 Alumni Interviews:
Norma Ward
Positive experience as a patient led to training at Iowa
"Our students are the future of Iowa, of our
nation. By giving back to the UI, alumni are making an investment
in our students' education, health and families. It's
not just an investment in our university; it's an investment
in Iowa and our nation."
Norma Ward's first impression of the University of Iowa
came at a very young age. As a child, she was treated for a kidney
problem at the UI Hospitals and Clinics and felt a real connection
with the institution from that moment on.
"That first impression of the UI was so positive and caring.
The physician who treated me was like a grandfather to me."
Today, Ward is an alumna of the University of Iowa Carver College
of Medicine's Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Med Tech) program
and a current staff member of the UI's pathology department
and takes an active part in this role. She feels the UI's
Clinical Laboratory Science program is one of the best in the country.
"Our program is better suited to most students. They get
both the academic, classroom education they need as well as hospital
and laboratory experience. Not every hospital has the resources
that we do to have a program of this kind."
Ward also feels that opportunities are wide and extensive for
students at the UI. These extra opportunities better help develop
the skills that are needed to do research-based laboratory work.
"Opportunities at the UI are unique. Not every hospital
program has the forefront clinical laboratory that we have. Our
program works as a springboard into other medical disciplines,
which gives students a broadbased education."
However, she feels that sometimes students can feel limited in
their field and opportunities can seem unattainable. For students
entering the work force, she advises that they become more diverse
in their field of study.
"Coming generations are going to do more than we are doing
today. Don't limit the scope of your field. There are so
many paths that Med Tech students can follow these days. From research
to industry and computers, the field is really wide open. Use the
profession for what it's worth."
Ward also says that alumni can help students find which path
they want to take. By mentoring students, alumni can make a connection
with students and serve as potential educators and employers."
Whoever the alumnus, Ward feels that everyone should give back
something to the UI. Whether it's time or money, all alumni
have something to share.
"Our students are the future of Iowa, of our nation. By
giving back to the UI, alumni are making an investment in our students' education,
health and families. It's not just an investment in our university,
it's an investment in Iowa and our nation."
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