Fresh Faces: Hannah Lawson, Radiation Therapy

Hannah Lawson enters the radiation therapy program fulfilling a lifelong dream of a career in health care.

Born and raised here in Edmonton, Hannah Lawson comes to the field of radiation therapy after establishing herself as a journalist in various Alberta communities. Today she’s a long way from Loyalist College in Belleville, Ont., where she earned a diploma in photojournalism in 2016. Here at the University of Alberta, Lawson is excited to finally be fulfilling a lifelong dream to pursue a career in health care. 

What were you doing before you entered the radiation therapy program?

After I got my photojournalism diploma, I worked as a multimedia journalist for three years, gradually leaning more towards the written side of journalism. I was the editor of a small northern Alberta community newspaper for a time, before taking some time off to backpack through southeast Asia and the U.K. for seven months. After my return, I took on the role of city hall reporter for the St. Albert Gazette, which was my last journalism posting. 

What made you choose the U of A for your program?

After doing my diploma across the country, then cutting my teeth as a journalist throughout rural Alberta, I missed home. My family is here in Edmonton, and all of my supports are too, so I was very happy to settle back in the city I call home. The U of A also has one of the best radiation therapy programs in the country, which was very attractive to me. 

What inspired your move from journalism onto this new path?

While I am very grateful for the experience I gained as a journalist, I have long dreamt of working in health care and gaining a higher education in the sciences. However, I am rather squeamish so working as a doctor or nurse was not really an option for me. I chose radiation therapy because I’m the kind of person who has many interests and passions, and radiation therapy is a very multidisciplinary field that requires a broad science background. Additionally, playing a positive, caring role throughout a cancer patient’s journey is very near to my heart. 

What are you most looking forward to in your education?

I am really looking forward to the hands-on learning experience involved with clinical placements starting this summer and being on the ground working with actual patients. The prospect is also somewhat terrifying, as the knowledge gap between then and now still seems a bit daunting. However, the RT program is exceptional and I have no doubt I will be fully prepared when the time comes around. 

What are the biggest challenges you anticipate?

I am a very sensitive and empathetic person, so I anticipate it will be difficult to see patients struggling as they get further into treatment with toxicities and other side-effects from the radiation treatments. In addition, I haven’t been in a STEM program since 2013, so even after my first year of pre-professional requirements, I still find I am a bit behind some of my younger peers. Balancing the workload while trying to maintain a social life and my part-time job as a delivery driver for FedEx will be a challenge for sure.

How is the ongoing pandemic affecting your experience?

The pandemic can make life outside of school feel a bit uncertain and scary, but because my program is so small, thankfully almost all of our classes are in person. Aside from wearing masks and constantly hand sanitizing, so far this year has felt a lot more normal in class than last year. It has been great to get to know my classmates. 

What do you do to look after your mental health and relax?

I am quite active in my rugby club, the Rocker’s Athletic Club, and love nothing more than spending my Saturdays playing rugby. Now that the season is over, I am playing indoor flag rugby. Otherwise, I enjoy taking my black labrador Timber for runs in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter, weight training, going to visit my one-year-old niece, playing board games, reading a good novel and watching TV shows.