Reina Chinen - Class of 2017
February 9th, 2022
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Alumna Celebrates Graduation and Pursues Career in Ultrasound
Reina Chinen ’17 graduated from Seattle University two weeks ago with a bachelor’s in diagnostic ultrasound. She currently works as a per diem sonographer at Swedish Medical Center in Issaquah, Washington.
After interning at a private practice imaging company during her senior year at PBA, Reina felt that ultrasound stood out the most and chose to pursue it. Before working at Swedish Medical Center, she interned in Bellevue as a diagnostic medical sonographer and worked part-time as a clinical research assistant in Seattle.
Now, Reina’s daily tasks include administering a variety of abdominal and obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) ultrasound exams. “I love interacting with patients,” said Reina. “The most rewarding part of my job is being able to identify different pathologies in patients and to give them an explanation for their symptoms. My job also presents some challenges, including practicing proper ergonomics, or posture, while scanning. If you don’t practice good posture while doing ultrasound, then it could lead to potential chronic pain in the future for the back or wrist,” explained Reina. Reina also explained that a common misconception is that sonograms are only for pregnant women, but in reality sonogram patients can vary from toddlers to elders.
“For now, my position is per diem, but I hope that in the future a full-time position will open up for me at Swedish,” said Reina. Reina plans to continue her studies in preparation for her board exams and plans to get certified in general, OB/GYN, and vascular ultrasound.
