Faculty Spotlight: Gina Carrier

Gina Carrier discovered the world of imaging by chance years ago.

"A close friend of mine was a specials procedure technologist and on call at the time," Carrier explained. "While with her one evening, she got paged to go into the hospital to do a vascular case. Since she had to get there quickly, she asked if I wanted to go, which I did. Although I knew she was a tech (radiographer) I really didn't know exactly what she did or what her responsibilities were. I was fascinated with what I observed that night."

That reignited her spark to go into health care. Although Carrier originally wanted to pursue nursing after high school, she instead obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology. But after watching her friend at work, Carrier applied to, enrolled in and completed the Radiologic Technology program at College of DuPage.

From there she worked as a general radiographer at St. Joseph's Hospital in Joliet. Yet her tie to College of DuPage continued, because she was the clinical instructor for the COD students who were attending the clinical component of the program at St. Joe's. It was her students at the clinical site who told her about an opening at College of DuPage.

"I already held a master's degree because I hoped to one day manage an imaging department. So I had the educational requirements needed to apply but had not given much thought to teaching in an occupational program," Carrier said. "However, after persistence from a radiologist I highly respected and my students, I applied for the position."

Carrier now instills the importance of "quality" in diagnostic imaging to her students.

"I also want them to take pride in their career choice and the profession not only while they are enrolled in the program but also after they graduate," she said. "I want to have a lingering affect."

More about the Diagnostic Medical Imaging -- Radiography program