Visualizing the Future
Posted on March 25, 2025 by CAHP
Since 2006, Shawn Irwin has spent his career as a radiographer specializing in x-ray and computed tomography. After nearly two decades working in radiography, he hoped to find an online program that would provide the opportunity for him to complete a bachelor’s degree.
He began his radiography career after completing the radiologic sciences certificate program at the University of South Alabama in 2006. After hearing that the University started an online radiologic sciences program in 2022, he knew South was once again the best fit for him, his career and his family.
The seamless nature of the online courses allowed Irwin to complete a bachelor’s degree through the Online RT to BSRS program in less than two years. Faculty in the Department of Radiologic Sciences always provided clear communication throughout the program, allowing him to work through the required courses with ease and minimal questions.
The fully online program is designed so that registered radiographers who are seeking a bachelor’s degree in radiologic sciences may take as many or as few courses as they feel comfortable with per semester.
“When I started courses here, I had been working in hospitals, and in radiology specifically, for like 25 years,” Irwin said. “So a lot of the courses that I was taking to complete, I could really draw from my experience for a lot of it.”
As the first graduate from the Online RT to BSRS program, Irwin encourages others to give it a try.
“I certainly encourage anybody who is thinking about it to just take a couple semesters and ease yourself into it,” Irwin said. “See where you’re at, and you might find out that you can do a lot more of it than what you would think.”
Soon after completing his bachelor’s degree in 2024, Irwin entered the Master of Science in Instructional Design and Development program at South with hopes of advancing his career into clinical education.
Irwin has worked for Mobile Infirmary in various roles for 27 years and currently works part-time as a radiographer at Thomas Hospital.
He works full-time as a clinical procedures specialist for Vulcan Mobile Medical and Boston Scientific traveling across the Southeast providing cryoablation treatment, a procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. He spends the majority of his time working with patients who have cancer, helping prevent further growth or spreading of tumor cells.
A typical day on the job involves an initial meeting between Irwin and the radiologist to discuss the day’s case, look at imaging and establish a treatment plan. Then a cryoablation machine is set up in the computed tomography room where Irwin explains the preferred placement of the needles for effective treatment. After the needles are placed, he operates the machine for the duration of treatment, approximately 40 minutes.
“We freeze tumors, like cancerous tumors, typically of the kidney, but you can do it to livers, spines or lungs. There’s really a vast treatment area for it,” Irwin said.
The outpatient procedure gives patients the opportunity to recover and return to a normal life sooner than they would after a major surgery.
“I think it’s awesome that I get to help people. They come in with cancer, and they leave without it,” Irwin said.