PERSPECTIVES 25th Anniversary - Fall-Winter 2018

36 Nova Southeastern University By Jorge Han, M.D., RDMS, RDCS, RVT, Medical Sonography Program Director, and Brianna Black Kent, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Health Sciences Health Sciences Medical Sonography Highlighting the Achievements of Medical Sonography at NSU SINCE ITS CREATION in 2004, the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences’ Department of Health Science Medical Sonography Program has “talked the talk and walked the walk,” evolving into one of the most prestigious sonography programs in the United States and abroad. Guided by the vision, mission, and core values of Nova Southeastern University, the program succeeds in pursu- ing academic excellence, focusing on student-centered- ness, valuing integrity, promoting innovation, providing opportunity, seeking diversity, facilitating scholarship and research, and serving the surrounding communities. Established in 2004, the Medical Sonography Program offered the Bachelor of Health Science degree with a concentration in vascular sonography. In 2009, the program initiated the option for a Master of Health Science (M.H.Sc.) degree. In 2011, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonogra- phy published an assessment of the new trends in the medical sonography field in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography , which included an analysis of recommended program outcomes. This assessment prompted the program to expand in 2013 with the addition of the general concentration, while main- taining the original vascular curriculum. The inclusion of the general concentration offered new students the opportunity to earn two credentials in up to four specialties: vascular, abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, and breast. Graduates of the Medical Sonography Program with the generalist con- centration are prepared to fill emergent changes and trends in the medical field. “In my mind, this program has been outstanding in fulfilling several needs,” said James Benenati, M.D., medical director of the Medical Sonography Program. “Because of their diver- sified training, graduates can work with specialists in cardiol- ogy, radiology, surgery, and vascular medicine.” Mirroring the vision of the medical sonography professional organizations, the program designed and implemented the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography and the Bach- elor of Science in Medical Sonography with option for a Master of Health Science degree. The Medical Sonography Program is one of only two programs nationally that offers a professional degree in the medical sonography field. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs granted initial accreditation for the central concen- tration in 2014, and continuing accreditation for the vascular concentration until 2020. As of 2017, students enrolled in the dual-degree option can study one of the following M.H.Sc. concentrations: generalist, leadership in health care, higher education, and health care risk management. “The unique- ness of the Medical Sonography Program with its dual- degree option can create and shape careers for motivated students interested in health care professions,” Benenati said. Fort Lauderdale