In the spring of 2023, Benjamin Garcia stepped onto the Newman University campus for the first time with aspirations of adding radiologic technology to his arsenal of expertise.
Originally from Houston, Garcia travelled the world during his 20 years in the U.S. military, serving in the Air Force as a medic.
During his military commitment, Garcia was stationed in Florida, California, Kansas, Oklahoma and even as far as England and Germany.
Garcia worked as an independent duty medic and did “almost all the different functions and disciplines in the medical field,” he said. All that is, except for radiology.
“I have a degree in applied sciences in nursing technology from the Community College of the Air Force and completed training with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians along with other bits and bobbles here and there,” Garcia said. “X-Ray was one of the few tools I didn’t get to play with in medicine, so I just wanted to get the full diversification there.”
Overcoming obstacles
Before enrolling at Newman University, Garcia’s excitement for the future flipped to fear when medical challenges arose.
On a routine check-up with his doctor, Garcia was diagnosed with lung cancer. It meant he had to undergo surgery, and “a chunk had to be taken out,” he said.
“I had some severe illnesses to the point that they had to remove my colon completely,” Garcia added.
Fortunately for the soon-to-be Newman graduate, Garcia was informed that he didn’t require radiation or chemotherapy. However, issues with a J-pouch and stoma put a halt to Garcia progressing down the path he wanted.
“Through it all, I’m very, very lucky, fortunate and blessed compared to where I could have ended up,” he said.
After two decades of military service and becoming a disabled veteran due to his severe health issues, some would think Garcia would simply enjoy retirement. But after being retired for seven years, “I just didn’t want to ride on the couch anymore,” he said.
Instead, Garcia is more driven than ever to give back through service to others.
“Service is hard-wired into all the programs at Newman, and it should be, in my opinion,” Garcia said. “Right now, our society could use a little more of everyone helping each other out.”
Space to flourish
Garcia’s biggest takeaway from his experience in the radiologic technology program at Newman speaks volumes: “Newman has given me renewed hope for our society, how we can all be one from many.”
He added that the staff, faculty and students are some of “the best people I have met in all my life,” Garcia said.
He describes the people he met at Newman as nothing but supportive, friendly, open and honest.
“It is everything we aspire to be when we talk about society — it’s all here,” he said. “I look around and I don’t see anyone not flourishing at Newman.”
Garcia will graduate from Newman on May 17 and has plans in the works for his near future. He is actively completing a student technology internship and will take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification exam in June. Once he earns his licensure, Garcia will accept a full-time position in September.
“If everything lines up, I’ll start the CT (computed tomography) program that they have at Wesley Medical Center,” he said. “The plan is to be dual modality, not just diagnostic imaging.”
A life milestone
The Derby, Kansas, resident turns 50 this year, but doesn’t plan on having any big celebrations. Instead, he looks forward to enjoying the little things in life.
“Once you get to your middle ages, being with people who make you comfortable is more important and enjoyable,” Garcia said. “Like my life partner who has been fully supportive with everything, amazingly, almost to a ridiculous degree.”
Garcia looks forward to continuing his lifelong service to others, this time in a new and exciting setting.
Explore a career in radiologic technology
The radiologic technology degree at Newman University empowers graduates by giving them the skills necessary to be a highly valued employee through providing high-quality, compassionate patient care.
