Rachel the Radiographer Goes Prime Time: Featured on NBC’s 11-Alive Atlanta & Company With Cara Kneer
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It’s not every day that a children’s book about radiologic technology and medical imaging lands on a major television network. But that’s exactly what happened when Rachel the Radiographer—my new STEM children’s book—was invited onto Atlanta & Company on NBC 11 Alive with host Cara Kneer.
As the author and a radiologic technologist with more than two decades of experience, I had the chance to sit down and talk about why I wrote this book, why radiology is one of healthcare’s best-kept secrets, and how early childhood educators, librarians, daycare directors, child life specialists, and parents can use this story to spark curiosity about healthcare careers.
This wasn’t just an author interview—it was a moment that showed how important it is to bring radiology and medical imaging into the spotlight for children everywhere.
A First for Radiology in Children’s Books
During the segment, Cara introduced Rachel the Radiographer as a book that helps kids discover healthcare careers “beyond doctors and nurses.” And that’s exactly what Rachel is here to do.
Most children’s books only mention doctors or nurses when talking about healthcare. But behind every MRI, CT scan, X-ray, and radiation therapy treatment, there’s a radiologic technologist at work. They are healthcare professionals who play a critical role in diagnosing illness and helping patients heal—yet most children (and many adults) have never even heard of them.
That’s why having Rachel’s story featured on a network midday show is so significant. It shows that this is a conversation worth having—not just in hospitals or classrooms, but in living rooms.
Sharing My Story on NBC
During the interview, I shared how my own journey into medical imaging began. Before entering healthcare, I did hair. But after facing illness and moving back home with my mother, I found my way into Emory University’s School of Medicine Medical Imaging Program.
That decision changed everything. For the past 23 years, I’ve worked as a radiologic technologist, specialized in CT and MRI, taught as a college-level educator, built a staffing company, and even worked as an expert witness.
But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: children need to know about radiology sooner. If we wait until adulthood, many will miss out on opportunities to explore careers that could change their lives.
That’s why Rachel was born.
Why This TV Feature Matters for Kids
For parents, teachers, child life specialists and librarians watching, the segment wasn’t just a fun author spotlight—it was an introduction to an entirely new way of thinking about healthcare careers for kids.
Here’s what we discussed on air:
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Phonics + STEM: Rachel’s book includes phonics to help kids pronounce “radiologic technologist”—because learning should be fun, even with big words!
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Normalizing healthcare: Children often fear medical machines because adults tell them they’re scary. Rachel shows them that MRIs, CTs, x-rays, ultrasounds and radiation therapy can be safe and even interesting.
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Representation: It’s about possibility. Rachel shows children that healthcare careers go far beyond the traditional roles of doctor or nurse. By learning about radiology and other imaging fields, kids can see that there are many more options available to them in healthcare.
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Beyond bones: Radiology is not just about broken arms. It includes more than a dozen specialties, from nuclear medicine to mammography to radiation therapy.
For families, this was a reminder that books can be powerful tools to prepare children for real-world experiences and future careers.
Why Early Learners Need Rachel
For elementary educators and daycare owners, Rachel opens the door to conversations about science and technology that go beyond the usual STEM stories.
For librarians and media specialists, Rachel expands collections with a healthcare STEM book that reflects diversity and introduces children to careers they rarely hear about.
For child life specialists, Rachel provides a tool for easing patient fears before imaging procedures by turning medical technology into something approachable.
And for parents, Rachel is a way to encourage curiosity and plant seeds for future career possibilities—before kids are even old enough to worry about college debt or career decisions.
A National Moment, A Local Beginning
As I sat in the NBC studio in Atlanta, I realized how groundbreaking this was. Rachel the Radiographer is one of the few children’s books in existence that spotlights radiology. And now, it had the chance to be shared with thousands of viewers—educators, parents, and children who may never have heard of this career before.
This was more than just a television appearance. It was a step toward making radiology visible, inspiring kids to dream differently, and showing the importance of representation in early STEM education.
How to Bring Rachel Into Your School or Library
Rachel the Radiographer is available now for classrooms, libraries, hospitals, and homes. Educators can use it as part of a STEM or health careers unit. Libraries can feature it in healthcare or career exploration sections. Child life specialists can use it with young patients. And parents can read it at home to start early conversations about healthcare options.
You can order the book directly from RachelTheRadiographer.com, where you’ll also find resources for educators and organizations.
Final Thoughts
Being invited onto NBC’s Atlanta & Company was an incredible honor—not just for me as an author, but for radiology and imaging as a profession. It means that Rachel’s story is reaching beyond social media and bookstores, into mainstream conversations where children’s futures are shaped.
Every child deserves to know that healthcare careers extend beyond doctors and nurses. With Rachel by their side, they’ll learn that radiology is not only important—it’s a field where they, too, can make a difference.
👉 Rachel the Radiographer is available now. Add it to your classroom, library, hospitals or home collection today and help children discover the hidden world of medical imaging healthcare careers.