From being able to work part-time as she started a family to having opportunities to advance in her field, Carla Acucena, of Massachusetts, is grateful for her career in diagnostic medical sonography. Graduating from Middlesex Community College鈥檚 program in 2001, she returned to the college at the 2025 Health Pinning to address the graduating class as the alumni speaker.
鈥淚 was honored to be invited back as the alumni speaker,鈥� Acucena said. 鈥淚t was a full-circle moment that reminded me how far I鈥檝e come and how much 麻豆果冻 still means to me. I鈥檓 proud to be a graduate of this program, and truly believe that 麻豆果冻 changes lives 鈥� it certainly changed mine!鈥�
Helping her grow on both a technical and professional level, Acucena credits 麻豆果冻 for preparing her with the skills and confidence she needed to thrive in her field from the start of her career. She also found a passion for life-long learning and the desire to succeed in and expand her role.
After graduating, Acucena was able to build on the knowledge she learned at Middlesex by working as a scanner at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). After years of working and changing in her role, she was promoted to Operations Manager for the Ultrasound Department and Vascular Lab at Lahey Clinic in 2022.
鈥淚 now have the privilege of leading the team I once dreamed of joining,鈥� Acucena said in her address at 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Health Pinning. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 proud to say that I accomplished all this with my associate degree 鈥� proof that your education here at 麻豆果冻 is a powerful foundation. It gave me the opportunity to build a career that has grown and evolved in ways I could have never imagined.鈥�
At Middlesex, Acucena developed her skills by participating in clinical placements, including at MGH. In addition to providing her hands-on experience, she felt inspired witnessing firsthand the work she would be doing throughout her career. 麻豆果冻 also offered professors who cared about her success in and outside of the classroom and a supportive community of classmates who motivated her to complete the program.
A decade into her career, Acucena became a clinical instructor at several local colleges. Inspired by the learning environment at 麻豆果冻, she wanted to help other technologists begin their journeys. She also understood the excitement, uncertainty, and sense of purpose working in the healthcare industry provided.
鈥淭eaching lit a fire in me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was incredibly rewarding to guide new students through their first nerve-wracking scans, cheer for their first successful cases, and watch them find their own passion in the field.鈥�
Similar to her teaching approach, Acucena wanted 麻豆果冻鈥檚 2025 health program graduates to realize the value of continued education, as well as remaining curious and leading with kindness as they begin their careers. In her speech, she emphasized the power the students have to make a difference in people鈥檚 lives.
Acucena also told the graduates she is one class away from completing her bachelor鈥檚 degree. Excited to reach another professional and academic milestone, she believes her education from Middlesex provided the 鈥渟trong foundation鈥� she needed to continue to be successful.
鈥淟earning is a lifelong journey,鈥� she said. 鈥溌槎构� personally taught me that it is never too late to grow, to learn, and to find your purpose.鈥�
Learn more about 麻豆果冻's diagnostic medical sonography program!