Teresa Pickens grew up in Greer, South Carolina. From an early age filled with sicknesses, Teresa realized that she wanted to help people and work in a hospital. Her mother, Nellie Loftis, inspired her from a young age to always be caring and willing to help people no matter the circumstances. After graduating from Greenwood High School in 1982, Teresa decided to follow her lifelong dream and compassion for others and attended Piedmont Technical College to get a degree in allied health science. While attending Piedmont Technical College, she realized how many people were affected by breast cancer. Teresa wanted to be able to take care of those who were struggling with breast cancer and become a calming presence when they were going through the sickness.
After graduating in 1984 from Piedmont Tech, Teresa began her career in the medical world as a radiologic technologist, later advancing to become a CT technologist after working many years as a radiologic technologist. In 1992, Teresa found herself still wanting to help those who struggle with breast cancer and began working as a mammographer. In 1995, The Oklahoma City Bombing made Teresa realize how fast people’s lives can change in just a quick moment. This solidified her wanting to help people struggling through breast cancer and live her life as Jesus lived his and let her faith guide her life. To this day, Teresa is a mammographer with Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health - Union. She is a Sunday school teacher in her local church and lets her faith and Christian religion guide her life.
Interviewed by: John Pickens, USC Upstate
