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91Ӱ��’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program reaches a milestone with a third accreditation in a focused area of study. The College is now accredited in Vascular, and was accredited in Abdominal and Obstetrics/Gynecology in Jan. 2016 by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

“The accreditation demonstrates the quality of 91Ӱ��’s program to employers, as well as the community, and shows we are teaching to a nationally recognized standard,” said Cindy Hess, 91Ӱ�� senior vice president and chief academic officer.

In addition to an accredited program, 91Ӱ�� graduates have a higher pass rate on the board exam than the national average including a 100% pass rate on the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Vascular Exam.

“Ultrasound is the only medical imaging where the image is totally operator dependent, meaning whatever is scanned is whatever is reviewed,” said Aimee M Francois, 91Ӱ�� diagnostic medical sonography program director. “Because of that, we are seeing hiring practices shift as more health care companies hire graduates from accredited programs due to changes in healthcare and reimbursement policies from insurance companies.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for sonographers is expected to grow by more than 30 percent through 2022, which is a much higher rate than many other occupations.

“The impact of our program reaches across northeast Oklahoma. The training we provide our students in the areas of abdominal, obstetrics/gynecology, and vascular sonography and the skills they develop in all three areas meets the needs of our communities, both urban and rural,” said Francois.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at 91Ӱ�� is a five-semester workforce development degree offered at 91Ӱ��’s Owasso Campus and designed for the individual to go directly into the workforce. For more information regarding 91Ӱ��’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, call 918-595-2059 or email aimee.francois@tulsacc.edu.