Get to Know: Director of Medical Imaging Jennifer Beirdneau

Jennifer Beirdneau, MA Ed., RT(R), (MR) joined Trocaire toward the end of the Fall 2018 semester as the college’s new Director of Medical Imaging. She oversees the Radiologic Technology (AAS) degree program as well as the Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Echocardiography certificates.

Born in Buffalo, she has been working in the field of radiography in different capacities—including as lead radiographic technologist, chief MRI technologist and bone densitometry technologist—for nearly 25 years, in a career that has taken her across the country. She has taught those skills in both classroom and clinical settings since 2005.

Jennifer also has prior experience in leading imaging programs. Her last leadership position was as Clinical Coordinator and Interim Radiography Program Director at Georgia Southern University in Savannah (2015-2018). Prior to that, she was Medical Imaging Program Coordinator at Hagerstown Community College in Maryland (2011-2014), and Radiography Program Director at Pima Medical Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada (2007-2011).

We asked Jennifer to answer a few questions to help us get to know her better. Check out her answers below!

What is your favorite part about being back in Western New York?

My favorite part of being back in WNY is being back near family. I was born in Buffalo and have lived in different areas of the country but my family is here and my husband and I are happy to be back as this is ‘home’ for me. I also love the fall and cannot wait for the beautiful fall colors.

What is your biggest priority in your new position at Trocaire?

My biggest priority is to help to ensure that Trocaire’s Medical Imaging programs are committed to providing competent and well-educated students that can enter the healthcare field to provide top rate imaging services to those that receive their healthcare in WNY. With all the states that I have lived in, Buffalo, and the quality healthcare that one can receive here, has always been well known. I want to ensure that our Medical Imaging programs graduate the best healthcare workers to serve not only the local community but in whatever part of the country that they end up working and living.

What was your first impression of the college when you started? 

My first impression of Trocaire is how they are committed to providing a great education to the students that they enroll. Trocaire is well known for its healthcare programs, and what I have noticed in my short time here is the nurturing and caring approach to students and the commitment to assisting students improve their lives through obtaining an education that will allow them to then change their lives. If I do not know the answer to something I know that if I ask, someone will assist me in finding the answer.

Describe your family:

My husband’s name is Gary and we have been married almost 14 years. We have three dogs: a 12-year-old rescue lab named Rufus, an 11-year-old sheltie named Lilly, and a 3-year-old labradoodle named Daisy.

What is a random fact about yourself?

I am a fan of almost anything Disney! I also love to garden, so I look forward to planting flowers and having a garden now that I am back in WNY.