Last year, we announced the GROW! Mammography Fellowship, which aims to help supplement the mammography shortage by providing two all-expenses-paid fellowships for AHEC’s Mammography Initial Training program. Since the announcement, we have had two Fellowship sessions and four amazing Fellowship recipients.
The Fellowship is awarded to two radiologic technologists, one recent graduate and one seasoned professional. Each applicant receives full tuition for our Mammography Initial Training class, complimentary round-trip airfare, a stay at a hotel selected by AHEC, and a daily stipend for the course. For our April class, two applicants were selected by a committee to receive the Fellowship.
Laken graduated with her Associate of Science Degree in Radiologic Imaging Sciences in 2022 and has been working as a radiologic technologist in rural Arkansas since then. As a single mother and the guardian of her younger twin sisters, she aims to not only impart the importance of investing in yourself but also helping her community by providing additional mammography coverage.
“I am so excited for the opportunity to further my education and to learn mammography,” Laken says. “This Fellowship will help me with my career goals in several ways. I want to continue to learn and grow as a technologist and provide the best care for my community. With a strong dedication for growth and patient care, Laken was chosen due to her passion for the field and her commitment to excellence.
Our experienced technologist recipient, Mary, has been a radiologic technologist for over 27 years. She is certified in radiology and CT, but mammography has always been close to her heart. Once Mary found out she was chosen for the Fellowship, her excitement was off the charts. “When I received the phone call telling me I had won the Grow Fellowship, I was in complete disbelief! I had taken a chance and stepped out of my comfort zone to apply, and it paid off! I think it took a good 30 minutes for it to really sink in that I had actually won!”
Mary has wanted to become a mammographer her entire career. With a family history of breast cancer, becoming a mammographer was a goal close to her heart. She aims to combat the staffing shortages and serve her community, and her compassionate nature and devotion to patient care is why she received the Fellowship.
Both of our recipients are bright radiologic technologists, and we are very excited to welcome them to our Houston facility and our Mammography Initial Training program. We believe both will achieve great things as mammographers, and we cannot wait to see their impact on the field and their patients.
To learn more and apply for the next cohort: click here!
