The BCIT Alumni Association is proud to spotlight alumni whose journeys reflect the spirit of lifelong connection, professional excellence, and giving back to BCIT and the greater community.
Meet Sam Bienias, a BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduate, valedictorian, and Ultrasound Supervisor at Vernon Radiological Associates (VRA) in Vernon, BC. The skills Sam has acquired through her education and career, have enabled her to work not only across Canada but also internationally. Sam is proud to provide meaningful patient care and is dedicated to making a positive impact on patients’ lives through compassionate and effective medical imaging.
What drew you to BCIT and what ultimately made you choose your program?
I’ve always loved working with people and found the human body fascinating. I felt that my attention to detail would suit a career in medical imaging, and I was drawn to the responsibility that comes with being a part of a diagnostic team. BCIT had always been on my radar because my dad graduated from BCIT in 1982 and often spoke highly of his experience and training. BCIT has a longstanding reputation for producing graduates who enter the workforce with confidence, practical skills, and readiness for long, fulfilling careers.
What key skills or lessons did you learn during your studies?
My studies at BCIT taught me how interconnected our role is within the broader healthcare system, and how important it is to understand each other’s roles and work collaboratively as a team for the benefit of our patients. Becoming a sonographer has been immensely rewarding. The skills I gained at BCIT have allowed me to help people across Canada and internationally, and it’s clear that the training BCIT provides is current, thorough, and highly respected.
What are you doing now?
I am currently the Ultrasound Supervisor at Vernon Radiological Associates (VRA) in Vernon, BC. I scan patients five days a week and am also a clinical liaison for BCIT and CNC students during their clinical rotations. I have worked as a sonographer with VRA for the past year and a half. Prior to that, I worked with Interior Health and at clinics in Alberta, including Medical Imaging Consultants (MIC) and Canadian Diagnostic Centres (CDC)/Guardian Radiology. I’ve also had the opportunity to work overseas in New Zealand on contracts ranging from six weeks to six months.
What makes your profession or your current role meaningful to you?
I find the work sonographers do for patients incredibly meaningful. We play an important role in ensuring that patients experience compassionate care while helping gain access to the answers they need. Through our imaging, radiologists are able to diagnose conditions and guide patients to the next steps in their healthcare journey. We are often an extra set of ears, gathering important symptoms and history, and frequently the first set of eyes to investigate what may be happening inside someone’s body.
What do you do outside your work life?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in Vernon hiking and running with my dog, Hank, as well as biking and skiing. I also play in local volleyball leagues and enjoy spending time by the lake.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter your field?
For anyone considering a career in sonography, I would say prepare for a profession that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Sonography can be mentally and physically demanding, and at times humbling. We experience the exciting highs of obstetrical imaging, as well as the anxiety and uncertainty that can come with health concerns. Patients need to feel they are being cared for by someone who genuinely cares about their outcome, so authenticity and compassion will serve you well. Sonography is a career for artists and detectives alike; if there is any profession where an eye for detail is an asset, this is it.
What is next for you and how do you see your BCIT education continuing to support your journey?
As I speak, I am currently in New Zealand on a short work contract. Next on my journey is returning home to Canada, where I will continue serving the Okanagan community at VRA while helping train the next generation of sonographers rotating through Vernon. Standards within BC and across Canada are always evolving, and it is my goal for our team at VRA to stay current with advancements in our field and continue providing the highest standard of patient care. BCIT is a resource that I continue to draw upon as I move forward in my career, and the skills it gave me allow me to serve people in our province in a significant and rewarding way.
