Celebrated annually on March 11, National Dream Day encourages people to pursue their aspirations. With dedication and ambition, anyone can turn their dreams into reality. And when it comes to career dreams, Aultman College offers a perfect opportunity for those interested in healthcare professions. Here, Aultman College students, alumni and faculty describe how Aultman College has helped them achieve their goals.

Mindi Weiford

Mindi Weiford is enrolled in the Aultman College Associate of Health Sciences (ASHS) to Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program. Two years ago, she decided to become a nurse after battling cancer. “I told my husband I wanted to pay it forward and become an amazing oncology nurse like the ones at Aultman Hospital,” she said. “They helped both my husband and me get through the hardest time of my life.”

As she and her husband worried about whether treatments would be effective, oncology nurses provided unwavering support. “They were there for us both, helping us every step of the way and keeping us positive,” she said. Now Mindi is achieving her dream of helping others facing similar challenges.

Nicole Bradford

Nicole Bradford is an assistant professor in the Aultman College radiography program. Her experience at Aultman College began when she enrolled in the radiography program as a student. She was unsure about healthcare at first, but her experiences at Aultman College ignited a passion for the field.

“I liked the idea of healthcare because it was always something different and always changing,” Nicole said. “Healthcare is a field that teaches you so much the more you’re involved in it.”

Emma Rennicker

For Emma Rennicker, a serious illness when she was a young child led to her dream of becoming a nurse.

“When I was in the 4th grade, I had my appendix removed at Akron Children’s Hospital,” she said. “I was scared. The nurses there were very kind and walked me through everything."

From that moment on, Emma wanted to be a nurse. Today, she is a student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Aultman College.

Lily Flounders

Lily Flounders’ career dreams revolve around helping others. “The idea of making a real difference in someone’s life, especially when they’re at their most vulnerable place, really speaks to me,” she said. “I’ve seen how healthcare professionals can impact patients, not just physically but emotionally as well, and I want to be a part of that.”

Today, Lily is a student in the Health Sciences Program at Aultman College who plans to become a healthcare worker.

Abigail Hostetler

Abigail Hostetler’s dream of a healthcare career began when she saw what nurses mean to people. Hospital nurses not only provided excellent healthcare, but also emotional support, for a family that she knew during their loved one’s illness.

“I wanted to have that same impact someday on someone else’s life,” Abigail said. She is pursuing a degree in the Aultman College BSN program.

Alaina Rini John

Alaina Rini John knew she wanted to work in healthcare from a young age. "I am always ready to take care of people,” she said. “I find the medical field, specifically radiography, very interesting.”

With her experience at Aultman College, Alaina is well on the way to achieving her dream.

At Aultman College, we lead with compassion, integrity and respect. If you would like to make your career dreams come true with Aultman College, we would love to talk with you. Please visit aultmancollege.edu for more information.