WSU Receives Top Honor In Radiologic Training

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University has been named winner of the “Best Radiologic Technologist Training Program” by the Minnies, a prestigious award bestowed by professional peers in the field of medical imaging.

 “We always knew our Department of Radiologic Sciences ranked high in the nation,” said Yasmen Simonian, dean of the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions. “This just validates what we already knew and sets our students up as the top candidates for hiring in their field.”

The 2012 Minnies touted WSU’s 95 percent pass rate on national certification exams and the department’s regional program, which allows students to gain experience from clinical sites in their own communities. 

Students of the program work in more than 50 clinical sites in Utah and neighboring states.

In 2010, WSU became one of the first universities in the U.S. to launch a Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences program. The program, now serving 50 students, allows technologists to focus on education and research and participate in advanced clinical practice.  

Radiologic technologists create permanent medical images of the inside of the human body in a way that is as non-invasive as possible. They also facilitate patient diagnosis and management through medical images using X-rays, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 

On the front lines for diagnosis, radiologic technologists provide life-saving information for treatment of many diseases, including breast cancer, which the American Cancer Society estimates will be detected in more than 226,000 women in the U.S. in 2012. 

WSU’s program has been recognized multiple times by the Minnies, but never claimed the top honor until now. This year it even outpaced runner-up Johns Hopkins University. 

 “We provide the best education for our students, the best support for our faculty, the best resources for our healthcare partners and the best partnership with our community,” said Robert Walker, chair, Department of Radiologic Sciences. 

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Contact:
Robert Walker, chair, radiologic sciences
801-626-7156 • rwalker2@weber.edu
Author:
Kimberly Jensen, University Communications
801-626-7581 • kimberlyjensen6@weber.edu