SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL:

LBW Community College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is proud of the 100 percent passage rate of senior-level students on the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam, achieving the first step toward becoming Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers before graduating in December.

“All 13 students passed this important registry exam on the first try,” said LBWCC’s DMS Program Director Oliva Bush, BSRT(R), RDMS, RVT. “This exam is commonly referred to as ‘ultrasound physics,’ and their 100 percent passage rate on the first try is admirable. After one more exam, they will become Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (RDMS).”

Students with the successful scores include Candace Chapman and Joanna Drake of Dothan; Morgan Boozer of Thorsby; Melissa Morrow of Enterprise; Mandi Mallory of Elba; Shelby Cochran and Brooke Manning of Jack; Jerika Shepherd, Luverne; Hanna Chaney, Uriah; Amber Hutchinson, Jackson; Emily O’Rourke, Andalusia; and Bonnie Rosser, Ariton.

“We are extremely proud of our students and program faculty,” said Dr. Herb Riedel, LBWCC president. “This achievement is evidence that graduates of the DMS program are well-prepared for both the registry examinations and to enter the workforce in a high-demand field.”

Completion of LBWCC’s DMS program results in a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

As a CAAHEP-accredited program, LBWCC DMS graduates may become registered through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in Abdomen or OB/GYN as early as 60 days prior to graduation, said Bush.

This program of study is designed to provide didactic and clinical training in the field of general diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound). Sonographers, also known as ultrasound technologists or diagnostic medical sonographers, use advanced imaging procedures. The student receives training in the fields of acoustic principles and safety, abdominal, obstetrical, gynecologic, and small parts sonography.

Graduates may have the opportunity to complete an additional semester upon graduation to receive a vascular certificate for the practice of vascular sonography, and another additional semester for a cardiac certificate for the practice of echocardiography.

For more information on LBWCC’s diagnostic medical sonography program, visit www.lbwcc.edu or call 334-493-5345.