Julianna Evans, a Diagnostic Medical Sonography major at CUAA, shares her journey through a hands-on clinical program, balancing challenges and rewards, as she prepares for her May 2025 graduation and future career in healthcare.
Julianna Evans, a Diagnostic Medical Sonography major at Concordia University Ann Arbor, has long dreamed of working in healthcare. As she approaches her May 2025 graduation, her experience in the sonography program has sparked an interest in a variety of specialties.
“I have started my OB rotation and I have liked all my rotations so far, such as vascular, OB, and general stuff. I think I would like to work part-time in everything – not sure where I will go yet,” Julianna shares.
CUAA’s Sonography Major
CUAA’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography major, structured in partnership with accredited programs in Michigan and Wisconsin including Ascension Hospital, allows students to complete their first two years on campus before transitioning to hospital-based professional coursework and clinicals. For Julianna, this setup provided a balance between academic coursework and practical experience.
“I did my first two years at Concordia, most of my prerequisites and some classes that had to do with sonography, and I applied to the program a semester before it started. There were a lot of requirements the hospital wanted, but I got in,” she explains.
Hands-on Learning at Ascension
Julianna took a mix of classes, from anatomy and physics to medical law and terminology. These courses laid the foundation for her clinical work, which began almost immediately upon entering the program.
“The program I am in at Ascension is 21 months. The first day is orientation, and the next day you are doing clinicals. You do start off observing for the first week, then the following week you are post-scanning after the techs,” she recalls.
The Most Difficult and Rewarding Aspects
For Julianna, the clinical aspect of the program has been both the most challenging and the most rewarding. “The most challenging part was the clinicals, learning how to deal with some patients. A lot of the hands-on was difficult, especially learning how to scan. I feel like classes were fine; the clinicals were hard,” she admits.
Despite these challenges, the experience has been equally rewarding, and the hard work comes with its own sense of fulfillment. “The most rewarding part is being able to help people. I always wanted to go into healthcare, and nursing was a lot and I wasn’t sure about it either. This was a great medium where I can help people out but also stay in my own little area.”
Lutheran Roots
Julianna’s journey to CUAA was shaped by her background in Lutheran schools and the scholarships she received, which made it an affordable option. Commuting also allowed her to stay close to home. “I was already affiliated with them because I took dual enrollment classes. CUAA is also close to home, and I was not sure about living in dorms, so I decided to commute. Factors like that made it easier to choose CUAA,” she notes.
One of the highlights of her time at CUAA has been the close-knit environment. “I like how CUAA is smaller, so the sonography program is pretty small. I think it is important to get that one-on-one time with students and professors.”
Requirements
A key figure in her academic journey has been Lisa Reimer, Department Chair for imaging sciences at Concordia. “Lisa is amazing with everything and was really good at helping me navigate and get through my prerequisites and requirements and to be able to get into the hospital,” Julianna said.
In addition to completing her prerequisites, Julianna had to complete patient care hours, references, and high grades in science courses. “The volunteer hours were stressful, and I didn’t know about them until a month and a half before the program happened, but I got it done,” she shares.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Julianna is focused on completing her board exams. “After the program, you do have to take boards to get certified. I have already taken one; every sonographer has to take a physics board, and we were allowed to take it after we finished the class. What is really nice about the program is that the last two months, you can start taking your boards.”
Her goal is to stay close to family in Michigan, though she is open to exploring opportunities like travel sonography. “It would be nice to stay with Ascension because I know everyone and their schedules, and I know how the system works. I know it will be changing because Ascension is merging with Henry Ford,” she explains.
As she prepares for the next chapter, Julianna is grateful for the experiences and relationships she’s built at CUAA and Ascension. Whether she stays in Michigan or explores new horizons, she’s ready to make a difference in the field of sonography.
On-Campus Information Session
Curious about Radiologic Technology or Diagnostic Medical Sonography? 🏥💡 Did you know that Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists earn an average of $80,850 annually as of 2023? Learn more about these high-demand fields at our on-campus info session on Tuesday, October 22. Drop by the North Building, rooms 114 and 115, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to explore your future! RSVP today at kimberly.anderson@cuaa.edu.
—This story is written by Keara Chaperon, Social Media Manager for Concordia University Ann Arbor and Concordia University Wisconsin. She may be reached at keara.chaperon@cuaa.edu.