NDT Student Wins National Scholarship

Courtney Youngberg, ’19, a second-semester student in the Neurodiagnostic Technology certificate program, has been awarded the Kathleen Mears Education Award by ASET – The Neurodiagnostic Society.

Each year, members of CAAHEP-accredited neurodiagnostic programs can apply for the Kathleen Mears Education Award, a financial award granted annually to both a student and their institution based on the student’s academic and leadership abilities, and honoring ASET’s past president Kathy Mears and her dedication to the pursuit of further education.

This year, Labouré College’s NDT program chairperson Jacquelyn Polito nominated Youngberg, a student Polito identified as “outstanding” and was thrilled to receive the news that Youngberg had been selected to receive the award.

“Courtney is an excellent student and works extremely well as part of a health care team. Courtney’s enthusiasm for the NDT program is so rewarding for me to experience as an educator. She is conscientious about her school work and receives very high grades. In addition, Courtney was selected for and accepted the position of peer tutor, where she assists her fellow students in the NDT program,” Polito said.

Youngberg’s path has always been focused on healthcare. Following high school, she enrolled in college with the goal of becoming a physician, but quickly realized she wanted to spend more time with patients and changed her major to nursing. Unfortunately, Youngberg had to withdraw from the program. “I was in a car accident and suffered a closed head injury, affecting my memory recall and learning processes.”

After recovering, Youngberg worked as a nursing assistant for several years before transitioning to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota where she has worked as a nursing assistant and health unit coordinator for the past 13 years. At Gillette, Youngberg worked with children under the Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pediatric, and Trauma subspecialties.

Youngberg cites her patients and coworkers as her inspiration to further her education in the field of neurodiagnostics. Luckily, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare had partnered with Labouré College to offer training to employees, as the area is in need of registered EEG technologists. “After doing some research, I found this to be the perfect professional transition and way to better myself,” said Youngberg.

“I am very honored to receive the Kathleen Mears Education Award. From the research that I have done, it appears that Kathleen Mears was very dedicated to increased education for NDT professionals and those interested in the neurodiagnostic field. I am a person who believes in giving my full effort and doing my absolute best, and I feel as though Kathleen Mears was also of that mind set.  It is truly an honor for me to represent her name in such a way.”

Youngberg joins past Labouré College award recipient Dawn Siegler, who was selected for the scholarship in 2016.

Congratulations Courtney!