The radiology department received new fluoroscopy and X-ray equipment for their students to operate before using them in the field.
This equipment and the new rooms inside the Victor F. Spathelf Center for Allied Health closely resemble radiology equipment used in hospitals. Students will be able to get hands-on experience, understand how these machines work and learn how to operate them before they enter the field.
Through Perkins grants and funding, the Dean of the Radiology Department Dr. Lincoln Gibbs procured the equipment for the College of Health Professions at Ferris.
Radiology instructor Gary Moore discussed the importance of this equipment for students in the radiology department.
“The ability to train the students on the type of equipment that’s actually out there and that they’re gonna be using, I mean that to me is so important because the technology with digital imaging has changed quite a bit,” Moore said. “In a nutshell, they’re gonna get used to some of the technology and see a lot of things that when they get to in the field that they’re also gonna be utilizing.”
Moore explained how each piece of equipment works and the purposes that they serve in teaching his students.
The fluoroscopy equipment allows for high-resolution imaging, multiple fluoroscopy modes and smart metal technology to enhance diagnostic accuracy and procedural efficiency. These machines are commonly used in orthopedic surgery, vascular procedures, cardiac interventions, pain management and general surgery.
Radiology junior Alivia Lis talked about her thoughts and feelings on receiving the new equipment.
“Fluoroscopy is ongoing. It’s like surgical radiology. The radiation is constant because you’re trying to see what’s going on as the surgery is happening,” Lis said. “We haven’t gotten to experience what that’s exactly like yet, so I’m excited for it.”
Another piece of equipment is the new mobile X-ray. Mobile X-ray units are utilized throughout the hospital. They are perfect when the patient cannot come directly to places like the ICU and emergency rooms. They are mainly used to examine the chest and abdominal area but are also used for the hip, pelvis, spine, extremities and other regions.
With this new equipment, students will learn to engage in classwork related to their field and practice real-world scenarios. This way, students can interact with and learn how to operate the equipment and when the time comes to enter their field, they’ll know what to do.
Radiography sophomore Delaney Dessellier shared her perspective about the new equipment.
“I was so excited because there’s so much room to grow within the radiology department, the fluoroscopy room is next level,” Dessellier said. “I know there’s a lot of stuff that’s different. I think that a lot of us will be working in this room and I think it will benefit us so much when we get into the field. It’s like having a step up.”
Each radiology student will have to go through clinical before entering their respective field. A clinical is where a radiology student will experience a whole year working in a hospital as a radiology technologist. However, they need to get certified in view or an exam first. The students will choose up to five sites they prefer. They will have a clinical instructor monitor their progress and their professors and clinical coordinator will go through and pick which site will be best for them.
The equipment will give students some much-needed experience and boost their skills.
“It’s just super exciting to be able to teach the students on the latest and greatest technology,” Moore said. “I just feel like I’m a kid on Christmas morning opening up some brand new toys to play with them and that’s pretty cool.”
Construction for the new fluoroscopy room is set to be finished by the beginning of May 2025.