Transforming Trauma into a Cardiology Technology Career – Vicky’s Story

At Anderson College, we are constantly amazed by the courage of our students, faculty, and staff. In December 2021 we ran a “My Courageous Moment” story-gathering campaign to celebrate our students, their strength, the moments that have defined their lives and the people who have motivated them to overcome and succeed.

In sharing our stories, we realize we are not alone and are often inspired to recognize, or to find, our own extraordinary courage. We hope the following story moves you, as it has our Anderson family.

In the middle of 2021, I courageously decided to pursue the rigorous Cardiology Technology program at Anderson College, as a survivor who resiliently overcame trauma, illness, and injury. I chose the possibility of a rewarding career, where I can help improve cardiovascular health outcomes for fellow survivors.

Almost a decade ago, I survived chronic abuse and harassment from a former driving instructor. I was too young to fully comprehend its long-term impacts. Despite not being able to enjoy high school due to this traumatic experience, I managed to graduate as an Ontario Scholar, and got accepted into the University of Toronto in Scarborough. Midway through my university studies, I was diagnosed with tachycardia, which I did not give much thought to at first, and simply attributed to university stress.

“I realized all my traumatic experiences and health challenges, from abuse and anxiety to tachycardia, were interrelated. This ignited my fascination with cardiovascular disease.”

Less than a year later, while working for the government, I suffered from depression, anxiety, bronchitis, and painkiller dependence after failing my road test. Although I healed after receiving counselling, treatment for bronchitis, and completely abstaining from painkillers, re-entering university was particularly challenging due to many triggers. Then, I realized all my traumatic experiences and health challenges, from abuse and anxiety to tachycardia, were interrelated. This ignited my fascination with cardiovascular disease, but I was unsure about how to act on it.

So, I first completed my co-op undergraduate degree with distinction in 2018, as many say, “against all odds”. In 2019, I overcame yet another obstacle when I left my full-time job as a medical office assistant to heal from an infected sprained-ankle injury and the associated heart palpitations I experienced. I prefer to view this unfortunate situation as a positive because it solidified my interest in cardiovascular health.

“I officially started classes in the Cardiology Technology program, and it is one of the best decisions I ever made.”

I began researching careers in cardiology and came across Anderson College’s Cardiology Technology program. Immediately after the open house, I knew this was the career I had always dreamed of and applied. By September 2021, I officially started classes in the Cardiology Technology program, and it is one of the best decisions I ever made.

My story of courage is a series of interrelated health and social challenges that I decided to transform into the possibility of pursuing a career, where I will hopefully improve the well-being of fellow survivors. This vulnerable group often faces cardiovascular health complications associated with, or resulting from, traumatic experiences. My lived experiences helped me to appreciate how a quick and accurate diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions using cardiology technologies can be life changing because it is often the first step in exploring co-morbidities.

Hopefully, with the support of my kind and knowledgeable instructors I will transform my one courageous decision, many courageous moments, passion, and dream of improving cardiovascular health for trauma survivors into a reality.

Do not be afraid to pursue your passion regardless of your identity, or any of its associated barriers.

Vicky V.

If you’re still finding how you can align your life experiences, interests and passion with your healthcare career, take the “Anderson College Medical Professional Career Training Quiz”.

To learn more about our Cardiology Technology program or other 30+ leading-edge programs to help you take life to the next level of success, book a virtual appointment with our Admissions Team today!