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Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Wayne State University

News from the Radiation Therapy Technology Program • Winter 2021


Letter from the program director 

Jeannetta Greer

Compassion is an attribute necessary for those who want to work as radiation therapists. We must show compassion to all patients, to their families and to each other. I worked as a radiation therapist for nearly 30 years before becoming the Radiation Therapy Technology program director at Wayne State University. It was a rewarding career. I enjoyed helping patients and their families. Sometimes I would bring food and clothes to patients in need. It gives me such joy to help others.

Now, I am responsible for students learning the requirements to become excellent radiation therapists. Yes, the students learn the technical skills and operations that are needed to be good radiation therapists. However, being proficient in technical skills only doesn’t make one a good therapist. Not only do patients want advanced treatments and technically skilled workers; what they value most is the compassion that goes along with that care. As the students prepare for graduation, my hope is that they find joy working in this field. If they show compassion, others will believe they are the best radiation therapist for the job!

Compassion goes a long way. Pass it on,

Jeannetta Greer
Program Director, Radiation Therapy Technology
Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Wayne State University


Hope above all: RTT student's tattoos represent patient impact

Wayne State University Radiation Therapy Technology student Ivana Juncaj has been deeply affected by her young patients – and she is marking her experiences in permanent ink. In her own words, Ivana tells the powerful stories behind her tattoos

Read Ivana's story

Heartbeat tattoo

Hope above all tattoo


The hidden talents of our RTT students

When we handpicked our students for our competitive program, we knew they were special. They each had high grade point averages and excelled in interpersonal skills such as compassion, caring and empathy. In addition, our students must be adaptable to a rapidly evolving technical field. We have since learned that in addition to these attributes, many students have hidden talents that are worth mentioning!

Azalea MillerAzalea Miller is a talented young woman who has developed a business of painting and refurbishing furniture. She paints not only faux finishes on tables and home accessories but beautiful vivid color canvas artwork as well! With online learning in place through the university's Canvas platform – we have been able to see some of talented Azalea’s artwork.

Azalea explains: "My business is called Boldly Manifested and currently we are specializing in custom art in a variety of forms such as stickers, acrylic paintings, logos, furniture and cards. I'm also designing pieces intended to promote mental health awareness and a positive state of mind. In the future, I will launch my 'expression sessions' where we will discuss topics, meditate or plan through them, then as a group we create our own paintings to remind us of how powerful we are!" 

Azalea's art

Boldly Manifested logo

Azlea's art: A sticker that says Bloom Where You Are Planted under a blue flower

Azalea's street art

Delta X, with Dunca Llope at leftSenior RTT student Duncan Llope is a musician who started playing guitar in high school. Duncan’s dad gave him a guitar as a Christmas gift and he hasn’t stopped playing since! In 2015, he formed a band, Delta X, in which he is the lead guitar player as well as the main songwriter. Delta X has released multiple albums and played at various venues.

I think everyone can agree that music can influence our emotions and have an effect on our well-being. Did you know that music is the most requested comfort aid to help patients through their radiation therapy treatment? In the words of Ray Charles, “Music is powerful. As people listen to it, they can be affected. They respond.”

Duncan said that COVID-19 has made playing shows difficult; however, his band's dedication has persevered with members recording, mixing and writing at home. He says, “Creating music has always been the most important aspect for me.” We wish Duncan and the band members of Delta X all the best – and look forward to hearing the band jam post-COVID!


Meet new faculty member Alisa Kagen

Alisa Kagen

A Wayne State RTT alumna herself, Alisa Kagen has been a radiation therapist for over 30 years. She enjoyed helping people during their extremely difficult times and loved the patient-therapist relationship that is unique to the field of radiation therapy. In addition, she enjoyed seeing the changes that evolved in the cancer treatment field.  

"I have always loved mentoring, teaching and instructing the students who would rotate through Providence-Novi and Southfield, and I feel very fortunate to now be a part of Wayne State University as an assistant clinical professor," she said. 

Alisa believes strongly in the beauty of customer service and will instill in her students the importance of making patients the number one priority through good communication skills, empathy and compassion. "Our customers are our patients. Patients put their trust in us, and it is our responsibility as teachers to make sure students graduate being the most competent and skilled therapists possible," she said.

Alisa has a wide range of interests and hobbies. She loves the outdoors and on nice days can be found cycling, running, hiking or kayaking. She also loves to read and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Alisa is an avid animal lover and has two toy Yorkies and a beautiful cat named Charlie.

"I am so thrilled to be a part of the Wayne State Radiation Therapy Technology program," she said. "I'm so excited to be teaching, and I love working as a team with Jeannetta and Kurt."

Welcome (back) to Wayne State, Alisa! 


What our students have learned during COVID-19 

Student group at work in green and gold masksOur students are truly rock stars. They not only started their clinical rotations during an extremely stressful time – they have thrived! Working with cancer patients can be challenging during the best of times; over the past year, our students have proven to have tremendous emotional strength and the ability to face adversity with a smile and positive attitude. 

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on many of our students. Junior Steven Forgue wrote about his own experience with COVID and how it reinforced “that life is precious and short.” Steven also said that the pandemic has given him a new perspective: “It affects everyone so differently and takes a toll on the body.”

In addition, many of our students are finding creative ways to connect with family and friends. Mark Sabit says that COVID has reinforced the importance of keeping in contact with friends. Pre-COVID, he had gotten together with a group of guys every week for the past five years. Now, they continue to stay connected but the logistics have changed. They meet online to play games and keep in touch.

Students also commented on how staying connected with friends and family has been challenging, and that COVID has taught them how important it is. Kaylee Bell said, “It is so easy to get caught up in the routine of life and now during COVID it has forced us to really take a step back and look at what truly matters in life.” In addition, she said, “COVID taught me you never know what is to come in life, but as long as you are doing what you love and are with the people you love, everything will work out in the end.”


BellRinging out

Ring this bell
Three times well
Its toll to clearly say,
My treatment's done
This course is run
And I am on my way!

— Irve Le Moyne

Recently when our students were asked what they found rewarding about our field, they commented on the unique relationships we form with our patients. Radiation therapists see patients for weeks at a time, often daily, and special bonds form! Kaylee Bell said, “The fact that I will have the chance to put a smile on somebody’s face every day brings me so much joy.”

Steven Forgue commented on another unique aspect of our field. When patients finish their treatment, they ring a ceremonial bell. The whole department claps and wishes the patient well. This practice of patients ringing the bell after completion of their treatment is a worldwide radiation therapy department tradition.

I think we all can agree with Steven. What a unique, wonderful and special tradition!


Praise for clinical instructors

Our students celebrated National Radiologic Technology Week in November 2020 by sending gratitude to their clinical instructors. Below is one praise report from student Kaylee Bell. Many more are available here.

Kaylee Bell, Mary and Deb at Ascension St. John"The radiation therapists I would like to give recognition to are Mary and Deb from Ascension St. John Hospital in Grosse Pointe. Mary has been a radiation therapist for 35 years; she graduated from the Wayne State University program in 1985. Deb began her career as an X-ray technician and was an X-ray tech for 16 years before becoming a radiation therapist in 1993. These two ladies deserve to be appreciated every day. I am currently in my first clinical rotation of the program and I went into that hospital on my first day knowing pretty much nothing. They were nothing but patient, kind, and encouraging to me every single day. They continue to help me learn and grow each day I am there, and I am so grateful for them. Not only do they continue to teach and help me learn radiation therapy every day I am there, but they also show me how wonderful this job is by patient interaction. They truly care and have love for every patient they see. They make connections with each patient and every patient absolutely adores them and personally, I believe, that is what makes this job so wonderful and was a huge reason why I chose this as my career. I cannot thank them enough for all that they have done for me these past couple months, they are incredible people and even better radiation therapists."


More RTT headlines

Hand in hand: Radiation therapy technology seniors launch mentoring program to show juniors the way

Radiation therapy technology students earn scholarships from state association

Teaching hands-on professions under hands-off circumstances


We want to hear from you!

If you have suggestions or contributions for future newsletters, or just want to drop us a line to say hi, please don't hesitate to email Assistant Clinical Professor Alisa Kagen.

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