At Moraine Park Technical College, hands-on learning is a cornerstone of student success, and sometimes, these educational experiences go beyond the classroom. This was precisely the case for Sheena Hoekstra, IT Network Technician at Moraine Park, whose willingness to help students with their training led to a potentially life-changing health discovery.
In the fall 2024 semester, students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program at the Beaver Dam Campus needed volunteers to practice thyroid scans. Hoekstra, having previously volunteered for other scans, stepped forward once again. Under the guidance of DMS instructor Ivy Dvorak, student Kenlyn Zellmer conducted the scan, revealing three masses on Hoekstra’s thyroid.
Although ultrasound technologists in training cannot diagnose conditions, they are trained to identify abnormalities. If something concerning appears during an educational scan, volunteers are advised to follow up with their healthcare provider. Understanding the importance of this recommendation, Hoekstra scheduled a medical ultrasound with her doctor. The scan confirmed what the student had observed, prompting her physician to order a thyroid biopsy.
Fortunately, the biopsy results came back benign, and no further treatment was necessary. However, this experience underscored the vital role that hands-on education can play—not just in training students, but also in potentially detecting health issues early.
“The experience was incredibly valuable from an educational standpoint,” Dvorak said. “The DMS program thrives on having volunteers come in to be scanned, as it provides students with the opportunity to practice and refine their skills. Many individuals have anatomical variants or congenital anomalies that become apparent during scanning, and it’s an excellent learning opportunity for students to be able to identify both normal and abnormal anatomy. The hands-on experience also helps to better prepare the students for their clinical rotations, where they’ll gain even more experience working with actual patients. This particular experience offered the student an in-depth understanding of thyroid scans and identifying normal versus abnormal anatomy.”
Hoekstra reflected on the experience, recognizing that this unexpected discovery could have been crucial if the masses had been malignant. Thanks to the educational exercise, she was able to gain peace of mind and ensure her health was in check.
Hoekstra’s story is a testament to the real-world impact of Moraine Park’s technical training programs. For Moraine Park students, instructors, staff and volunteers, this serves as a reminder of the incredible value of hands-on learning and community involvement.
To learn more or volunteer for Moraine Park’s educational scans, visit morainepark.edu/experience-mptc/services/student-learning-labs/ultrasound-scan-lab.