"I had an exceptional experience as a student in Mayo Clinic's Radiation Therapy Program. The classes are taught by a variety of professionals in the field, including oncologists and physicists. The program faculty are outstanding as well, always setting you up for success. As a student, you get exposure to many different kinds of technology, including training in both photon and proton radiation treatment. It is a hands-on learning environment, so after graduation, I felt well prepared when stepping into my new role. This field is challenging and forever evolving; I still learn something new every day! After graduation, I started as a proton therapist here at Mayo Clinic, and I absolutely love it! My favorite part of being a therapist is all of the patient interactions. Treatment is one of the toughest things many of our patients have to endure, so becoming a strong and caring support system for them makes this career very rewarding. I cannot thank Mayo Clinic and this program enough for all of the opportunities they have given me."

Next steps: Lily is a 2024 graduate and is now a radiation therapist at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota. 

"I had a wonderful and rewarding experience throughout the entire program. The program is well established, and you are taught by some of the best in the field. Having the opportunity to learn from radiation oncologists, radiation physicists, and radiation therapists provides an illuminating experience. The faculty is dedicated, approachable, supportive, and they all truly prepare you to be knowledgeable and confident in the workplace. Being able to support and connect with patients throughout their treatments is incredibly fulfilling and I am grateful to have this very important opportunity. The curriculum, expansive clinical experiences and passionate faculty far exceeded any expectations, and I felt prepared and excited to begin my career after graduation."

Next steps: Tanna is a 2024 graduate and is now a radiation therapist at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota. 

"Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences has the reputation of having an extremely successful program and perfect board exam pass rates. Having already been a student in another Mayo Clinic educational program, I knew there was no other place for me. One of the most valuable things about this program was learning something in the classroom in the morning, and later that afternoon, directly applying it during clinical rotations. The program has been so well established that everything you learn is applicable to your daily work. My education substantially exceeded every requirement provided by the national board registry. With a solid curriculum and ample clinical experience, the program prepared each and every student to be able to work comfortably and confidently anywhere in the country."

Next steps: Rashad is a 2017 graduate. He went on to complete further education and is now a dosimetrist at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota. 

"I am a very hands-on learner, and I was able to pull wisdom from not only my instructors, but also everyday radiation therapists. My instructors would explain to us why we do something a certain way, and then I could step into the clinical setting and come to the same conclusions first-hand. It was truly this time spent with the radiation therapists in the treatment room that prepared me for my career. We work in teams and it is because of my clinical time that I learned how to communicate effectively with my team members. At the end of the day, we succeed or fail as a department, as a team. Teamwork means everything here."

Next steps: Alex is a 2018 graduate and is now a medical dosimetrist at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota.