Dancing Gene
Star Search winner, L.A. Clippers dancer, a Sweetheart for Soldiers–this 27-year-old MRI tech embraces each opportunity to touch lives.
By Taylor Hooks, RT(R)(CT)(MR)
Advance for Imaging & Radiation Oncology
November 2, 2010
I still remember my first dance lesson–at age 5. My mom grew up dancing and must have passed on the gene. It became an immediate, lasting part of my soul. Throughout childhood, I took dance classes and participated in competitions, all the while maintaining a balance with my school studies. Balance is key–as third- and six-graders, respectively, my younger sister and I were great students while part of a five-person group that earned the title of Star Search “Jr. Dance Champions” in 1993.
But dance wasn’t our only family tradition. My father was a radiologist, as was his father. They instilled within me the importance of not only being the very best practitioner but also taking the time to care for each patient as if that patient were family. This simple-yet-powerful concept became a cornerstone of my character. At age 18–nine years after receiving scores from the one-and-only Ed McMahon–I entered radiography school.
After graduating with my radiologic technology degree, I furthered my education by completing the Special Imaging program at Loma Linda University. After passing the post-primary registry exams to add CT and MRI to my American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certifications, I began my career at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at age 20. Also at this time, my love for dance led me to one of the most exciting moments of my life: becoming a professional dancer for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers.
As part of the Clippers’ Spirit Dance Team, I performed under the lights of the Staples Center in front of 20,000 people–but just as importantly, I was able to meet, inspire and be inspired by some of the best fans in the world. Whether it was out on the court during a timeout routine, making an appearance in the greater L.A. area, or working at the hospital with the last patient of the day, I never forgot that one principle my parents taught me early on: Take the time to let everyone know they are special. That’s why the “Fan Favorite” accolades I received during my four seasons with the Clippers mean so much to me.
Since leaving the Clippers in 2008, I’ve been a featured model in Shape magazine (the August 2009 issue), discussing ways to live a healthy lifestyle while juggling an extremely busy schedule. Also, I was chosen in 2009 to join a nonprofit organization called Sweethearts for Soldiers (SFS), which allows me to continue this journey I began years ago. The SFS organization is composed solely of former NBA dancers and NFL cheerleaders who volunteer their time to make appearances and perform in charity events in their respective cities and around the world for active-duty soldiers and their families. I have the opportunity to entertain people during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
So whether it’s all the wonderful people I’ve met–and will meet–as a CT/MRI technologist or the many fans I encounter through dancing, my personal goal remains the same: to try to make each person’s day just a bit brighter.
Sidebar: You have NO idea how hard I tried to find those 1993 Star Search videos of “Girls of Paradise”. I’m still looking!
