Savannah resident Olivia Ortiz graduated with her Bachelor of Science in radiologic sciences from Georgia Southern University in May, carrying with her years of experience as a caregiver during her mother’s cancer battle.
From Caregiver to Career
Ortiz’s path to radiology began when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during her senior year of high school. While her mother underwent chemotherapy—which required extended six-hour treatments due to an allergic reaction—Ortiz and her family became overnight caregivers, with Ortiz often working night shifts while her father worked days. Despite the uncertainty and emotional weight of the experience, her mother was present to cheer her on at her high school graduation.
The experience shaped her career direction. Ortiz enrolled at Georgia Southern to study diagnostic imaging, specifically mammography, after witnessing firsthand how medical teams—including radiation therapists, mammographers, doctors, and radiologists—coordinated to provide cancer care. She committed to the radiologic sciences program, spending over 40 hours per week in clinic alongside studying and preparing for board certification exams.
Building a Support System
Ortiz emphasized the importance of finding peers to support her through the demanding program. With her mother’s continued encouragement—checking in daily and asking how school was going—she completed her studies and prepared for board certification.
New Role and Mission
Ortiz has accepted a position as a mammographer at the Telfair Cancer Pavilion at Candler Hospital in Savannah. Reflecting on her mother’s experience and her own journey, she expressed her commitment to patient care: understanding when patients are nervous or scared and ensuring they feel safe, drawing on the compassion she learned caring for her mother.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/2026/05/21/georgia-southern-graduates-journey-from-caregiver-to-mammographer