Mega Doctor News
Selene Rodriguez
As she concludes her first year as a full-time faculty member at South Texas College, Nora Peña, a proud graduate of STC’s very first Diagnostic Medical Sonography cohort, now seizes the opportunity to give back to the institution that launched her career.
A mother of four and grandmother of three, Peña brings a wealth of expertise as the first instructor to hold degrees in both radiology and sonography from STC.
“My journey to sonography was challenging, yet I always felt that health care was my true calling,” the 44-year-old shared. “One of the greatest advantages of pursuing a career in the medical field is the ability to find options and a job fairly easy, something I really needed when I became a mother at 17.”
Originally from Mexico and raised in Edinburg, Peña first pursued a career as a dental assistant, inspired by the care her daughter received as a baby.
“My first daughter motivated me to pursue more in life, to better myself,” she said. “During her first dental appointments, I would be intrigued by how they treated her and took x-rays of her tiny teeth. My interest in diagnostic imaging was born right there, but at that time, I chose to become a dental assistant.”
After eight years, she realized her career wouldn’t advance much further unless she became a hygienist or dentist. She then decided to enroll in STC’s Radiologic Technology program, graduating in 2009 and working for eight years in the field.
But it was sonography she was truly passionate about, so, with a strong relationship with faculty and staff at STC, she was among the first to learn about and enroll in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program when it opened in 2016.
“The beauty of sonography lies in our responsibility to be skilled in our work, as every diagnosis depends on what we see,” she explained. “As sonographers, it’s crucial to understand pathologies and human anatomy so we can continue to investigate – why is there a mass, why is there fluid? It’s truly fascinating. At the end of the day, everyone is beautiful on the inside.”
After seven years of working at RGV Mobile X-rays, scanning patients at various locations beyond hospitals, including nursing homes, jails and private residences, she found the opportunity to return to STC once more.
“STC has given me the opportunity twice to find a career I love, and now it’s happening once more,” she said. “Having been a student less than 10 years ago, I see myself in my students and I find it incredibly rewarding to be a part of their journey.”
Amazed at how the college has tripled its resources since her time as a student, she takes pride in being part of a student-oriented culture, especially celebrating a 100% pass rate in the most recent graduating cohort.
“When the program started, we had about three sonography machines. Now we have eight, from a wide variety of manufacturers, and a fully equipped lab featuring realistic scenarios,” she said. “In a field that depends heavily on technology, these resources provide our students with the best tools to be competitive in their careers.”
She emphasized the moment her students graduated and became peers, as one of her most cherished experiences from the past year.
“Many of these students I met at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, where I still work part-time, when they were doing their clinical rotations,” she said. “Witnessing their growth into confident professionals now thriving in their careers has definitely been the most rewarding experience.”
Today, Peña enjoys being a grandmother, while also raising two toddlers of her own, embracing this second phase of motherhood.
She is committed to her future at STC, relishing the rewarding experiences and opportunities that working in education has provided her.
“I see myself being here for a long time. This is my forever home. Since 2007, I’ve journeyed from student to teacher, and I can’t imagine my future anywhere else.” For more information about the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program or other programs offered at STC’s Nursing and Allied Health campus, visit nah.southtexascollege.edu/ or call 956-872-3100.
