UF Introduces New Sonography Programs

Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay will debut its new sonography programs at a 10 a.m. open house on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at its refurbished facility located at the Diagnostic Services Department, 401 Trenton Ave.
A ribbon-cutting will be followed by tours, equipment demonstrations and explanations of the Bachelor of Science and Associate of Arts degree programs that will be offered to students beginning in January 2015. Refreshments will be served.
The University spent $300,000 to renovate 3,000 square feet for classrooms and laboratories. The programs were developed through a collaboration between Dr. Andrea Koepke, dean of the College of Health Professions; Dr. Richard States, Diagnostic Services chair; Susan Perry, Med, RDMS; and Heather Duval-Foote, BAS, RDMS.
Perry said she and Duval-Foote, both experienced sonography educators, “were looking for a supportive environment where excellence in education was a top priority and where students could have the opportunity to earn either an associate or bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography.”
“From the first conversation with Dr. Koepke and Dr. States, in the summer of 2013, Heather and I have received support, encouragement and autonomy to develop the programs,” said Perry.
The sonography addition further enhances the College of Health Profession’s diagnostic study offerings, which range from nuclear medicine technology to medical laboratory science.
Sonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound), via a small device called a transducer, to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues or blood flow inside the body for physician interpretation.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and Ohio Board of Regents, the program will offer three areas of study to choose from, including diagnostic medical sonography, which studies the abdomen, male and female pelvis, obstetrics and superficial structures; vascular sonography, which studies the arteries and veins; and echocardiography, which studies the adult heart for function and pathology.
Those earning associate degrees through the program can do so in three semesters. The academically aggressive first semester will include spending 30 to 40 hours per week in the classroom and laboratory settings. In addition to scanning in the laboratories, students will have the opportunity to use the University’s cadaver lab to evaluate documented pathology, which will better prepare them for real-life experiences.
Upon completion of the academic semester, which includes normal anatomy and pathology, students will attend clinical education for 40 hours per week at one of the University’s designated clinical education centers. Clinical education is 35 weeks in length and totals 1,400 hours.
Those earning four-year bachelor’s degrees through the program will also take general education courses that the University requires of all such students.
“This impressive amount of clinical education ensures that our graduates have attributes that employers are looking for,” said Perry. “Along with the unique, three-semester design of the programs, students will complete their degree faster and begin their professional careers sooner.”
“We are very excited to offer this unique curriculum design and approach to sonography education to the community, stakeholders and ultimately the patients that our graduates will serve,” Perry said.

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