Every Day is a School Day at LHSC

With Labour Day over and summer ending, thousands of London students are returning to school for the first time in months. For many students, summer is about spending time with friends, relaxing at the beach, or working at a summer job. For the majority of students at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), summer is no different than any other season on their path to a career in health care.

As one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals, LHSC is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and research. Each year, LHSC educates a wide range of national and international students from over fifty schools, hospitals and community agencies. Our students become doctors, nurses, laboratory and radiology technicians, radiation therapists, physicists, researchers, social workers, dietitians, and more.

While most students were enjoying their summer off, Radiation Therapy students Jessica Csoborko and Julia Brown were receiving their clinical education at the London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP) at LHSC. They came here for their one-year practicum after studying for two years at the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences in Toronto.

"Completing my education as a Radiation Therapist at LRCP has provided me not only with the opportunity to work with the latest technology, but to also understand what the treatment experience is like for patients,” says Jessica Csoborko, Radiation Therapy student.

Like many students at LHSC, Radiation Therapy students work closely with a large team of health professionals. These relationships are as rewarding to our staff as they are to the students.

“I enjoy the moments when the students suddenly grasp a concept, knowing that with each of these moments a strong foundation of knowledge and appreciation of lifelong learning is being built," says Amanda Williams, Radiation Therapist.

Csoborko agrees, “The staff are very supportive of the students and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated, caring group of people."

By the end of their year, the students will have learned how to apply the knowledge gained in school to the practical clinical settings of the hospital. They may also build on their close ties to LHSC and choose to begin their careers here. Before long, they too will be a part of our strong tradition of passing knowledge on to future students.

Radiation Therapy students Jessica Csoborko (L) and Julia Brown (M) work with Radiation Therapy Instructor June Harriman-Duke (R) to set up mock patient, Amanda Williams, Radiation Therapist, on a radiation treatment unit.