(Joplin, MO) – Chalk up another first for Freeman Health System during Heart Health Month — Aubriana Osborn has become the very first graduate of a new echocardiography internship program.
As a cardiac sonographer (or echo tech), Osborn specializes in performing several different types of echocardiograms, which are detailed ultrasound pictures of the beating human heart and its various chambers and valves.
“It’s almost like I’ve fulfilled a calling,” Osborn said about her new profession. “It really is. This is the perfect little spot for me.”
Osborn stumbled across cardiac ultrasound technology following a strong urge to reevaluate her future nursing career goals. That’s when she learned about the internship program.
“I thought to myself, ‘This is what I really want to do with my life. I love hearts. I want to pursue ultrasound. This is perfect. I was meant to do this.’”
Osborn dove headfirst into the internship program, embracing student life with long hours of “studying and shadowing” Freeman experts.
“I knew pretty much nothing coming into this,” Osborn said with a laugh. “I had a little bit of cardiac experience, but nothing ultrasound related. Now? Oh goodness — I look at it now and I say ‘Ugh, how do I know all the stuff that I know!’”
She first learned all details concerning the various procedures and tools a cardiac sonographer performs and utilizes. Next, she oversaw stress tests, where patients walk on treadmills to evaluate the heart’s response to physical exertion and to identify any potential heart problems.
“Hearts have always fascinated me,” Osborn said. “They are truly amazing — how long they’ve been beating and never stop. Think about it, our hearts have been beating before we were born. To me, it’s just an incredible organ. It can handle so much stress but keeps on going.”
Her interactions with Freeman cardiologists during her year-long internship proved most beneficial. She specifically mentions Freeman Drs. Vigyan Bang, Darwin Jeyaraj, and Ryan Longnecker.
“Honestly, getting to work alongside our cardiologists was probably one of my favorite experiences because I learned so much,” Osborn said. “Dr. Longnecker was just so great — he took his time with me, and he passed on an incredible amount of knowledge.”
Osborn also gave a shout-out to Freeman Certified Echo Tech Pam Gebauer — “She was so great. She took me under her wing and taught me everything. In fact, everybody was just so great in my department,” Osborn continued. “I just took little bits and pieces from everybody’s experiences. Honestly, I did not work with one person whom I didn’t appreciate so much for everything they did for me over those 12 months. All the knowledge that they gave me? I cannot say enough good things about them.”
When her internship ended in January of this year, Osborn became a registered cardiac sonographer. She’s currently refocusing her efforts on pediatrics, where she can apply her skills to examining the hearts of infants, children, and adolescents.
“This is just me wanting to have as much knowledge as possible,” Osborn said. “A year does seem like a long time, but oh my goodness, did the time fly by.”
“Aubriana is a great role model for what you can achieve with hard work and perseverance,” said Amy Thomas, Freeman’s cardiology coordinator. “She is a valued asset to our team here at Freeman.”
Said Osborn, “I just feel very, very lucky that Freeman gave me this opportunity. If more people could find that in healthcare, it would be a different world.”
About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
Reference:
Kevin McClintock, Media Relations Coordinator
Freeman Health System
417.434.3458
KSMcclintock@freemanhealth.com
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