LBW Community College students enrolled in diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) just got more hands-on lab time, thanks to the generous donation of ultrasound equipment from Wiregrass Medical Center in Geneva.

The Acuson Sequoia 512 ultrasound machine was delivered and installed at LBWCC in Opp and is capable of all types of studies, including vascular, obstetrics, cardiac, and abdominal studies, said Olivia Bush, LBWCC’s program director.

“This donation enhances the quality of instruction in the lab because it decreases our student-to-machine ratio. It gives each student more hands-on experience,” she said.

“The more experience students get in the lab, the better prepared they are when they enter clinical settings, such as doctors’ offices and hospitals.”

LBWCC President Dr. Herb Riedel said the donation creates an advantage for students.

“Our goal is to prepare students to enter the workforce by providing real-world, hands on experience,” he said. “We are grateful for the donation and the advantage it provides our students.”

The DMS program of study at LBWCC is an Associate in Applied Science Degree program and 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).

Ultrasonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves, or ultrasound, to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body, and is used to help physicians determine a medical diagnosis.

According to the Alabama Department of Labor, diagnostic medical sonography is a high demand, high wage occupation in this area. For more information on LBWCC’s program, call 334-493-5345.