The joint venture is ramping up
Mindray NA has partnered with Weatherford College since 2017, helping them train the next generation of sonographers with the latest cutting-edge ultrasound technology. The program graduated its first class in 2011 and was awarded CAAHEP accreditation in January 2012. The program is accredited in abdomen, OB/GYN, and vascular tracts. Earlier this year, it went through its third site visit and had a perfect report.
Student scanning on Mindray Ultrasound Machine
Students learning in the sonography lab at Weatherford College
Bringing added value to future sonographers
A combination of clinicals and classes is designed throughout the five semesters. First-year students learn physics in order to take their SPI registry, normal anatomy of the abdomen, small parts, and obstetrics and gynecology. Second year students focus more on vascular and dive into the pathology of the abdomen.
Student under guidance
Student scanning on Mindray Ultrasound Machine
Many roads lead to a rewarding profession
The students are from all walks of life, for example, physicians in other countries, architects, vet techs, teachers, etc. Most of them have previously received their undergraduate degrees. By the time of graduation, a majority of them would have accepted a position through a clinical site they have rotated through during the program. The signed up clinical sites hospitals and outpatient centers provided facilities where students are able to expand knowledge and improve skills more and enroll in the echocardiography program. This makes them even more valuable in the field.
Weatherford College Sonography Program graduates in May 2019
Weatherford College Sonography Program graduates in May 2019
For advancement and for sustainability
Along the way, the students are taking actions to give back to the community by providing free 2D scans to OB patients, as long as they are under an OB physician’s care. Students have also participated in suicide prevention training and are currently organizing something for a battered women’s shelter.
For the future, the community forecasts the growing needs of cardiac sonographers. Thus the faculty is now working with the dean to put together a proposal to have a daytime cardiac and vascular program together. The plan with the echo program would be to have a portable unit that students could go out to, either churches, schools, or some other events where scanning, screening of stroke risk, and things like that are needed for the community.
MS, RDMS, RVT, Clinical Coordinator, Sonography
MS, RDMS, RVT, RT (R), Interim Director of Imaging, Sonography & Radiologic Technology
RDMS, RDCS, RVT, Interim Assistant Program Director, Sonography
healthcare within reach
Indeed, this ongoing partnership with Weatherford College’s diagnostic medical sonography program provided the perfect opportunity to highlight the incredibly hard-working sonographers and educators. We believe that years of training and provision of outstanding patient care would tackle the challenges in a rapidly growing industry of increasing patient demand and evolving technologies.
At Mindray, we are not only dedicated to innovate advanced technologies, but also aiming to bridge the education gaps in ultrasound education, making an impact in the sonography industry and beyond.
Disclaimers:
All images have been provided by Weatherford College.
This interview has been condensed to fit this blog.
References:
[1] https://www.nursingprocess.org/ultrasound-technician-programs/texas/
[2] https://www.community-news.com/2021/07/weatherford-college-sonography-program-ranked-best-in-texas/