An image for success – Sonography student dreams big
Student of the Week: Velma Aguilar
October is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month, because of this South Texas College recognizes Sonography student Velma Aguilar. Velma says attending South Texas College is the culmination of a deep love for education as well as a strong desire to help people in a healthcare setting.
Returning to college in January 2019, Velma says she intends to graduate in May 2020 with her Advanced Technical Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Initially graduating from the former University of Texas-Pan American, Velma said she received a bachelor degree in kinesiology with a focus on athletic training and health.
When she graduated however, Velma said she took a different career turn. Utilizing instead her minor in medical Spanish she entered into a career in education assisting migrant students with the English language.
“I think this is a way of helping someone more than I thought I could,” Velma said. “When you think about it a certain way, you realize that a doctor can’t treat someone if he or she doesn’t have a patient’s images. This has been a wonderful experience for me.”
“I think this is a way of helping someone more than I thought I could. When you think about it a certain way, you realize that a doctor can’t treat someone if he or she doesn’t have a patient’s images. This has been a wonderful experience for me.”
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Advanced Technical Certificate at South Texas College is a program that provides educational and clinical experience in ultrasound physics and instrumentation, use of Doppler imaging, and cross-sectional anatomy and pathophysiology in the abdomen, pelvis, obstetrics, gynecology, and superficial structures.
Throughout the clinical and practicum aspects of the program, students train in various medical facilities with experienced sonographers.
Upon successful completion of the program, students receive an Advanced Technical Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and are ready to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) national examination.
When she graduates, Velma said she her ideal career would be in traveling sonography to further assist people or even animals in a veterinary setting.
As a message to her peers, Velma says success always come from a passion for doing what you love to do.
“When you really want something, you just know you are going to be successful,” Velma said. “If you’re just doing something just to do it, I don’t think that’s the right mindset to have. It makes a huge difference when you truly decide on something you know you will love to do.”