Owens Outstanding Graduate O’Brien Finds Perfect Restart in Diagnostic Sonography
Megan O’Brien spent nearly six years as a phlebotomist. When she lost the passion for that job, she was on the hunt for something new.
She wanted to stay in the healthcare field, and once she started looking into it more, she knew it was what she wanted to do.
O’Brien enrolled in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology with a goal of setting herself up for success in the future. As a spring 2025 graduate from Owens Community College and the program’s outstanding graduate, O’Brien achieved that.
“I tried my best to apply myself to every scan that I did. I tried to take every constructive criticism that I could and apply it to my next scan,” O’Brien said. “I think I excelled in the clinical rotations. I graduated with multiple job offers, which I’m so thankful for. I think it was my work ethic in the clinical field that set me apart.”
The Dundee, Mich., native admitted the last two years have been exhausting, but having the job opportunities makes it all worth it.
During those long days and difficult times, she found motivation in just how much ultrasound interested her. Her passion comes from the technical skill involved in being the eyes of the radiologist while finding and documenting pathology.
“I really found an interest in this field and making a difference in the patients’ lives, and making a difference in how I was skilled as a scanner,” O’Brien said. “I truly love doing it.”
O’Brien appreciates the opportunity to put patients at ease. She’ll need that skill in her next stop, as a pediatric sonographer at Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan.
“A hospital is scary to kids; all of these machines, all these lights and cameras,” O’Brien said. “Being able to put a child at ease is step one, and then trying to put the parents at ease while you’re scanning their children is step two. It puts more of that patient care aspect in play. You’re not only caring for a patient, but you’re caring for a patient’s parent and putting their mind at ease.”
She never anticipated going into pediatrics, but she changed her mind after one rotation.
“It’s different, ultrasound is always the first line that they go down because there’s no radiation, there’s no risk,” O’Brien said. “Ultrasound is so important in the pediatric world. … Ultrasound in general is such an important modality. I feel like the pediatric side is much more so because you don’t want to rely on those other modalities.”
While O’Brien knew she needed a change from phlebotomy, the prospect of starting over was scary. While she was talking herself out of it at first, her family and friends kept her moving toward a bigger goal.
“It must have been meant to be that Owens was so close to me,” O’Brien said. “I am grateful to the Owens program. They do an amazing job to get you ready for your career. The program is tough. It’s exhausting, but it kind of has to be. This is a very important career, and they do an excellent job of teaching you. I feel ready to graduate. I feel confident in my ability.”
Published May 2025