Class of 1990
May 17, 2022
Graduating from Shawnee State University in 1990 with a degree in Radiologic Technology, Gwen (Stover) Lanning is currently a Radiology Operations Manager at Adena Regional Medical Center.
“I knew I wanted to be in healthcare to help others, but I also knew I did not want to be a nurse,” she said. “After doing some research, radiology seemed like it would be a good fit.”
Finding her way to SSU was an easy choice since it was close to her hometown. As she entered her classes for her program, she knew she had found the right profession.
“I always loved learning and school but the clinical experience was life changing,” she said. “I loved getting to learn ‘on the job’ and meeting so many other Radiology professionals.
Following her graduation, Lanning started working as a Radiology Technologist almost immediately. In her career, she has continued serving in different roles within radiology at Adena Regional Medical Center.
“I started at Adena in 1990 as a Rad Tech,” she said. “I became the Clinical Instructor in 1991 for SSU students. I then moved and was a staff CT Tech, then Lead CT Tech for many years. I moved into a manager position in 2011. I am currently the Operations Manager for X-Ray and CAT scan.”
Throughout her career, Lanning has been able to stay connected to her alma mater as she interacts with alumni and current students in the program.
“I love that I still have the connection with Shawnee through many of the technologists that work at Adena and our clinical students,” she said.
Looking at students that are interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry, Lanning offers her advice.
“A career in the medical field will always be valuable,” she said. “Always be open to learning different ways of doing things. There will always be a patient or a situation that will throw you for a loop, but you have to come up with a creative solution to provide them with great care.”
The SSU Radiologic Technology program prepares students for careers as radiographers, who work under the supervision of medical radiologists or physicians in hospital radiology departments, clinics, commercial x-ray laboratories, or doctors’ offices. Radiology Technologists aid in the diagnosis of many pathologies and diseases as they provide adequate positioning and appropriate exposure techniques to offer quality diagnostic images with the lowest exposure dose to the patient. Students in the program are provided knowledge on anatomy, positioning, exposure factors, and radiation safety practices while learning high quality patient care.
To learn more about the Shawnee State University Radiologic Technology program, visit shawnee.edu/rad-tech.