Marwa’s world was turned upside down when her mother passed away. She'd been her rock, her source of strength and inspiration, and Marwa couldn't bear to live in Egypt alone. The overwhelming grief ignited her determination: She would start a new life. She made the courageous decision to move to America. In New York City, Marwa pursued a cosmetology license, bringing the work she had done in Egypt and Dubai to a new country. She faced cultural differences, language barriers and loneliness, but in spite of it all she flourished. She found success through a great job in a salon, until the pandemic caused it to close its doors. Once again, Marwa reconsidered her future. This time, she decided to pursue a career in health care, beginning with the radiology program at Middlesex College. Her second clinical rotation brought her to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “While I was a student, I was hired as a diagnostic imaging aide at Jersey Shore. I felt like one of the lucky ones. I am so proud to be a team member,” Marwa says. It was a perfect match. Hackensack Meridian Health's "Earn While You Learn" was launching, and Marwa would become its very first participant. The program provides opportunities for individuals to earn and train while studying, connecting her with leaders and mentors who guided her through the process of becoming an X-ray technician. When she completed her training, she immediately secured a position at Jersey Shore. The sense of accomplishment was immense, as was the joy of being part of the team. “It feels like home to me. I love the people and feel loyal to them,” she says. Marwa’s journey is a testament to her resilience. She transformed her grief into a source of strength, and her mother’s legacy lives on through her achievements. And there’s more to come. Inspired by leadership, Marwa continues to learn. She is midway through CT scan certification and has plans to pursue certification in other modalities. Marwa encourages other students to participate in the “Earn While You Learn” program. She tells everyone, “It gives you lots of opportunities and builds confidence. It’s good for your career and you will reap the benefits later on. Hackensack Meridian Health is one of the best! It has very impressive rankings. I am lucky to be part of the team.” #PeopleofHMH (fb)