Graduate provides cancer treatment at four Indiana hospitals

BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College alumna Emily Taylor is now a radiation therapist who works on-call at four Indiana hospital locations, including Franciscan Health Cancer Centers in Indianapolis and Mooresville, IU Health Bloomington Hospital, and Schneck Medical Center in Seymour. As a radiation therapist, Taylor provides traditional photon radiation therapy treatments. Taylor graduated cum laude with an Associate of Applied Science in Radiation Therapy in 2016.

“My favorite part of being a therapist is learning about my patients and who they are outside of the hospital,” said Taylor. “I want to be able to help them get back to their daily routines in life without focusing on the negative circumstances present in their bodies. I am able to build relationships with them since I see them for treatment on a daily basis. It’s my job to be kind, be a friend, and mostly a support system for each person.”

Taylor previously attended a four-year university, but decided to enroll at Ivy Tech because she was able to work while attending classes, and because of the low tuition cost.

“Attending Ivy Tech was one of the best decisions I made,” said Taylor. “College can be expensive, so knowing their costs were very little compared to most schools encouraged my being there.”

After enrolling, Taylor persisted in her studies because of her instructors.

“My professors understood that every student had a life outside of the classroom, and most students were working hard at not only building an education, but also a personal life,” said Taylor. “After graduating, I felt prepared for what was ahead of me due to having wonderful professors who connected with their students.”

Taylor said Ivy Tech helped prepare her for employment in several ways.

“Academically, the radiation therapy program provided me the opportunity to travel to multiple clinics around southern Indiana to receive hands-on practice in the field I was preparing for,” said Taylor. “Both of my professors were radiation therapists, so the relationship and understanding of knowing how to teach and organize material was well thought out and prepared for our learning.”

While continuing to work full time hours between four different hospitals, Taylor is now completing her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Olivet Nazarene University. Taylor was able to transfer many of her Ivy Tech college credits toward her bachelor’s degree.

“Getting a bachelor’s degree will simply just further my résumé, skills, and educational experience,” said Taylor. “I love my job as a therapist, so I hope I get the chance to grow into a better therapist for my patients, their families, and all those depending on me to help give back to the community through healing those who are sick.”

For information about Ivy Tech Bloomington’s radiation therapy program, the only accredited associate degree program in the state of Indiana, visit ivytech.edu/radiation-therapy.

Ivy Tech Bloomington offers many associate degrees and short-term certificates in the healthcare field. Other associate degrees offered include Healthcare Specialist, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Medical Assisting, Nursing and Practical Nursing, Optometric Technology, Paramedic Science, and Respiratory Therapy. For a full list of degrees offered in Bloomington, visit ivytech.edu/bloomington/academics.