Paul Kacprzak

Alumnus Paul Kacprzak arrived at Broward College at the age of 34 to pursue an Associate in Science degree in Radiography. Upon beginning his studies, he was encouraged immediately by Professor John H. Britt, Department Head of Radiologic Sciences, who told him that more mature students were the ideal recruits for the rigorous and serious program of study, especially given the small number of slots available each year to candidates. Britt emphasized that undivided attention and attendance would be critical to success. Committing to those would ensure passing the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) registry exam, in turn, making graduates highly coveted by employers who would know the value of the well-respected radiography program.

Other instructors who made an impression on him include Professor David Hall, who instilled in students an ethic of absorbing theory and combining it with practice so that they were ready to encounter any challenge in any setting.  And, Professor Susanne Bodick "ensured that you knew your positioning anatomy and could critique your images for quality."

Now an X-ray Technologist with the Florida Panthers, Paul’s prior practical experience with a range of equipment gave him the knowledge and professional perspective to propose upgrades to the x-ray hardware and protocols. “The first X-ray I took with their laughable film and chemical equipment amazed the staff since they were used to excuses given as to why the images were bad. At that point the head trainer and Ortho doctors asked me to be at every game. After a few seasons I suggested that the Panthers need to seriously upgrade their equipment into digital and they told me that since I knew what I was talking about, I could find them a system that is ideal for their small room and suggest a vendor. Other teams have had incredibly expensive X-Ray rooms in their arenas costing as much as $250K. The Panthers were shocked when I suggested a simple digital system with some room changes that came in at around $65K for everything.”

He attends each Panther’s game and is at the ready to administer x-rays efficiently. This is a crucial service which makes it possible for the doctors of the Panthers medical team to make rapid decisions about whether players should be removed for a game or cleared to play, or in the case of post-surgery exams, cleared to return to practice.

Paul credits his education at Broward College, the reputation of the radiography program, and the high standards of professors like Hall , Bodick and Britt to giving him a competitive edge in his career and for ensuring he has always been able to employ his skills.

Having experienced first-hand the benefits of attending a top program at a state college and graduating debt-free, fully prepared to pass professional exams like the ARRT, Paul is a proud advocate for the tremendous value public institutions like Broward College can offer to students and to the communities they serve.