Community Partnerships Boost Opportunities for Aspiring Radiographers
Gift from Hartford HealthCare provides access to advanced diagnostic tools
Key Highlights
- Sacred Hearth University’s radiography students gain hands-on training with advanced diagnostic tools
- Students complete immersive placements with area health systems to gain essential exposure to state-of-the-art radiography equipment
- Faculty collaborate with clinical staff to integrate the latest imaging technologies and techniques into coursework
- Sacred Heart radiography students achieve an 88% first-time board pass rate and 100% job placement after graduation
- Students learn how radiography saves lives, bridges patient care and technology and addresses workforce shortages in Connecticut and beyond
On November 8, 1895, German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered the X-ray—an important moment that marked the beginning of diagnostic imaging and the field of radiography.
Radiography continues to evolve as practitioners constantly refine their skills and specialize in new and more sophisticated techniques. Sacred Heart University’s radiography program has prepared aspiring radiologic technologists to be leaders in the field for decades.
Picture this: A career where you save lives Study radiography at SHU and graduate job-ready with in-demand skills
Apply Now!In honor of National Radiologic Technology Week (which marks Roentgen’s discovery), here’s a look at SHU’s long-running radiography program. An essential part of SHU’s success is its community partners. Among the industry leaders that help to provide direct learning experiences is Hartford HealthCare, which recently donated a new digital X-ray machine to the program. In addition, this health care network supports the program through $20,000 in scholarship funds that are awarded to high-performing Connecticut-based students in the radiography program.
This affiliation has elevated SHU’s instruction, contributing to an 88% first-time board passage rate and 100% job placement.
Its impact can be seen in three key areas:
Enhanced clinical partnerships with access to today’s equipment
Radiographers will be in high demand over the next 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. These professionals have been and are expected to continue to be in short supply, according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
SHU students gain industry knowledge through clinical placements with Hartford HealthCare, said Karl Minges, dean of the College of Health Professions. “With strong industry demand and many students interested in radiography, Sacred Heart is working to meet the workforce shortage in Connecticut and beyond,” he added.
Exposure to industry-relevant technologies, such as MRI, CT scans and ultrasound, is key to providing a bridge between coursework and real-life practice. SHU’s aspiring radiographers work with seasoned radiography professionals as they gain firsthand experience with imaging equipment they will use once they graduate.
Professional mentorship and networking
Sacred Heart’s radiography program has long benefited from dedicated support from industry partners. Expert faculty also bring academic and in-the-field experience to the program. Hartford HealthCare’s expansive network of facilities across Connecticut provides students with professional mentorship and networking opportunities, which can be a fast track to a career after graduation.
The affiliation also provides a pipeline to guest speakers who share what a typical workday looks like, talk about professional standards and describe what it’s like to work as part of a larger medical team.
Continuous program improvement
Long-term industry interest in the program has continually shaped it and supported students with scholarship aid and increased educational opportunities. Close ties with professional partners allow faculty members to engage with clinical staff and integrate emerging technologies and practices into the curriculum. This ensures that students are learning the fundamentals, as well as in-demand skills.
With professional feedback on student performance, faculty can assess how well students are prepared for the workforce and identify areas for growth in the curriculum or clinical training opportunities. Collaborating with professional partners also opens doors for collaborative research opportunities, which can lead to innovative teaching methods, as well as unique research projects for students.
“Partnerships, like the one with Hartford HealthCare, are instrumental in ensuring that we can prepare and train highly competent, caring and leading radiography technicians. This investment in the students’ education allows our graduates to be trained on state-of-the-art technology,” Minges said.
Considering a career in radiography?
At SHU, students preparing for careers in radiography learn how imaging plays a vital role in patient diagnosis while gaining the skills needed to thrive in this fast-growing field. See where you fit into the picture and explore opportunities in acute, ambulatory and long-term health care settings and physicians’ offices. Sacred Heart offers associate and bachelor’s degree programs in radiography. Learn more by reaching out to Noreen Morgenstern, assistant director of undergraduate admissions, at morgensternn@sacredheart.edu or schedule a visit today!
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