required to research two professions in preparation for acceptance into a university. For this project, radiation therapy was suggested to me by a family friend whom was also the administrative director of a cancer center in Miami, Florida. Radiation therapy offers me an opportunity to help individuals who are at one of the most vulnerable and toughest periods of their life. In doing so I am able to be part of a lifesaving team which is very gratifying. Additionally, radiation therapy is a very technically demanding field that combines physics and medicine; two categories of which I am very interested in. In order to learn more about radiation therapy, I began volunteering while in high school at the C. Gordon Griffith Cancer Center at North Shore Medical Center in Miami, Florida. While there, I was able to shadow the dosimetrist as she planned treatments as well as see those treatments in action while shadowing the radiation therapists. When I started attending college at the University of South Florida, I became a volunteer at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer …show more content…
For the project we were tasked with using calculus in real world applications. With the task at hand, I chose finding the dose of radiation given by radiopharmaceuticals used in PET scanning. Due to the interesting nature of my project as well as my excellence in having completed the project I was published in the University Of South Florida Undergraduate Journal Of Mathematical Modeling. Subsequently, I was invited to display my project at a poster conference displaying many of the other projects of my classmates. Thank you for considering me for the University Of Texas M.D. Anderson School Of Health Professions
For as long as I remember, I only had one dream in mind, which was to become a doctor when I grow up. As I grew older, my dream did not change; in fact, it only grew more significant. However, the only aspect of my dream that did change was the type of field that I wanted to pursue. At first, I honestly did not have an inkling of an idea as to what kind of a type of doctor I wished to become. Then, I started to lean towards pediatrics and/or neurology. Now, on the other hand, I decided that I want to study nuclear medicine in medical school. This enlightening revelation came about as I began to volunteer in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center. My time spent there has had an amazing impact on me because I believe that this was the time that I truly realized my dream. Nuclear medicine is medical specialty that uses radioactive substances, or radiopharmaceuticals, combined with imaging techniqu...
Imagine going up for the perfect lay-up, you make the shot but when you land you twist awkwardly and land on your knee. Laying on the ground, you feel the pain surging through your knee, the first line of defense is an athletic trainer, however if this accident happened when you fell on a wet kitchen floor you could expect much the same care from a physical therapist Athletic Trainers are the first to respond to sport related in game injuries, and provide care after injuries. In contrast physical therapist are not only there to fix accidental injuries, and treat chronic bone and joint they help with plans of care and rehabilitation for athletes and non-athletes after injuries. Physical Therapy play a important role in todays healthcare. Physical Therapy are experts of improving and storing motion , they contribute to their patients ‘ quality of life by keeping them healthy , fit , active and in medications . The first school of Modern Physical Therapy opened in Boston, MA , So Physical Therapy have been around for a long time. The Physical Therapy Association Organized by Mary McMillan. It later became the American Physical Therapy Association.World War ll brings changes to Physical Therapy was done at hospitals as patients recovered from injuries , surgeries or other ailments.
Entering my first year of college I didn’t have any idea of what I wanted to do. I still didn’t choose a major let alone a career. I was stuck in between wanting to make enough money that my family would be taken care of financially and choosing a career that I wouldn’t mind going in to work every day. The one thing that I was certain of was that I wanted to be able to help people in whatever I chose to do. After careful consideration and exploring the options available to me, I have come to the conclusion that I want to have a career in physical therapy. Physical therapy is the treatment of disease, injury or deformity through physical methods rather than through drugs or surgery.
The team includes a radiation oncologist, radiation physicist, dosimetrist, radiation therapist, and a radiation therapy nurse. Each member of the team has a specific role in the treatment of each patient. “The radiation oncologist is a doctor specially trained to treat cancer patients with radiation.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) The oncologist will work with the dosimetrist to determine the plan for treatment. “The radiation physicist is the person who makes sure the radiation equipment is working as it should and that it gives you the dose prescribed by your radiation oncologist.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) “The dosimetrist is supervised by the radiation physicist, this person helps the radiation oncologist plan the treatment.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) “The radiation therapist is the person who operates the radiation equipment and positions you for treatment.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) Every member of the team is important to ensure the treatment is delivered safely and effectively as
I have had the privilege of meeting a great number of extremely influential individuals in the realm of radiologic technology, all of whom display the attributes of an outstanding leader. Since beginning my journey I have been inspired to return to the world of education after perfecting my skills as a radiation therapist in the clinic. In applying for the ASRT Student Leadership Development Program I hope to further my leadership skills even more. I am a firm believer in that you can never have too many role models and attending the ASRT-SLDP would expose me to the greatest minds ASRT has to offer. Additionally, I will be able to foster professional bonds with these great minds that have the possibility of making a huge difference in the world of radiologic technology. The ASRT-SLDP will also expose me to other students in radiologic technology and will allow me to share my knowledge as well as gain theirs. Above all, the ASRT-SLDP will give me an invaluable glimpse into the world of radiologic technology education which only serves to better myself and further my
When I was 15, my grandmother suffered from a severe stroke and was advised to go to a rehabilitation center. At that time I had not ever heard of the profession called occupational therapy. Upon visiting my grandmother, I had the opportunity to witness several health care professionals working together to help rehabilitate her. I have always wanted to engage in a career in which I could attribute to helping people, and at first I thought physical therapy would best compliment my natural abilities but then I encountered the occupational therapist. So as I watched her work with my grandmother diligently I realized that I had found exactly what I was looking for.
Curiosity has always driven me towards successful new experiences, from leaving home to become a first-generation college graduate to researching articles as a member of a radiology team. Now I am thrilled to be applying for a residency program where I can indulge my curiosity and immerse myself into the study of radiology.
student. In the following journal, we see the benefit of reflective practice and what it achieves
I have been exposed to the medical field my whole life. My Mom was a nurse and I would love to listen to the stories she told about her time in the hospital. If anybody asked me at the age of five what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say “a nurse like my mom.” A few years later I decided I wanted to be a doctor from the few times I got to watch the television show “ER”. The beginning of my interest in physical therapy was when I met my fourth grade pen pal, Elmo, at a nursing home. Elmo had muscular dystrophy and only retained control of his right arm and pinky which allowed him to manouver his wheelchair. During one visit where we got to spend the whole day with our pals, the physical therapist at the nursing home came to see Elmo. I was allowed to stay and I remember thinking it was so cool that there was one person to help Elmo retain the little muscle tone and mobility he had left. In sixth grade, my class went to the hospital to sing Christmas caroles and I remember the coolest place being the physical therapy room. I thought it was amazing how patients were learning to walk again or throw a ball.
I was inspired and motivated when I saw radiographers worked on X-Rays, MRI, CT and Ultrasound scanners to produce body images which were used for disease diagnosis. Even though I was not performing a technical job, this experience installed me with a positive impression towards my decision to change a career to the Radiography.
Radiation therapists work closely with patients to fight cancer. According to Health Care Careers, Oncologists, Dosimetrists and nurses are some of the professionals that a radiation therapist works with while caring for a cancer patient. This group of professionals will determine a specialized treatment plan. The first step usually includes a CT scan performed by a radiologist to find the exact area that needs to be targeted with x-rays. Next, the therapist uses a special machine that emits radiation called a Linear Accelerator. They use this machine during a treatment called external beam therapy. During this process, the Linear Accelerator will project x-rays at targeted cancer cells or tumors. Another therapist will be in a different room monitoring the patient’s viral signs until the procedure is over. The external therapy l...
Radiology is one of the few so-called “physical-science”-based fields of medicine, making it a challenging and rewarding application of an academic interest in science. It combines advanced knowledge of human physiology with principles of atomic physics and nuclear decay, electricity and magnetism, and both organic and inorg...
However, the radiation technology field requires a composite of skills. From my career assessment, it is evident that my top areas of interest include humanitarian, scientific, and business detail. These are vital in radiation technology because of the complexity of the technology and the importance of dealing with different clients. I researched about radiation technology in ONET, INDEED, and the Department of Labor website, which enabled me to be conversant with the policies that emerge regarding the program. There are a significant number of training providers, which makes it easier for one to choose the best from available alternatives. Trainers demand competent individuals and this is an advantage for me because of the competence I have presented via my track
I have been drawn to the field of science from a young age due to my involvement in physical therapy. I began PT first for my hips and then for my knee as well. Since I never slowed down in my training for dance, I had to constantly go to physical therapy so my body could continue with the strain I was putting on it. However, It wasn't until I was able to see my sister's experience with occupational therapy that I realized how drawn I was to this career. My sister, Marissa, cut her hand when trying to cut food in a Tupperware container. At first she thought she was fine, but then she discovered that she had no feeling in her two fingers and was unable to move them. She had to have surgery to repair the tendons that were damaged, then after had months of occupational therapy to retrain her hand. Viewing this whole situation was extremely fascinating to me. I was a constant pest, asking her questions about everything. I became so curious about the anatomy of the human body. Though it was not my hand that went through all the trauma, I lived vicariously through my sister. Seeing the way the occupational therapy was able to help my sister made me want to learn to help other people in the same
Physical therapists are health care professionals that provide therapeutic services to their patients who have temporary or chronic physical conditions that were caused from injury or disease. Physical therapist also provided therapeutic services to patients after they have gone through surgery to help them gain back mobility and manage their pain. They can also work in preventive care by promoting healthy life styles and instructing individual patients or groups on preventing injury by using exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles. To help their patients try to recover they use massage techniques, wellness plans, and different types of equipment. When a physical therapist sees a patient for the very first time they must do an examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and then put together a physical intervention to start the rehabilitation process. They also work as a team with other health care professionals to help with their patients needs. Physical therapist can really make a difference in their patient’s lives by not only providing therapeutic services but also encouraging and motivating them so they can get better. The main goals of physical therapist are to help their patients retain or gain back lost physical mobility, eliminate or reduce pain, increase productivity and help promote a healthy life style so patients can have a better quality of life and become more independent.