Delaware Tech Alumnus Follows Her Heart

Purusha Rivera always knew that babies would be a part of her life – as a mother and through her studies and career in sonography. Graduating from Delaware Tech in 2000 with a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Rivera pursued a career in pregnancy sonography. She was living her dream with two children and a thriving career in her field.

Then she discovered something that would change her life forever – a teddy bear. The teddy bear contained a recordable device to capture the sound of a baby’s heartbeat through an ultrasound. The expecting mother could then hear this special sound whenever she wanted.

Rivera began offering the bears for purchase and a business was born.

The My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear is available in many different animals – which Rivera designs herself. Since the business began in 2009, it has grown by leaps and bounds. Last year, the business earned about $1.2 million in sales, and sales are steadily increasing.

Rivera credits Delaware Tech for giving her the education and hands-on training she needed to pursue her passion. “Delaware Tech prepared me very well to succeed in my chosen career,” said Rivera on a recent visit to speak with current sonography students. As a way to pay it forward, she is creating a scholarship for a sonography student to pursue his/her dreams, too. “I love what I do, and I am blessed to have found my passion and be able to share it with the world.”

Learn more at mybabysheartbeatbear.com.