Roanoke Higher Education Center and Sovah Health Announce New Partnership
In a new collaboration, the Sovah School of Health Professions is partnering with the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) to make its nationally accredited imaging educational programs available to those living in the Roanoke Valley. In doing so, Sovah Health will begin training Roanoke area students in ultrasound technology to help meet the growing demand for sonographers, as well as supporting Roanoke Valley workforce development in creating a pipeline of skilled sonographers for local employers.
The Sovah School of Health Professions, an affiliate of Sovah Health (a regional health care delivery system), is in the process of developing a new satellite location at the RHEC, where the school will offer its accredited diagnostic medical sonography program beginning January 2024. Including prerequisites, the two-year, full-time course of study will lead to an Applied Science Associate’s Degree in General Diagnostic Medical Sonography (A.S. DMS). This educational track will offer training in Abdominal Extended Sonography, Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography, and Vascular Sonography. The satellite location will include a classroom and lab, with opportunities for clinical training in a number of sites around the Roanoke Valley.
“Training students in ultrasound technology to meet the growing demand for sonography care for those living in the Roanoke Valley, as well as supporting area workforce development, furthers our mission of making communities healthier,” said Steve Heatherly, Sovah Health Market President, and Dean of the School. “We are proud to expand our footprint into the Roanoke Valley.” The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is a comprehensive curriculum, combining, didactic, hands-on, and clinical study that enable program graduates to not only be awarded the A.S.(DMS) degree, but upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) examinations in the areas of:
- Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI)
- Abdomen (AB)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
- Vascular
“We want to thank the Sovah School of Health Professions for their spirit of collaboration to provide training for our region’s healthcare agencies. RHEC is actively recruiting students who are interested in enrolling,” stated Kay Dunkley, RHEC’s Executive Director.
“Sonographers are in high demand,” said Dr. Elaine Nichols, Program Director of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. “We are honored to partner with the RHEC to bring our program to the Roanoke Valley, where our goal is to continue training a skilled, competent, and compassionate group of tomorrow’s workforce in this field – who will now be available to provide care to individuals living in the Roanoke Valley.”