NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGIC SCIENCES

ASRT SLDP

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Applications close Nov. 15th 2024

2024

Dan Paccione

Maya Rivera

“It’s never too late to be who you might have been” -George Eliot, aka Marian Evans

My name is Dan Paccione, and I’m a radiation therapy student at Memorial Sloan

Kettering Cancer Center School of Radiation Therapy. Entering the field of radiation therapy was a major shift in my life. I graduated from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music 20 years ago as a jazz performance major. I’ve worked steadily as a freelance musician, recording, performing, touring, and teaching. Over the years I’ve had many adventures traveling and working with people from all over the world. I’ve spent over 15 years teaching music, and I recently spent a year as a general ed. sub teacher in Bronx, NYC.

A few years back I realized that in pursuing one path wholeheartedly I might have mistaken the trees for the forest. A timely conversation with an acquaintance in the RT field piqued my interest and I decided to enroll in some RT pre-req’s at City University of New York. Soon after, I had a chance to shadow a radiation therapist at MSKCC, and I knew immediately that I had found what I was missing.

It’s such a wonderful experience to become a student once again, pursuing my career in this amazing field. Having spent most of my career on stage or teaching, and now returning to school as a student is quite an experience; one that has enriched my life and opened my mind to so many possibilities. It might seem the worlds of music and radiation therapy have nothing in common, but they are alike in the most critical ways. The layers of thought and technique that are required in both disciplines are remarkably similar. The precision, focus, and orchestration that make for high quality treatment are the same attributes that make for virtuosic performance. Critical thinking, creative problem solving, and a strong sense of

empathy are marks of a skilled musician. I witness daily these very same virtues displayed by the dedicated RT(T)’s at MSKCC, and I strive to translate them into practice as I develop my skills as an RT(T) student.

As I finish year one of my journey and move forward towards my goals, I am grateful to be supported by the fantastic educators at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center School of Radiation Therapy. Each day I spend learning from the brilliant therapists at MSKCC I am one step closer to my goals of playing my part in the battle to eradicate cancer. I am truly honored for the opportunity to learn from the best. I am especially grateful for the chance to become

who I might have been.

Hello! My name is Maya Rivera, I am a first year student in the Fulton Montgomery Community College Radiologic Technology program! I have recently been selected as one of the NYS SLDP participants and I am looking forward to all amazing opportunities! One personal goal for me is to expand my professional network and learn new skills. Something fun about me is that I swam for 16 years competitively and I love teaching and coaching the sport! I enjoy spending my free time traveling and exploring different places with my closest friends and family! I look forward to hearing from everyone and making new connections during the course of the SLDP.