Life handed JoLynn Mohan a series of unexpected changes.

After staying home to raise her daughters for 17 years, she needed to find a way to re-enter the workforce. The idea for a new career path came from her first career as an athletic trainer, when she worked in an outpatient physical therapy clinic rehabilitating patients from injuries and surgeries.

“I started focusing on working with breast cancer patients, helping them regain their strength and function after undergoing mastectomies as well as treating other pathologies resulting from their treatments,” she said. “In the mid-1990s, not many breast surgeons were focusing on the return to function for breast cancer patients, and I spent time educating them on the benefits of a structured rehabilitation following mastectomies and reconstructive surgeries.

All of the professors modeled pride in their work and chosen profession.

JoLynn Mohan

“I remembered how fulfilled I was by working with breast cancer patients and feeling as if I was able to contribute to positive changes in their treatment. I had friends who were breast cancer survivors and I talked with them about their experiences, the good and the bad. I found this patient population to be very inspiring.”

Mohan had attended shows and lectures at College of DuPage’s McAninch Arts Center and knew of the College’s positive reputation. Impressed with the beauty of the campus and its inclusive energy, she began researching health care programs and met with counselors, which helped her build confidence as she began planning to reach her new academic goals.

“The first step was to complete the prerequisites needed as it had been over 25 years since I graduated with my first degree,” she said. “I was very intimidated by the speech and technology classes. But my instructors were incredibly encouraging, which allowed me to really embrace learning again.”

After finishing two semesters of prerequisites, Mohan applied to and was accepted into the Radiography program. While the next two years were challenging, she also found them fulfilling.

“Every step was guided to assure our success in the field,” she said. “Under the guidance of my professors, I not only learned how to be a proficient X-ray technologist but I also understood how to be a contributing member to the health care system and the importance of involvement in the organizational bodies that govern the profession. I felt this broader perspective helped me to take ownership of my career and guided me away from the ‘it’s just a job’ mentality. All of the professors modeled pride in their work and chosen profession. I was also fortunate to benefit from the excellent clinical education I received. The program’s close relationships with the clinical sites were essential in providing a well-rounded, thorough instruction.”

Mohan earned her Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiography, passed her board exams and found a job that allowed her to apply the skills she had learned. But she knew earning her Radiography degree was required before she could take the next step, which was completing the Mammography advanced certificate program.

“From the beginning, I knew this would, once again, put me back working with the patient population that inspired me and the section of the health care field I knew I could contribute most to,” she said. “Even though the program was only one semester, there was the increased challenge of doing it while I was working 30 hours a week as a single mother. Because of my concerns, I met with the former head of the program, Sue Bertellotti, who had taken the time to get to know me from the Radiography program. She knew what I was facing but also understood my drive, and she encouraged and reassured me to apply.”

While her class was affected greatly by COVID, Mohan saw how all of the professors, under the new leadership of Sue Dumford, were able to pivot and develop new tools to assure proper instruction and clinical experience.

Having graduated with her Mammography certificate, Mohan is a practicing mammographer at Elmhurst Hospital, where she continues to gain new skills and is involved in conversations on improving the patient experience. She also serves on the Advisory Committee for COD’s Mammography program and enjoys her involvement in the Illinois State Society of Radiological Technologists (ISSRT).

She cannot thank COD enough for the education she received and the faculty who took great care in helping their students succeed.

“I know that without the personal approach afforded me by all the educators I had the honor to learn from at College of DuPage and my clinical sites, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my goals,” she said.   

Learn more about the Mammography program at College of DuPage

Learn more about the Radiography program at College of DuPage