By Sylvia Blair

Erika Maier agrees with the theory of the circle of life--that is, we all return to our origins in one form or another. A graduate of Carroll Community College, Maier realized a dream come true when she was accepted into Johns Hopkins University, then later returned home to Carroll County as an employee of Carroll Hospital Center. Without her head start at Carroll, she may never have returned to her roots to give back to her community.

Her story starts simply enough. Like many Carroll County residents, Maier decided that the flexibility of being a part-time Carroll student and the convenience of the college were a natural fit for her. She began her education at Carroll in the fall of 1998 and graduated in the spring of 2002. Maier worked during the day, and attended classes at night or on-line.

“Carroll afforded me freedom. The college is 15 minutes from my home. I was blessed in that I could take well-organized and thought-provoking classes such as chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and physics, all with good instructors,” said Maier, a Carroll County resident for the past 16 years.

After graduation, Maier was accepted into the School of Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine Technology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She remembers that a typical day included lectures in the morning, testing and a lunch break, followed by a clinical experience at an off-site hospital. She trained directly with a technologist treating patients.

“I was ecstatic when I was accepted,” said Maier. “It had been a long-time dream to study at Hopkins.”

Today, Maier is a licensed nuclear medicine technologist at Carroll Hospital Center. In order to become one, she had to pass board certification.

“We work with radioactive atoms that are tagged to chemicals that the body metabolizes naturally. This allows us to visualize individual body systems or organs anatomically with highly sensitive cameras,” she said.

“As a technologist, I need to know the protocol for each study, explain it to patients, inject them with the isotope needed and implement the study to produce the best films possible. I need to fully understand radiation safety to protect myself as well as the patient,” she said.

Maier also kept in touch with her Carroll Community College roots. From 2000 until the middle of this year, Maier worked at Carroll as a testing technician. She gave placement tests, and proctored make-up exams and off-campus testing. She also helped to acquire data for various statistical inquiries.

How does Maier summarize the path she took to realize her dream? “I had to work very hard, but I gained a lot of self-esteem by going back to school.”

She also gained a sense of belonging by studying at Carroll Community College, by becoming a transfer student, and by giving back to the community as a local employee. She will always have a soft spot in her heart for the community college that started it all, allowing her to journey through life in a way she had only dreamed possible.

Erika Maier

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