Three’s company for Radiography graduates

July was a special month for three BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography graduates from the University of Teesside. For the trio, Tracey Gallacher, Donna Sedgewick and Janine Hutchinson, all started work as Radiographers at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, on the same day. They all clinched their new posts on the same day, back in January. Another two Teesside Diagnostic Radiography graduates, Natalie Gartland and Emma Benton also started work at the hospital in July.

Tracey, 33, from Middlesbrough, has achieved a First Class degree, only one of three on the course to do so. She came to the University after working for the Benefits Agency for eight years, both in the Tees Valley and Leeds. She originally gained three ‘A’ levels in History, Biology and General Studies from St. Mary’s Sixth Form College and joined the civil service straight afterwards.

She said: “I only intended to work for a year and then go to University to train as a PE teacher, but then I got used to earning. When I was 29 I enrolled for ‘A’ level Human Biology night-class at Middlesbrough College, as I’d always liked science at school. I got an A and this gave me the confidence to aim for the Diagnostic Radiography degree, I wanted a vocational science course.

“My friends thought I was absolutely bonkers to pack my job in, and studying full-time was a bit strange at first. The anatomy, physiology, physics and pathology modules were my favourites. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of working on my own.”

Both Donna and Janine came to the University straight from Further Education Colleges. Donna, 21, from Stockton, gained three ‘A’ levels in Physics, Sport Studies and Biology at Stockton Sixth Form College. She said: “I chose Radiography as it’s a skilled career with the opportunity to work with lots of different people. My clinical placements were invaluable, particularly at the Cardiology Department in the Newcastle Freeman Hospital and the University Hospital of North Tees; you got to experience a variety of scenarios. I’ve never worked at James Cook before and am looking forward to the challenge of working there when the Hospital becomes one site, incorporating Middlesbrough General and North Riding.”

Janine, 22, from Thornaby, previously gained a BTEC National Diploma in Sports Science at Teesside Tertiary College. She said: “I heard about Radiography from a friend and thought it sounded like a really interesting career as I’d always wanted to work in health care. I enjoyed my placement at North Tees, where I worked with a range of patients, including Accident and Emergency, GP referrals and outpatients. I think it’s really good that we started work on the same day, we can support each other.”

All three are the first in their families to graduate from University.

For more information on the BSc (Hons) degree in Diagnostic Radiography please call 01642 384110 or 384113 or check the University of Teesside’s web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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