Interview with Mrs. Gifty Sarfo | By: Nailah Kusi

By: Nailah Kusi

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo is a CT Technologist at Mary Washington Hospital.

Introduction

Nailah: Hi, my name is Nailah Kusi. I am a biology student at Christopher Newport University, and I’m a Summer 2026 Pre-Health Intern with Improve Life PLLC. Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today, Mrs. Gifty Sarfo. I’d love to learn more about your career as a CT technologist, your experiences working in healthcare, and any advice you have for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

Question 1

Nailah: Can you tell me about yourself and your role as a CT technologist?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: My name is Gifty Sarfo. I’ve been a CT technologist for many years, and I really enjoy what I do. I currently work at Mary Washington Hospital as a CT technologist.

Question 2

Nailah: What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare, and what led you to become a CT technologist?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: Healthcare has always been a passion of mine because I enjoy helping people. I like being able to give back and make a difference in someone’s life. Helping patients is my passion, and that’s what inspired me to go into healthcare.

Nailah: That’s a great attitude to carry in this type of business and or setting.

Question 3

Nailah: What does a typical day look like for you?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: Every day is different, but I always begin my day with prayer. Whenever I step into the hospital, I believe it’s going to be a good day. I don’t focus on having a bad day—I always think positively.

Every day is a good day for me.

Nailah: That’s really good advice for people like me and young students or anyone looking to go into the healthcare industry.

Question 4

Nailah: What are some of your responsibilities as a CT technologist?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: We see many patients throughout the day. The transport team brings patients to us, and we perform their CT scans. One of my biggest responsibilities is making sure the patient is receiving the correct

exam. Sometimes a provider may order the wrong test, so we contact them to clarify before moving forward.

We also make sure we have the correct patient and the correct exam because patient safety always comes first.

Nailah: Okay.

Question 5

Nailah: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: Sometimes we’re short-staffed, and there can be a lot going on at once. That can make the job challenging. However, if you know what you’re doing and you enjoy your work, it becomes easier. If I ever need help, I ask for it. Teamwork is very important.

Nailah: Yeah, teamwork is definitely one of the important aspects.

Question 6

Nailah: What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: The most rewarding part is knowing that I’m helping people. Patients, their family members, and even my managers have thanked me and recognized my work. Some families have even written letters or sent emails. Those things mean a lot, but the greatest reward is knowing that I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life. I truly enjoy what I do, so every day feels rewarding.

Nailah: I love that.

Question 7

Nailah: What skills or qualities do you think are most important for someone interested in becoming a CT

technologist or working in healthcare?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: You have to love healthcare. If you’re only coming into the field for the money, you’re probably not going to enjoy it. You need to be passionate about helping people. If you care about your patients, your work becomes much easier and much more meaningful. Healthcare is a field where there are always opportunities. If you enjoy what you do and you’re willing to work hard, you’ll always be able to find a job. Passion and compassion are the most important qualities you can have.

Nailah: That is very true you do have to love the job that you’re going to so that it’s not more so like a job and it feels more like you doing something that you love.

Question 8

Nailah: How important are communication and teamwork in your role?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: They’re extremely important. Teamwork is one of the biggest parts of the job. Good communication during shift changes is essential because you have to give the next technologist a proper handoff so they know everything they need to care for the patient.

In radiology, we usually spend about 15 to 20 minutes with each patient before they move on, unlike nurses who may care for the same patient for several days. Because we see so many different patients, communication is critical. I also encourage students to consider radiology. Whether it’s X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound, there are many opportunities. Once you complete an X-ray program, many hospitals will cross-train you in different imaging specialties, giving you more career options.

Nailah: Wow, that’s really good experience to gain in all those different specialties.

Question 9

Nailah: What advice would you give to students preparing for a career in healthcare?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: If you’re interested in medical imaging, I recommend starting with an X-ray program. After completing the program, many hospitals offer cross-training in CT, MRI, and ultrasound. The program can be intense, but it’s worth it because it gives you many career opportunities and allows you to specialize in different imaging areas.

Some hospitals will train you after graduation, and once you complete your cross-training, you can become a certified technologist in that specialty and continue building your career.

Nailah: Wow thank you for sharing this photo information with us. I’ll definitely pass the information along to other people interested in this specific specialty as well as myself.

Question 10

Nailah: Are there any organizations, websites, resources, or events that you would recommend students interested in medical imaging or healthcare should look into?

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: I recommend looking into programs at VCU and NOVA because they have strong radiology technology programs. Some programs are about two years long, while others can be completed in about eighteen months. After you graduate, many hospitals provide additional cross-training opportunities that allow you to expand your skills into CT, MRI, or other imaging specialties.

Closing

Nailah: Thank you so much, Mrs. Gifty Sarfo, for taking the time to speak with me today. I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and your advice. It was a pleasure learning more about your career and the important role of a CT technologist in patient care.

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: Not a problem. Anytime you have any questions, give me a call.

Nailah: Thank you so much. I will. Have a great day!

Mrs. Gifty Sarfo: You too, honey. Bye.

Nailah: Bye.