21 March ICC's Diagnostic Medical Sonography awarded accreditation March 21, 2024 By Thomas, Donna S. Career Center, General 0 Itawamba Community College’s newest health science program, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, has been awarded accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. “With this national accreditation, our students are eligible to obtain credentials in obstetrics and gynecologic sonography and abdominal extended sonography by the time of graduation,” said Amanda Stone, program director. “Upon graduation, students are eligible to be licensed registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers entering the workforce. This is a huge accomplishment for our program. We are one of only two Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs accredited in the state. We have worked tirelessly with the help and support of the community, especially our clinical affiliates, toward this goal at ICC since the beginning of the program.” DMS combines an in-person boot camp/lab session at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters, clinical rotations and online didactic courses. Graduates of the one-year (three semester program) earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program format offers an opportunity for potential students from outside ICC’s service area to participate as long as clinical sites are approved. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are highly skilled healthcare professionals who use high frequency sound waves, also known as ultrasound, to produce diagnostic images of the internal structures of the human body. Sonographers work closely with physicians and radiologists, who interpret the ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures. They work in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, women’s health centers and pediatric care centers. “We are excited to earn this accreditation status for ICC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program,” said Dean of Health Science Instruction Tonya Vaughn. “Reopening this program in the fall of 2022 as a suggestion from our advisory committee led to the identification of a scarcity of programs in the state. This innovative program serves both new students as well as current sonographers who want additional certifications.” ICC President Dr. Jay Allen received official notification of the accreditation in a letter dated Mar. 18. “The commission recognizes your organization’s commitment to continuous quality improvement in health professions education, as demonstrated by your participation in CAAHEP programmatic accreditation,” said Dr. Donald Balasa, president of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, who sent the notification letter. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography conducts comprehensive and annual reviews of the program’s compliance with the Standards and submits recommendations regarding accreditation status to CAAHEP. JRC-DMS monitors the program’s outcomes through its annual report and supporting documentation. An onsite visit was conducted earlier this year. The next evaluation of the program is scheduled to occur no later than 2029. Related Articles ICC Practical Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography students participate in commencement ceremony Several area residents from Itawamba Community College’s Practical Nursing and Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs participated in a commencement ceremony, July 20, at the W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center at the Fulton Campus. Practical Nursing graduates include Marley Edwards, Kayla Young, both of Amory; Rebekah Crain of Columbus; Myeasha Rieves of Crawford; Skylar Timms of Fulton; Joshua Logan Barnett, Chasity Wright, both of Guntown; MaKenzie Moffett of Hatley; Jessica Loden of Mantachie; Nija Wofford of Mantee; Samantha Mills of Mooreville; Savannah Mills of Nettleton; Ashley Jones of New Albany; Taneshia Walker of Plantersville; Rayna Russell of Pontotoc; GraceAnne Baker, Iris Breez Fikes, Abby Katherine Kimbrough, all of Smithville; Brian Ware of Starkville; Kimberly Bell, Ana Rose Hamblin, India Marshall, Deasia Hampton, all of Tupelo; Rosanna Nikki Earrey of Van Vleet; and Chauney Ledbetter of Verona. Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduates are Melanie Gardner of Caledonia; Kaitlyn McCool of Louisville; Christina McGreger of Pittsboro; Jamieson Banks of Pontotoc; Kristian Joshlin of Saltillo; Hilary Heath of Starkville; Sarah Beth Maxey and Lydia Owens, both of Tupelo. Practical Nursing is a one-year (three-semester) ... Six receive ICC Diagnostic Medical Sonography degrees in special ceremony Several area residents from Itawamba Community College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program received their degrees at a special event, July 23, at the Health Science Education Center at the Tupelo Campus. They include Holly Tillman of Ackerman; Madison Huppert of Amory; Madisson Dill of Corinth; Mamie Hollenhead of Louisville; Lenzi Lewis of Okolona; and Misty Taylor of Pontotoc. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a one-year (three-semester) program. Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations. Amanda Stone of Saltillo is the program director, and Daphne Jackson of Shannon, clinical coordinator. ICC's Salinas awarded prestigious Community College Transfer Scholarship Diana Salinas, Itawamba Community College sophomore, is one of 72 recipients of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s prestigious Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship will provide Salinas with up to $40,000 a year to complete her bachelor’s degree. Salinas is majoring in computer science at ICC, where she is vice president of the Student Government Association, president of the Computer Science Club, Diamond Girl, member of the Honors College and vice president of leadership and regional reporter for Phi Theta Kappa. Her honors include Hall of Fame, Dean’s and President’s lists, SGA Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, All-Mississippi Academic Second Team, NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars, Delta Scholar, Tennessee Valley Authority Scholarship and Lyceum Scholarship from the University of Mississippi, where she will transfer. Her community and church activities are translating, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and tutoring. She is the daughter of Gabriela Cortes and Santos Vazquez. “We know how much exponentially harder this past year has been on students. It’s an honor to award this group of individuals as they have achieved so much both in the classroom and in their ... Nursing alumni part of Baptist Medical Center staff awarded recognition Four Itawamba Community College alumni are members of the nursing staff at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, which recently received the nation’s top honor for nursing excellence. The Magnet® designation is granted by the credentialing center of the American Nurses Association and considered worldwide as the ‘ultimate seal of quality.’ They include LaShanda Randle, Amy Franklin, Leasa Shorter and Judith Lowe. Only seven percent of hospitals in America have earned Magnet, recognition. Baptist is the only hospital in Mississippi to receive this designation. ICC's Allen, Atkins accepted into prestigious Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program Itawamba Community College sophomores Emma Grace Allen of Fulton and Payton Atkins of Hamilton have been accepted into the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program (MRPSP). The MRPSP offers scholarships to medical students in Mississippi who agree to practice in underserved rural areas of Mississippi after completing their training for one year for each year they receive the scholarship. Participants will receive mentoring, rural clinical experience, MCAT preparation and a support system on their pathway to becoming a physician. As part of the MRPSP, they join a network of undergraduate students, medical students, residents and practicing physicians, all offering support throughout their medical education and into their future practice. Allen is a biology major at ICC, where she will receive her associate’s degree this month. Her honors and activities include orientation leader, Global Experience, Food Pantry representative, Indian Delegation president, BSU lead team member, Fashion Tribe, STEM Club, Phi Theta Kappa, Honors College, Science Club, Miss ICC 2023, Hall of Fame 2023 and freshman and sophomore Homecoming maid. She is youth and college ministry and children’s church volunteer at Bethel ... ICC's Health Sciences Division to host Code Blue and Red event for students from 12 area schools Itawamba Community College’s Health Sciences Division will host a Code Blue and Red event from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Feb. 10, in the Health Science Education Center at the Tupelo Campus. Students from 12 area schools will be on campus in two shifts (8:30 and 10:15 a.m.) to view simulations of three real-life scenarios, said Michael Holloway, director of recruitment and orientation. A North Mississippi Medical Center ambulance will arrive, and the students will see first-hand the need for and the role healthcare professionals play in the process. “It will be an impactful program,” Holloway said, “Our hope is that these students see the ‘real-life’ expertise used by the graduates of ICC’s programs.” Participating programs include students and faculty from Associate Degree Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Sciences, Health Information, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Health, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology. Dean of Health Science Instruction Tonya Vaughn said that this event will be an exceptional interprofessional education opportunity. “IEP is a new emphasis area in healthcare education. The goal of these efforts is to develop knowledge, ... Comments are closed.