We’re proud of the ambitions and accomplishments of our students and alumni – learn some of their stories in our monthly feature:
Student Spotlight
Calvin Martin ‘20
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Program
Calvin Martin grew up on a dairy farm near Bowmansville, PA, spending his youth milking cows and operating tractors. He recalls that at around five years old, he already wanted to know what makes a car drive. That curiosity about how things work stayed with him and ultimately prompted his study of health care and the human body. After teaching a variety of subjects to middle school students for nine years, Calvin completed the Paramedic program at PA College in 2016 and began working as a full-time medic. “I enjoy the variety of emergencies we encounter. I also love the challenge that comes with being one of the most advanced providers in the prehospital setting,” Calvin shares.
At the same time, he enrolled full time in our Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program, which he is on track to complete in May. Calvin has especially enjoyed the physical sciences courses in this program – such as anatomy & physiology, microbiology, and immunology. While completing many of his courses online gave him the flexibility to continue his work as a night-shift paramedic, Calvin has also enjoyed his time on campus. “My professors were amazing and fun to work with,” he adds. After graduation, Calvin will begin the Physician Assistant program at Penn State College of Medicine. While he’s not yet decided on a specialty, Calvin thrives on the variety and suspense of not knowing what will come next, so is leaning toward continuing his work in emergency and trauma.
Alumni Spotlight
Michael Vogel BS, CNMT, RT(N)(CT), RSO
Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Radiation Safety Officer, University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
Three-time alumnus Mike Vogel embodies the PA College commitment to life-long learning. After graduating from our Nuclear Medicine Technology certificate program in 2012, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in this discipline from York College of Pennsylvania. He later returned to PA College to complete studies in CT (2015) and MRI (2019). “The hands-on clinical experience I gained throughout my time at PA College has allowed me to tackle any challenge that is thrown at me. Having a strong base knowledge of Nuclear Medicine has set the foundation for all of the career challenges that I have faced,” shares Mike.
Today, Mike is a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson. He oversees the day to day operations of a nuclear medicine department and performs nuclear medicine procedures. In his RSO role, Mike oversees the hospital’s radiation safety program and ensures that patients as well as staff are using radiation within state and federal guidelines. He also stays busy with a few PRN jobs and is a CT technologist at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital. As the Maryland representative for the technologist advocacy group with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and later as Chair on the Maryland Board of Physicians Radiologic Technology Committee, Mike helped to enact changes to state law that now allow nuclear medicine technologists to practice diagnostic CT, in keeping with national practice.
Mike also serves as adjunct faculty at PA College and York College of Pennsylvania. He is most proud of how this role allows him to teach future health care professionals and see them excel. “I see students flourish in the classroom as well as the clinical setting. In my Nuclear Medicine Department, we have had students from the PA College program for the past four years, so I have watched these students transition from first semester students to coworkers,” adds Mike.
Mike lives in the Towson, Maryland area and enjoys hiking and traveling. His most recent trip was to Zion National Park in Utah, to hike Angel’s Landing.
Seeking People of PA College
Do you know an exceptional current student or alumnus whose experiences and accomplishments would help tell the PA College story? Or someone who has overcome an obstacle or reached a challenging milestone during their PA College experience? Please email your suggested names (and identify them in one of these categories) to Karen Jenkins. Self-nominations are also welcome!