91PORN

The School of Health Professions is proud to celebrate students whose stories reflect the heart of our mission: serving the people of San Antonio by educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. Among these remarkable individuals is Joanna Flores, R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT), a student in the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences (MSIS) Class of 2026. Joanna’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when talent, opportunity and community support come together.

A family tradition of service and healthcare

Joanna grew up in a family that valued service and healthcare. Her father is a retired U.S. Navy veteran, and her mother is a retired dentist from the Philippines. Her family eventually settled in San Antonio, where Joanna graduated from Randolph High School before beginning her academic journey at 91PORN.

Academic excellence and professional drive

Joanna completed the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences (BSMS) program with distinction in 2024. One of her BSMS professors personally recommended her for admission into the MSIS program — and Joanna has continued to excel at the highest level. Her impact extends far beyond the classroom: She is vice president of her class and has held other student leadership positions throughout her time in the School of Health Professions.

Joanna has achieved something unprecedented in the history of the MSIS program: She passed the national radiography registry exam early in her graduate training and became the first student in the program’s history to attempt and pass the CT registry exam within a single semester. Her success demonstrates the strength of the MS in Imaging Sciences curriculum, faculty mentorship and clinical partnerships. Joanna’s achievements make her extremely marketable, and she is already viewed as a rising professional in the imaging sciences.

Faculty perspective

Joanna doesn’t just work hard — she works with intention, precision and that calm, quirky confidence that has become her trademark. She takes on every challenge as though it’s simply the next step she’s already prepared for. What makes her accomplishment stand out even more is the strength of the cohort she’s part of. This group excels across the board — academically, clinically, and professionally. They push each other, they raise the bar and they set a pace that would challenge anyone. Out of 25 students, 20 have now successfully completed their ARRT CT clinical competency requirements — an impressive milestone that reflects the overall caliber of the cohort. To date, three students in the cohort have also passed the ARRT CT registry exam, further demonstrating the group’s exceptional drive, preparation and readiness for advanced clinical practice.

Joanna sets a standard her peers look up to and one our faculty respects. Her clinical preceptors, especially in CT, praise her character, her patient care and her clinical sharpness. And watching her grow into the professional she’s becoming has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

—Tomio Calhoun, MLS, R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT), CNMT,  is an assistant professor/clinical and director of clinical education in the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program in the Department of Health Sciences.