INA, Ill. (January 19, 2023) — Melissa Pearson Initially thought she wanted to become a Juvenile Probation officer due to a family member's experiences with the justice system. However, after facing a serious health issue and a change of heart, she found Rend Lake College and ventured into a rewarding medical career.
Melissa's story is one of overcoming adversity and finding the silver lining in challenging situations.
Pearson attended a local community college, where she played a year of basketball and studied Criminal Justice and Social Work. However, health complications arose that would change her trajectory. She suffered from debilitating scoliosis and needed corrective surgery.
Melissa recalls a pivotal moment during this trying time. "I was the first patient they scanned with their new EOS Imaging system," she said. "I was used to always having multiple scans and positions. However, this machine did the AP, Laterals, and reconstruction in just one click."
This experience piqued an interest in radiology. She enrolled at RLC. She knew that the college's accredited radiologic technology program (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology) was more affordable than her previous school, and it would allow her to follow her dreams into the medical field.
"I was in the evening program at Rend Lake, which allowed me to work. My classmates were great. We all encouraged each other and helped one another. I am grateful for my time at Rend Lake College and the opportunity it provided me to pursue my dreams and passions."
After graduating from RLC, Melissa's career accelerated. She passed her boards and started working as a radiologic technologist.
Pearson had the opportunity to work in different areas of the hospital, but she found the cardiac cath lab at Carbondale Memorial hospital held a special place in her heart. She fell in love with the work and knew she wanted to pursue her career further. Determined to build on her skills and knowledge, she took on additional certifications while working in the cath lab to become an expert in the field. Through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), Melissa obtained her Cardiac and Vascular Interventional boards and RCIS, which opened more opportunities.
As a result of her hard work, she was offered a full-time role in the cardiac cath lab just eight months after graduating from college. She became a vital member of the team and was promoted to structural heart lead technologist. She was instrumental in starting the TAVR program at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. Melissa was able to help save lives, and she found the experience enriching.
Their motto was 'Learn with Purpose and then Lead with Passion' and she was determined to follow it. Despite some personal setbacks along the way, Melissa didn't let them discourage her from her career goals. She continued her education and enrolled in Weber State University's School of Radiology. She graduated with a 3.98 GPA Summa Cum Laude — winning the Most Outstanding Student award.
She then applied her education and expertise to a closely connected industry working with medical devices. Here she did two jobs with Spectranetics and Boston Scientific. She gained experience and knowledge that would help her along the way.
A few years ago she accepted a Senior Therapy Development Specialist role with Medtronic Structural Heart in Springfield, IL. In this position, she used her imaging knowledge to size scans, create patient summaries for heart teams, attend valve meetings, and do in-services on products and procedures. She even got to scrub into cases and prep and load valves. This role allowed her to expand her skills and knowledge. Proving her passion for excellence, she was promoted to Global Structural Heart Training Lead in the Corporate Training, Quality, and Field Education Department of Medtronic.
This exciting work has taken her to Curacao, off the coast of South America, for case coverage and Thailand for advanced imaging and procedure training.
Melissa plans to return to school to obtain a Master of Business Administration to propel her career even further.
"It's one thing to work for a medical device company, but to work for one that had a significant impact on my life as a patient brings a whole new meaning to our company's mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life."
Final thoughts by the successful graduate include a nod towards the importance of a solid start. "Foundation is everything. Without it, it is hard to build anything sustainable. Rend Lake gave me the foundation in radiology which opened the doors to where I am today. The people I met taught me life lessons I still carry today."
Rend Lake College is incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of Melissa Pearson and looks forward to her continued success.
To learn more about Rend Lake College's Degree and Certificate programs, visit online at rlc.edu/programs.
If you would like to be contacted about the radiologic technology program, fill out the form below.