AMBOY — University of St. Francis recognized Stefanie Gardner, 2000 alum, in celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week at the beginning of November. Gardner was part of the first class that graduated with a bachelor’s degree in radiography. Today, she is a clinical coordinator at SwedishAmerican Hospital School of Radiography.

It was her mother’s career that inspired her.

“My mother was in health care (respiratory & echocardiogram) and worked at our local hospital when I was growing up. I always thought I wanted to be in health care, and taking X-rays sounded like a neat thing to do,” she said. Her mother is Kathy Gardner of Amboy.

Gardner looks back on her time at USF fondly, noting that "the science department faculty was so good to all of us." Outside of the science classrooms, she really enjoyed classes taught by professor emerita Sr. Rose Marie Surwilo and working as a student athletic trainer.

After graduating, Gardner worked at Silver Cross Hospital, followed by Lake Forest Hospital where she worked as a clinical instructor. Deciding she wanted to live closer to family, Gardner moved and started working for SwedishAmerican Hospital, which coincidentally has a partnership with USF through the 2+2 program for radiography students.

Gardner’s advice for radiography students?

“A successful student in our program possesses good time management skills, is organized and has the drive to succeed even when it becomes hard. Health care science programs are extremely hard and time consuming. It is also very helpful for a student to have a good support system whether it is from family and/or friends,” she said.