Shaun Lewis’ life was shaped by a couple of car crashes. His perseverance since has shaped the strength, spirit and success he displays today.

The Westerville native was not yet four years old when a car accident left his mother in a coma. Lewis landed in foster care until she recovered fully. For almost six years, he bounced from town to town, from family to family. “I’d say I’m pretty tough,” he reflected, considering some situations he faced while growing up in foster care. “I can handle a lot.”

How he handled the aftermath of the next accident charted his path. When he was eight years old, Lewis was hit by a car while riding his bike. The collision shattered an arm, damaged the nerves in a leg and required an extended hospital stay. During that dark time, he was enlightened to an unexpected fascination — Lewis was allured by X-rays. “I found out I loved bones,” he said.

The process of capturing X-rays captured his attention and diverted it from the pain. His captivation kicked off a curiosity that guided him toward a career in radiology. Coming from poverty, education seemed like Lewis’ surefire means to stability. When it came time for college, COTC seemed like the clear choice. “It was a good financial decision,” he started, “but I also remember when I looked up ‘best X-ray school,’ COTC popped up. All the hands-on clinical work really appealed to me. I knew I would get so much experience.”

He graduated with his associate degree in radiologic science technology in 2004. Since then, Lewis claims “there’s never been a moment where I didn’t feel prepared. COTC got me ready for the world and gave me a degree I can take anywhere.”

Testing that theory, he moved to Texas after graduating and worked as a mobile radiologist. Ohio ultimately called him back, and he currently performs diagnostic X-rays at Central Ohio Primary Care in Reynoldsburg. With the walk-in nature of the role, he interacts with people of all backgrounds. It makes him think about the people he lived with in foster care. “Experiencing a variety of different class and family dynamics formed my wide understanding of and compassion for different patients.”

Lewis now lives next door to his alma mater and enjoys walking the path through campus. His path through life has been a windy one. It has challenged his strength, developed his character and established his purpose. Through it all, education became his constant and the conduit to his success. He knows he chose the right place to propel him toward his passion. “COTC really did bring out an excitement in me,” Lewis said.

And when it comes to getting that same excitement and potential out of today’s students, “I have 100% confidence in COTC. They will prepare them for the workforce and the future.”