Apprentice Spotlight: Marsela Vrapi – Success Story

Marsela Vrapi's healthcare career journey began back in 2009, when she took on a role as a security guard at Quincy Hospital. When the hospital closed, she transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton, Massachusetts, where she saw it best to further advance in her career. However, as a working mother putting two children through college, Marsela was quick to face significant financial barriers. 

In 2019, H-CAP began working with Good Samaritan Hospital to address their need for radiologists certified in multiple modalities, including MRI and mammography. With the project temporarily halted during COVID, it eventually resumed, offering Marsela the opportunity she had been waiting for.  

"When I heard about the apprenticeship, I was thrilled," she says. "Unlike my previous training experiences, I could receive my regular pay while learning. This allowed me to truly focus on mastering my skills instead of constantly juggling work, school, and family responsibilities." 

"Working with different mentors and technicians was invaluable," Marsela explains. "I picked up unique techniques and approaches from each person, building a diverse skill set that I wouldn't have developed otherwise." 

Management offered flexible scheduling, regular check-ins, tutoring when needed, and consistent encouragement throughout her journey. "Working with different mentors and technicians was invaluable," Marsela explains. "I picked up unique techniques and approaches from each person, building a diverse skill set that I wouldn't have developed otherwise." 

In December 2023, Marsela completed the Multi-Modality Radiology apprenticeship at Good Samaritan. The results of her hard work were immediate and tangible: 

• She's now certified to perform mammograms, a critical service in women's healthcare, 

• her pay has increased significantly, 

• she can pick up additional shifts across different departments, and 

• her relationship with her employer has strengthened considerably. 

"I feel great about myself and the program," Marsela says with pride. "This opportunity has changed my life, and I'm incredibly grateful." 

For Marsela, learning and growth remain ongoing priorities. In fact, she’s already considering pursuing certification in another specialty—potentially as an MRI technician.