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Faces of Cedars-Sinai: Ilona Shikoiants, MRI Technologist

Ilona Shikoiants an MRI Technologist at Cedars-Sinai

MRI Technologist Ilona Shikoiants

Having an MRI or CT scan can be one of the more stressful experiences you can have as a patient. You may be dealing with unexplained symptoms, grappling with a lot of questions, or coping with a complicated diagnosis.

MRI technologist Ilona Shikoiants helps patients through this often intense phase of their care.


"Our team has amazing, amazing people. We rely on each other. We help each other. We really are like a family."


What do you do as an MRI Technologist?

Ilona Shikoiants: I do imaging scans to help diagnose patients and also for research. One of the special procedures I perform is functional brain MRIs, during which we're checking motor skills and speech.

If, for example, a patient has a brain tumor, we can see which areas are affected by having them do motor and speech exercises while they are being scanned.

Our department never stops. We call MRI machines "magnets," and the ones in the Taper building run 24/7.

What inspired you to enter this field?


What's the best part of your job?



What's the best advice you've ever received?


"I feel that my life is meaningful if I can deliver something that makes people happy."


How do you relax?



Any pets?