Employee Spotlight

Miguel Valdivia (MRI Faculty)

Our June Employee Spotlight features Miguel Valdivia. Miguel is a faculty member in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program teaching MR Imaging and Procedures I and II.  He also works at Western Imaging Center as an Assistant Technical Director. As a graduate of Casa Loma College’s MRI Program in 2010 and a practicing MRI Technologist for the past eight years, Miguel brings a wealth of information to the student regarding scanning, safety, instrumentation and the protocols and procedures for scanning.

Tell Us About Yourself?
I am married with three kids, two boys, Aidric and Derek and a little girl Ahlani.

Tell Us About Your Educational Background.
I attended Moorpark College, then entered the Marine Corps. After serving in the Marines, I went to Casa Loma College for MRI.

What Inspired You to Pursue A Career in Magnetic Resonance Imaging?
I love technology and helping others in need, and this seemed like a good way to combine the two.

What Areas Within This Field Are of Interest to You? Is There an Area You Are More Focused On?
At first, I was interested in all the new software and yearly advancements in MRI, but my focus later became much simpler. I became more focused on the patient – I am constantly reviewing Western Imaging’s daily protocols and routinely updating them to provide faster exams or better-quality images and sometimes both.

What Have Been Your Most Important, Proudest And/or Favorite Experience in Your Career?
 I enjoy working with students and passing on and teaching them what I know and continue to learn. I also speak at MRI Seminars, most recently at the ARMRIT Conference in Las Vegas. I generally speak about MSK Imaging, General Imaging Techniques and MRI Tech Tips. This has been a great experience for me.

Share an example of when you established and accomplished a goal that was personally challenging.
Speaking at my first national seminar.

What Brought You to Teach at Casa Loma College?
It was purely by chance and I am glad I took that chance!

What do you find most rewarding about educating future MRI Technologists?
When I see that look on their face when they try something on the magnet and everything they learned just clicks.

Who Has Influenced You the Most in Life?
My grandfather.

If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Tommy Lasorda, for the stories.

How do you like to spend your free time?
I enjoy the outdoors, either camping at the lake, fishing, riding quads in the desert, or target shooting.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I am a huge band geek.