When Michael A. Zimny enrolled at Ross Medical Education Center in the fall of 1989, he was like many young adults working hard to figure out his long-term path. After graduating from high school, he spent time working at Burger King while searching for a stable, fulfilling, and hands-on career. Interested in both the intricacies of medicine and the art of photography, diagnostic imaging felt like a natural fit. This direction was strongly encouraged by his father, who pushed him to dream big and invest in higher education. What began as a bold leap of faith into a Medical Assistant program in Warren, Michigan, quickly transformed into an extraordinary multi-decade healthcare journey spanning radiologic technology, CT, and advanced MRI scanning.
We sat down with Michael to hear his inspiring story, learn about the tight-knit bonds and unique classroom memories he built at Ross, and get his expert perspective on what it truly takes to thrive in healthcare while putting patient care above all else.
What was your life like right after high school, and what originally led you to discover Ross Medical Education Center?
After finishing high school, I was at a point where I just wasn’t entirely sure what direction to take. I was working at Burger King for a while, but eventually, I had a real heart-to-heart with myself about what I actually wanted to do with my life. I knew I had a strong natural interest in the medical field, but I didn’t know which specific avenue or specialty to pursue.
Around that time, I kept seeing advertisements for Ross Medical Education Center highlighting their Medical Assistant program. On top of that, my dad was a huge inspiration and driving force for me. He sat me down and reminded me that working entry-level customer service jobs wasn’t going to cut it for the long haul. He told me that as the youngest in the family and the only boy, I needed to establish a solid career, especially if I wanted to build a family and a stable future down the road.
Because I always loved photography and had a strong curiosity about healthcare, I started connecting the dots. If you like taking pictures and you like medicine, radiology and medical imaging are the perfect union. So, I went in, took the leap, and enrolled. We started at the Warren campus in the fall of 1989 and completed our studies in April of 1990.
What was the classroom atmosphere like at the Warren campus, and how did your class dynamic develop?
It was an absolutely incredible experience from day one. We had a cozy, close-knit class of about 9 to 12 students at the Warren campus, which back then was located right off Hoover and 11 Mile. Being the only guy in the entire class, it could have been intimidating, but everyone was so warm and welcoming.
What was truly mind-blowing, though, was how instantly and deeply we all connected. During our very first week, as we were all going around the room getting to know each other, someone brought up birthdays. We started comparing dates, and every single student in that room realized we shared the exact same zodiac sign: we were all Cancers. Cancers are known for being naturally nurturing, empathetic, and exceptionally close-knit. The vibe in that classroom was unreal from the start. It felt as though we had known each other for years, and that shared energy brought an incredible sense of harmony to our daily studies.
How was the curriculum structured day-to-day, and what was it like balancing the clinical and administrative sides?
Our program structure was fantastic because it gave us a balanced, comprehensive look at how a medical practice actually operates. We attended school Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The first two hours of the day were dedicated entirely to the clinical side of healthcare. We were in the lab learning anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, how to administer injections, and patient vitals. The remaining two hours shifted focus to the administrative side. They taught us business fundamentals, office management, proper scheduling, and even practical office tasks like medical record keeping and business writing. Having that dual foundation made us feel completely rounded, whether we were stepping up to assist a doctor with a patient or managing the front desk of a busy clinical practice.
You mentioned having a wonderful connection with your clinical instructor, Mrs. Bernier. Are there any favorite memories or moments that stand out from class?
Mrs. Bernier was our clinical instructor, and she was simply hilarious. We had so much fun and joked around constantly. She created an environment where learning felt exciting, while also knowing how to keep things lighthearted.
One hilarious memory I will never forget happened when Miss Bernier had to step out of the classroom for a few minutes to take an urgent call in the main administrative office regarding her husband. While she was gone, being the only guy in class, the girls convinced me to climb onto the gynecology examination table and pose in our full uniform. When Miss Bernier opened the door and walked back into the room, her face turned beet red, and she burst into tears of laughter. She told us right then and there that we were the easiest and most joyful class she had ever had the pleasure of teaching.
It sounds like your class went through both joyful and deeply meaningful moments together. How did those shared experiences shape your bond?
About a month before our graduation, Miss Bernier walked into the classroom and we could immediately tell something was wrong. She sat us down and told us through tears that her husband had suddenly passed away at home after a cardiac event. She was heartbroken, but she made a point to tell us how much she loved our class and how she felt like she had known us her entire life.
When the day of the service arrived, our entire class showed up at the funeral home together to support her. When she looked up and saw all of us standing there for her, she broke down crying all over again because she couldn’t believe we came. That moment locked in a lifelong bond between us all.
Even decades later, five of us still stay in close touch on Facebook. It is amazing to see where everyone went: Rochelle moved to Florida and became an anesthesiologist, Renee had a long career as a registered nurse, Tammy became a nurse practitioner, and others became physician assistants. Ross didn’t just give us an education; it sparked a momentum that made every single one of us want to keep going higher.
Did you face any personal challenges or hiccups around the time of your graduation?
That is actually a funny and frustrating story. I ended up missing our actual graduation ceremony because I came down with a severe case of mononucleosis right at the end of the program! I was working late shifts at Burger King, going to school at Ross every morning, running on pure adrenaline, and my body just crashed right at the finish line. I was so mad because I was so excited to walk the stage. My classmates called me to tell me I would be on the phone with them during the ceremony, but I was still bummed out.
Because I couldn’t attend, I missed out on getting any of the commemorative graduation items, ribbons, or memorabilia from 1990. I collect memory items for my curio cabinet at home, so I actually still search online and on eBay to see if anyone ever sells vintage Ross memorabilia. Even though I missed the ceremony itself, I was super proud of my attendance record. I was never absent during the entire program, except for one single day when I was tardy due to a flat tire on my way to campus.
During your studies at Ross, when did the lightbulb go off that diagnostic radiology was your ultimate calling?
As we progressed through our clinical textbooks, covering system after system (circulatory, muscular, skeletal, pharmacology), we eventually reached the chapter on radiology. The moment we started discussing X-ray fundamentals, imaging principles, and positioning terminology like prone, supine, lateral, and decubitus, something just clicked. I didn’t just understand it; I excelled at it effortlessly. I was acing the tests and feeling a genuine thrill during every lesson.
Miss Bernier noticed my excitement immediately and pointed out that X-ray school was a real career path where I could work in a hospital as a specialized technologist. I honestly had no idea that career path existed!
Ross opened my eyes to a whole new world. The staff helped me research accredited programs, which led me to Marygrove College where I earned my Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology. College proved to be a night-and-day difference compared to high school for me. In high school, I was just an average student, but at Ross and Marygrove, I earned straight A’s and B’s because I was learning something I was truly passionate about.
How did your training at Ross specifically prepare you for the transition into a competitive college environment at Marygrove?
Ross gave me the study habits, medical foundation, and self-confidence I never had in high school. Jumping straight into intense medical terminology, anatomy, and hands-on clinical skills showed me that I was entirely capable of handling rigorous coursework. When I enrolled at Marygrove College for my Associate Degree, I wasn’t starting from scratch. I already had a massive head start over students who had never set foot in a medical classroom. Ross taught me how to learn, how to manage my time, and how to stay disciplined, which allowed me to earn straight A’s and B’s throughout college.
How did your education continue to grow after earning your initial degree, and how did your father support that journey?
Once I completed my associate degree at Marygrove and became a registered technologist, my dad was so incredibly proud. No one else in our family had gone to college, so seeing me succeed made him beam with pride. He encouraged me to keep the momentum going and get my bachelor’s degree.
So, I enrolled at Siena Heights University and earned my Bachelor’s Degree. Once I finished that, my dad pushed me once more to get my master’s degree. I jokingly told him that I didn’t need a master’s degree to take care of patients in X-ray! But he wanted it for me so badly that I went to the University of Detroit Mercy (UFD) and earned my Master’s Degree as well. Even with an advanced degree, I made a conscious choice that I always wanted to stay directly at the patient’s bedside rather than moving into administrative offices. My dad got that ball rolling, and I will forever be grateful for his push.
Can you walk us through the progression of your clinical career from X-ray to CT, and eventually to MRI?
My clinical career started at Sinai Hospital in Detroit, where I worked as a dedicated X-ray Technologist for five years. It was a fast-paced environment where I really honed my patient care skills and positioning techniques.
After five years in general radiography, the department leadership asked if I wanted to learn CAT scan (CT). I said sure, jumped right into cross-training, learned CT theory and operation, and worked as a CT technologist for the next five years.
Then, the hospital asked if I wanted to learn MRI. Once again, I jumped at the chance. I cross-trained into Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and I have been operating MRI scanners for almost 27 years now. Today, I work at Corewell Health (formerly Botsford at 8 Mile and Telegraph). I handle a high volume of outpatients, inpatients, and emergency department cases on two busy scanners, and I also float to assist other regional hospitals like Royal Oak, Troy, and Grosse Pointe whenever they need expert coverage.
Why do you prefer working the afternoon shift over traditional day shifts?
I work the afternoon shift, typically 3:00 PM to 1:00 AM, doing four 10-hour days. I was never a morning person, and I have never been a fan of the corporate hustle, bustle, and administrative chaos that naturally fills the hospital during daytime hours.
On afternoons, the management hustle clears out, and it is just about pure, uninterrupted patient care. I love being able to walk into work, focus completely on my patients, run my scans, and deliver top-tier imaging without corporate distractions. I always say that it takes everyone working together to keep a hospital running 24/7, whether you prefer mornings, midnights, or afternoons.
You’ve turned down management and administrative promotions throughout your career. What drives your commitment to stay at the bedside?
Over nearly three decades, I have been offered countless opportunities to step into management, become a department supervisor, or take on director roles. But every single time, I politely decline. I have zero interest in putting on a suit and tie, sitting in a windowless office, managing spreadsheets, or handling payroll. Thank goodness we have amazing book people, number crunchers, and managers who love doing that work because we need them.
For me, the human connection is the absolute best part of healthcare. When a patient comes in terrified (maybe they are being scanned to see if their cancer has spread or if they have a brain tumor) and you take the time to talk with them, comfort them, and make them feel safe, that is priceless. When they hug you at the end of a scan and express how comfortable you made them feel, there is no paycheck or management title in the world that can match that feeling. Making a patient forget their worries or laugh for an hour is free medicine, and you get that kindness back double in return.
MRI machines can be notoriously intimidating for patients. How do you help anxious or claustrophobic patients get through their scans?
Communication and empathy are everything in MRI. The scanner is loud, narrow, and frightening for a lot of people, so I treat every anxious patient like they are a family member. Before they even step into the suite, I explain step-by-step what to expect, give them emergency squeeze balls, put on their favorite music or radio station, and give them constant status updates over the intercom between scan sequences. Just hearing reassuring updates gives them something to hold onto. Taking those extra two minutes to build trust up front saves the scan and keeps the patient calm.
What role does teamwork play in a high-volume imaging department, especially on busy afternoons or emergency shifts?
Teamwork is the backbone of everything we do in radiology. When you have emergency room traumas coming through the doors, non-ambulatory inpatients who need careful transfer, and back-to-back outpatients scheduled on the hour, you cannot operate as an island. You rely heavily on your fellow technologists, nurses, orderlies, and transport staff. We constantly communicate, assist each other with heavy lifting or complex patient positioning, and step in without being asked. Having a team where everyone covers each other’s back keeps patient care seamless and keeps the energy positive, even on the hardest 10-hour shifts.
What are some of the technical and clinical challenges you navigate daily in MRI?
The most challenging and fascinating aspect of MRI is that no two patients or scans are ever identical. Every single scan must be custom-tailored to the patient’s unique history and pathology.
For instance, if a patient comes in for a brain MRI because of routine headaches, you run a standard baseline protocol. But if that same patient tells you they have a history of brain surgery, known tumors, or systemic cancer, the entire approach changes. You have to run specialized contrast sequences, high-resolution multi-planar views, and custom parameters. Whether a patient has massive uterine fibroids, complex ovarian cysts, or delicate neurological conditions, it is up to us as technologists to ask the right clinical questions, understand what the radiologist needs to see to make a life-saving diagnosis, and execute the perfect scan. That constant critical thinking keeps the job deeply rewarding every single day.
Looking back over your 27-year career, how have you seen imaging technology evolve, and how do you keep up with changes in the field?
The evolution has been absolute night and day. When I first started in radiography, we were still developing physical film in darkrooms with chemicals. Moving to digital imaging, advanced multi-slice CT, and high-field MRI magnets changed everything. Scans that used to take 45 minutes now take 15, and the image resolution is mind-blowing. Staying current means completing continuing education units (CEUs) every two years to maintain my registry credentials, leaning into hospital cross-training, and learning new software updates whenever we get new scanners. You never stop being a student in healthcare.
How do you approach mentoring or guiding newer technologists and clinical students who cross-train with you?
I love working with students and new techs because I vividly remember what it felt like to stand in their shoes: nervous, overwhelmed, and trying to memorize a million buttons and protocols. I tell them right away that mistakes are part of learning, but asking questions is non-negotiable. I focus on teaching them the reason behind positioning and pulse sequences, not just which buttons to push. More importantly, I emphasize patient communication. Anyone can learn to operate a machine with enough practice, but teaching a young tech how to put a frightened patient at ease is where true clinical mentorship happens.
When you look back to your time working at Burger King in 1989 compared to where you are today, what goes through your mind?
It is almost surreal. I think about that young guy working the drive-thru window, trying to figure out what his future looked like, and I feel immense gratitude. Taking that step to walk through the doors at Ross, listening to my dad’s advice, and believing in myself changed the entire trajectory of my life. It gave me a stable 30-year career, financial security, lifelong friends, and a daily purpose that I am genuinely proud of. If a young person standing in those exact same shoes today reads this, I hope they know that taking a chance on your education can completely rewrite your future.
What is your absolute strongest piece of advice for new students enrolling at Ross or beginning their healthcare journey?
My single strongest piece of advice to any student starting out is simple: Make sure you truly, genuinely love what you are doing.
Healthcare is not an industry you enter just for a paycheck. It requires deep compassion, patience, and a genuine desire to serve others. Patients are extremely intuitive; they can feel within 30 seconds whether you love your job or whether you are just going through the motions. If you realize during your training or clinicals that hands-on healthcare isn’t your passion, don’t force it. Don’t create a miserable snowball for yourself and bring that negative energy to patients who are already hurting. Go find what actually makes you happy.
However, if you have that natural gift of empathy and love helping people, protect it and nurture it. When you are in the right field, going to work never feels like a chore, and you will build a career that fills your heart every single day.
Outside of the hospital, how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance and recharge your energy?
I am a massive music lover. I love all genres from A to Z (everything from classic rock to brand-new releases) and I go to live concerts whenever I can. I also love taking fun, local one-day trips across Michigan and neighboring areas to refresh my energy. Whether it is driving up to Frankenmuth for the day, taking the ferry over to Put-in-Bay in Ohio, or spending a weekend exploring Chicago, short trips are my favorite way to unwind.
When I’m not traveling locally or at a concert, I’m usually working on home improvement projects. Being a homeowner means there is always a room to paint, a project to complete, or maintenance to manage. Balancing extra overtime shifts to invest in my home with local travel and good music gives me the perfect work-life balance.
Michael A. Zimny’s extraordinary career shows how taking that very first step toward quality, hands-on education can launch a lifetime of professional success, personal fulfillment, and meaningful community service. From a small, tight-knit classroom at Ross Medical Education Center in Warren to nearly three decades as an expert MRI Technologist, Michael proves that when you lead with empathy, dedication, and passion, success naturally follows.