The winner of the Spring 2020 Sonography Student Scholarship is Olivia Newcomer from Dallastown, PA. Olivia has been accepted into the Bachelor of Science degree program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Misericordia University, where she will begin in the Fall.
The Ultrasound Schools Info student scholarship is a semi-annual, non-renewable $1,000 scholarship awarded to an aspiring sonographer currently enrolled or accepted in a CAAHEP accredited diagnostic medical sonography program.
Applicants to this year’s scholarship were asked the question “Why have you chosen to pursue a degree in diagnostic medical sonography?” Here’s Olivia’s winning essay:
The Winning Essay from Olivia Newcomer
Olivia Newcomer, winner of the Spring 2020 Sonography Student Scholarship
I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. My medical career interests have changed many times over the years. I finally crossed paths with medical sonography, and I was immediately interested. A few years ago, I had an abdominal ultrasound of my own. I got to see the sonographer use the transducer and see the images projected onto the screen. It had, and still does, amaze me that we have the ability to look inside the patient. It doesn’t require radiation and heavy lead protection, just gel and a transducer. Ever since this experience, I have known that ultrasound was the career for me.
The medical field has been my career interest from the start. My mom is a nurse and knows the field very well. After hearing about her experiences working in hospitals and with patients, I knew I wanted to do the same. Nursing was my first thought, as many students interested in the medical field explore this option first. It never stuck with me though, it always seemed like there was something else out there for me. I did research and different career programs, through my high school. I also participated in a medical imaging day at a local hospital hat explored all the different specialties within the imaging field. When I finally came across sonography, it was an instant connection.
There are so many aspects of sonography that fascinate me. Sonographers can work in different environments, can become a specialist/certified in different body systems, and get to use advanced technology to help people. I like the variety that is offered with being an ultrasound sonographer. My favorite part of sonography, is the relationship you have with a patient. It’s direct, one on one with the patient you are scanning. I want to be a part of a team that can help diagnose a medical condition so the patient can receive the right treatment and in turn, improve their quality of life.
I have decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Misericordia University in the Fall 2020. I chose a bachelor’s program because I would like to have the opportunity to advance in my career. I can obtain a management position or even teach sonography to future students. At Misericordia, I will accumulate over 1300 hours of clinical experience in a variety of clinical settings. This is going to help me achieve my goal of becoming a successful ultrasound technologist in the future.
For all of these reasons, I want to pursue a degree in medical sonography. It is a challenging, yet rewarding career that I am ready to take on. The field of sonography is always changing and evolving, and the demand for medical sonographers continues to grow. The more that I learn about this field, the more passionate I become. At Misericordia University, I will get the experience I need to become a successful Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. I cannot wait to obtain the title of Olivia Newcomer, RDMS.