Investing in Student Diversity: EPiC Pipeline
Left to right: Nuclear physics resident Bria Moore, nuclear medicine resident Domnique Newallo, and Medical Imaging Program graduate Kiana Barcus
The Emory Pipeline Collaborative (EPiC) provides students from disadvantaged backgrounds with pathways to health sciences careers like medical imaging. EPiC is part of the National Health Careers Opportunity Program Academy at Emory funded by a five-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Participating high school students enjoy three-years of college prep and health-career exploration programming plus mentoring to help them graduate and then matriculate to college. Undergraduates receive scholarship funds, mentoring, and academic support to ensure their success.
Kiana Barcus, RT(R), is one of the first medical imaging Pipeline scholars. Being born six months premature and with only one lung meant her childhood was full of medical imaging to track her growth. Kiana was fascinated by the pictures of her insides. When college-age Kiana accompanied her mother for a mammogram that led to a breast cancer diagnosis, she saw anew the power of the pictures. “That sealed it. I had to become an imaging technologist.”
A first-generation college student, Kiana found Emory’s program through an online search. She immediately fell in love with CT. “CT is the lifeline for anyone with any kind of trauma. I love how you can learn so much from such a quick procedure.”
The Pipeline scholarship offered Kiana her own lifeline. “I’m so glad Ted (Brzinski) suggested I apply. The scholarship money covered most of my tuition which allowed me to invest in extra study materials to help me complete my program. It took away the worry about affording scrubs and even gas to get to classes. Pipeline gave me a mentor who cared about me and supported me while my mom was being treated for breast cancer.”
In addition to her Pipeline mentor Ajeenah Bullock, MSRS, RT(R), Kiana values the support of her advisor, Kimberly Cross, MSRS, RT(R). Kim customized CT training for Kiana and brought in CT tech-turned nuclear medicine radiologist Dr. Domnique Newallo to provide additional tutorials.
Kiana graduated in July 2020 and wants to give back as she starts her career as a CT technologist at Emory Midtown. “I never imagined I would go to Emory but here I am with an Emory diploma and an exciting career ahead. I want to help students know what’s possible. It means so much to help others because so many people have helped me succeed.”
Participating high school students enjoy three-years of college prep and health-career exploration programming plus mentoring to help them graduate and then matriculate to college. Undergraduates receive scholarship funds, mentoring, and academic support to ensure their success.
Kiana Barcus, RT(R), is one of the first medical imaging Pipeline scholars. Being born six months premature and with only one lung meant her childhood was full of medical imaging to track her growth. Kiana was fascinated by the pictures of her insides. When college-age Kiana accompanied her mother for a mammogram that led to a breast cancer diagnosis, she saw anew the power of the pictures. “That sealed it. I had to become an imaging technologist.”
A first-generation college student, Kiana found Emory’s program through an online search. She immediately fell in love with CT. “CT is the lifeline for anyone with any kind of trauma. I love how you can learn so much from such a quick procedure.”
The Pipeline scholarship offered Kiana her own lifeline. “I’m so glad Ted (Brzinski) suggested I apply. The scholarship money covered most of my tuition which allowed me to invest in extra study materials to help me complete my program. It took away the worry about affording scrubs and even gas to get to classes. Pipeline gave me a mentor who cared about me and supported me while my mom was being treated for breast cancer.”
In addition to her Pipeline mentor Ajeenah Bullock, MSRS, RT(R), Kiana values the support of her advisor, Kimberly Cross, MSRS, RT(R). Kim customized CT training for Kiana and brought in CT tech-turned nuclear medicine radiologist Dr. Domnique Newallo to provide additional tutorials.
Kiana graduated in July 2020 and wants to give back as she starts her career as a CT technologist at Emory Midtown. “I never imagined I would go to Emory but here I am with an Emory diploma and an exciting career ahead. I want to help students know what’s possible. It means so much to help others because so many people have helped me succeed.”