DALLAS, Pa. - Samantha Weikel, of Shamokin, a member of the class of 2015 at Misericordia University, was like most high school students working their way toward graduation and eventually college. She dreamed of a promising career filled with excitement and travel, such as a painter or an astronaut or an archeologist.
As a young adult, she eventually realized those dream jobs were not truly meant for her. A daughter of Norman Weikel, of Shamokin, and the late April Kline, knew she wanted to be in a profession that helped others, especially those most in need, like in a hospital setting. At first, the Shamokin Area High School graduate explored the caring profession of nursing. Up next was medical imaging, thanks to a suggestion by a family member.
After being accepted into the Bachelor of Science program in medical imaging at Misericordia University, Weikel had several job shadowing opportunities at a regional hospital system that reinforced her decision.
"This realization was based upon the pace of the workplace, along with becoming more aware of how large a difference I could make in people's lives,'' she said. "While many people choose their major, I truly feel as if medical imaging had chosen me in the sense that it was a natural and right choice for me.''
Lambda Nu, the national honor society for the radiologic and imaging services, also agrees with her career path. The junior medical imaging major at Misericordia University recently was awarded a competitive 2013 Lambda Nu Scholarship. Lambda Nu has 141 chapters in 42 states across the country. Students in each of the chapters were eligible to apply for the 15 scholarships that are awarded annually. Fifty-seven students applied for the awards.
The scholarship award will assist Weikel in completing the 18-month certificate program in diagnostic medical sonography at Misericordia University after earning her bachelor's degree in medical imaging in May 2015.
"I believe by having knowledge and credentials of two modalities, I will be able to help more people and become more likely to succeed within both careers,'' said Weikel. "I hope to be able to have a great understanding of both modalities and then be able to traveling within the profession.''
At Misericordia University, Weikel is an active member of the Medical Imaging Club, Medical Imaging Mentoring program and is a lab assistant for Elaine Halesey, professor and chair of the Department of Medical Imaging. In a service-learning academic course, she participated in the "Bone Academy" in which Misericordia students teach young children about the bones in the human body and for them not to be afraid of X-rays. Through Campus Ministry, she has volunteered at a regional food pantry.
For more information about the medical imaging program at Misericordia University, call 570-674-6400 or log on to www.misericordia.edu/mi. Founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County's first four-year college and offers 34 academic programs on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full and part-time formats.