Current Position: Radiation Therapist, Lehigh Valley Health Network
Story Posted: Summer 2024
“What led me to choose GMercyU was the quiet campus and the beautiful environment surrounding it,” said Sara, a Belvidere High School graduate of 2020. “My first visit to campus was on a tour, and I was impressed with the spacious campus and the helpful personnel all over the school.”
Experience in Radiation Therapy Program
I chose Radiation Therapy because I want to be able to make a difference in the world, especially through healthcare. Cancer care is such a difficult aspect of a patient’s medical experience, and my goal has always been to help make the process more bearable for them.
Sara’s cohort of classmates made the difference in her college experience. They leaned on one another for help in classes and while studying for their board exams.
“My favorite class was Anatomy and Physiology with Dr. McClain, as it forced me to learn new study methods and really developed me as a student,” Sara said.
As part of her learning experience, Sara completed her clinical rotations at several area hospitals, including St. Luke’s – Bethlehem; Fox Chase Cancer Center – Buckingham; Lehigh Valley Health Network – Muhlenberg; and Fox Chase Cancer Center – Philadelphia. She was primarily responsible for learning room setups for each patient, operating treatment machines safely, and completing competencies in each of her rotations.
My biggest takeaway from these experiences was that a good team is essentially to thrive as a department. Good communication and respect for coworkers are the most important aspects to create a successful team.
Life on Campus
Sara was a member of Lambda Nu Honor Society and Alpha Eta Honor Society during her time on campus.
“My favorite part about GMercyU was the relatively small student population. Each student gets as much one-on-one time as possible with professors, ensuring their success,” Sara said.
Why GMercyU?
“I would recommend GMercyU to a prospective student because it is an extremely rewarding experience. Not only are the Mercy values a big part of the teachings in many classes, but they are applied through the way Professors treat their students and how students treat each other,” Sara shared.
Post-Graduation
After graduating from GMercyU in 2024, Sara secured a job as a per diem Radiation Therapist at Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Pocono and Hecktown Oaks location.
