Crozer-Chester Medical Center Opens

School of Diagnostic Ultrasound

Crozer-Chester Medical Center continues its leadership role as an academic teaching hospital with the opening of the Crozer School of Diagnostic Ultrasound. The ultrasound school classes begin every September, and the first class started in the Fall of 1999. As part of the school's first year, another class has been added that will begin April 2000.

The school is the result of the work of key people in the radiology department of the Crozer-Keystone Health System. Pro-gram director Barbara Annunziato, department chairman Joseph Stock MD, medical director John Bonavita MD, and administrative director Frank Kline came up with the plan to create the school after recognizing the need within the system for ultrasound and vascular technologists.

Many may associate diagnostic imaging and the Crozer name with the School of Radiologic Technology, founded in 1948. "The ultrasound school was a natural extension of the X-ray school, building on Crozer's academic reputation and facilities," said Annunziato. Crozer-Chester Medical Center has also been a clinical training site for Thomas Jefferson University's ultrasound school for the past nine years.

In looking at the resources available through the system and the marketplace as a whole, it was decided that a real opportunity existed for Crozer to take a leadership role in ultrasound education. Ms. Annunziato noted that the school is "very fortunate that Crozer has the resources to provide the students with a quality education, without relying on sites outside of the Crozer-Keystone Health System for clinical training."

Response to the 18-month program has been good. With class size capped at 12, students will receive extra attention in the classroom and greater hands-on experience during the clinical portion of their training.

That is the real advantage that students of the Crozer school will receive; the quality of clinical training. While there are 76 accredited ultrasound schools, many cannot completely control the clinical content on their programs because the clinical study sites are hospitals or imaging centers in outside health networks. For Crozer students, that training will be completed within the radiology department of the Crozer-Keystone Health System. Students will have the opportunity to train and work at:

* Crozer-Chester Medical Center, a 470-bed teaching hospital;

* Delaware County Memorial Hospital, a 313-bed acute care hospital;

* Springfield Hospital, a comprehensive health and wellness center, and acute care hospital;

* Taylor Hospital, a 213-bed community hospital; and

* Taylor Hospital Ambulatory Care, an outpatient imaging center.

"By having Crozer ultrasound students train at multiple Crozer-Keystone facilities," said Dr. Stock, "we can ensure that all students receive a broad exposure to diverse clinical settings during their training."

Qualifications for the program include:

* Graduation from an accredited Allied Health Degree Program with current registration;

* Prior Algebra I and II;

* Prior Biological Science course;

* Prior Anatomy and Physiology course;

* Prior Physics course;

* Prior Cross-Sectional Anatomy course;

* Minimum of two years full-time direct contact patient care;

* Three letters of recommendation;

* Interview with program faculty and/or advisory committee; and

* Good communication skills, verbal and written.

Denenne Paquin is the School's Clinical Instructor. A new employee of Crozer, she brings 11 years of clinical ultrasound experience to the classroom. Paquin notes that the Crozer Ultrasound School represents a "great opportunity for students to become part of a technically exciting and challenging career." Students' coursework will follow guidelines set by the Commis-sion on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and will include didactic and clinical training in:

* Abdomen;

* Obstetrics and Gynecology;

* Small Parts;

* Neurosonography;

* Interventional;

* Vascular;

* Physics;

* Patient Care;

* Medical Ethics and Law;

* Medical Terminology;

* General Pathophysiology; and

* Cross-Sectional anatomy.

Tuition for the 18-month program is $7,000, which includes all books. Satisfactory completion of the class earns the student the opportunity to sit for the National Registry Examination administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonograph-ers (ARDMS).

Crozer-Chester Medical Center located in Upland, Pa., between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Del., is the main hospital site within the Crozer-Keystone Health Sys-tem. To receive and application and information for the ultrasound school, please send your request, including your name, address, home and work phone numbers, to:

Application Request

School of Diagnostic Ultrasound

Crozer-Chester Medical Center

1 Medical Center Boulevard

Upland, PA 19013

Please include a $10.00 check or money order made payable to Crozer School of Diagnostic Ultrasound with your request. *

--By ADVANCE Staff