Although Rachelle Teare’s upbringing brought a number of hardships, it also set her on a path to finding the career she loves: sonography.
Originally from Mulvane, Kansas, Teare’s parents divorced when she was young, and being raised by a single father was challenging at times. Looking back, the experience ultimately taught her how to be self-sufficient and empathetic — skills that now benefit her work with patients.
When it came time for college, Teare looked into options of how to pay for tuition. A visit to a U.S. Navy recruitment office sold her on enlisting.
During her service with the Navy, Teare wanted to be a corpsman but because the positions were full, she worked as a sonar technician instead.
“I ended up loving it,” Teare said. “I loved the challenge and puzzle of it all.”
She did two tours, one based in Virginia Beach where she tracked submarines, and one on the USS George H.W. Bush.
The latter was a six-month deployment in 2017. At the time, the ship was the first aircraft carrier to port in Israel in 17 years and was part of a documentary, “Carriers at War,” which is available to watch on Paramount Plus.
After six years with the Navy, Teare began looking for civilian careers similar to her sonar technician role.
Diving into sonography
Now, as a student in Newman University’s sonography program, Teare is preparing to become an ultrasound technician. She currently works as a patient care technician in the postpartum unit at Wesley Medical Center — a role she loves and enables her to practice her skills.
Teare’s degree from Newman will help her as she continues her journey in the field of sonography.
“I’m excited that I get to use my skills and my passion to help people,” she said. “I also think it’s always a nice confirmation to have answers that sometimes doctors or nurses or other professionals can’t give you. The fact that we’re able to do that and provide an environment to help people in those situations, to make them feel comfortable through the process, is really neat.”
Brooke Ward, director of Newman’s sonography program, feels that Teare will go on to make a big impact in her career.
“I believe anyone who gives their time for our country already has the heart to serve,” Ward said. “Given her background, I believe she has now linked herself to a career of like-minded people that are committed to the same cause. She will be a great addition to the sonography community.”
Earn a sonography degree
While earning a sonography degree, students are trained to be highly skilled medical professionals that perform diagnostic ultrasound testing under the supervision of a physician. Diagnostic medical sonography includes abdominal, obstetrical, vascular, cardiac and various sub-specialties.
