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Mothers in Nuclear: A Spoonful of Nuclear

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The following guest post was submitted by Elizabeth McAndrew-Benavides, NEI's Senior Manager, Workforce Policy and Programs.
Shannon Rafferty-Czincila is neither a doctor nor nurse. But she is a mother of three, a nuclear energy professional and a local leader who is supporting advanced health care in her community.

Shannon Rafferty-Czincila
Shannon works as the license renewal lead at a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania and is the Chair of NEI’s License Renewal Implementation Working Group. Her job is to document how her company's nuclear power plants will continue to meet federal safety requirements if they are approved for continued operation beyond their original 40 year licenses. “Right now I believe that running our current plants is a good option to help support our growing need for energy,” said Rafferty-Czincila. “By obtaining a new license for a nuclear power plant we are ensuring that we will have clean, safe and reliable power for many more years.”

Rafferty-Czincila volunteers her time with the Friends of Einstein Medical Center Montgomery auxiliary. "It is important to me that my neighbors and my family have access to the best medical facilities available," said Shannon. "Now that the company I work for has decided to extend the operation of our fleet of nuclear power plants, my family will be living in the area for a long time."

Shannon’s volunteer work with the Friends of Einstein Medical Center Montgomery has benefited from her leadership experiences in the nuclear energy industry. She has been recognized for her leadership capabilities with her recent election to vice president of the Friends of Einstein Medical Center Montgomery auxiliary. Einstein Medical Center Montgomery is a new hospital that's part of the Einstein Health Care network.

The auxiliary helps support the hospital through community outreach, special projects and fundraising. Shannon believes that the auxiliary has a responsibility to reach as many people as possible and she looks forward to improving the health and well-being of the region.

"I wanted to get more involved in the community and I wanted my children to know that they need to give back to the area that they live in. I believe that parents need to be positive role models for their children," said Rafferty-Czincila.

When describing why she enjoys working as a nuclear license renewal professional and volunteering with the local auxiliary Rafferty-Czincila said: “I like the fact that I am working on projects that positively impact others. I find my work in the nuclear industry and the auxiliary to be rewarding.”
Shannon is one of the Mothers in Nuclear dedicated to her community and to ensuring the safe and reliable operations of our country's nuclear plants.
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