Nakiiyah Sanders Awarded Jean Turner Minority Scholarship

The Jean Turner Minority Scholarship for Medical Imaging Technology
Administered by Cincinnati Children’s – Radiology Department

Photo: (lf-rt), Dr. Brian Coley, Jean Turner, Nakiijah Sanders, Becci Pryor (BS CRA RT(R)), and Susan Smith (radiology manager).

As a young African-American woman, Jean Turner began her career at Cincinnati Children’s Department of Radiology in the 1960’s working under the direction of the former Radiology Chair Frederick N. Silverman, M.D. Her 40-year career began as a radiology file clerk and she retired as a member of the Radiology Reading Room staff.

Jean developed a love for radiology, but noticed a lack of minorities in the growing and advancing field of Radiological Technology. After discussing this disparity with Radiology managers and leaders at Cincinnati Children’s, the Jean Turner Scholarship Award was developed to create opportunities for minorities in the field of Radiology and to honor her 40 years of service in the Radiology Department. Supporting minorities who are interested in entering the field of Radiology is one way the Department of Radiology furthers its mission in achieving excellence in imaging.

Purpose:
The Cincinnati Children’s Department of Radiology wishes to promote the entrance of minorities into the field of Radiology. We support an increase in the diversity of registered radiologic technologists in all medical imaging modalities-Radiography, CT, US, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, and Interventional Radiology.

Scholarship Award:
• Maximum total scholarship payout is $10,000
• $2500 per semester, up to $5000 per year, for a maximum of 2 years
• Payment will not exceed total of tuition and fees paid for the semester
• Payment will cover tuition and fees only
• Recipient must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 for each semester to be eligible for payment

Photo: (lf-rt), Dr. Brian Coley and Jean Turner.

This year’s scholarship goes to Nakiiyah Sanders.

“Hi, my name is Nakiiyah Sanders. I’m a student at Northern Kentucky University and am currently completing my second year in the Radiology program. Receiving this scholarship is an honor to me. It really means a lot that out of all the applicants, I was selected for this award. This scholarship makes me feel that others believe in my potential, purpose, and goals. It gives me the drive to succeed. I want to be the face for minorities realizing their potential, like I’ve come to realize mine. It’s truly a blessing to receive financial help with college. I couldn’t be more grateful! Within the next year, I will graduate and become a radiologic technologist. I’m going to help others, just as this scholarship has helped me.”

Contributed by Becci Pryor (BS CRA RT(R)) and edited by Glenn Miñano, (BFA).