United Hospital Center School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography has Graduation Ceremony
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on November 27, 2024
WVU Medicine United Hospital Center (UHC) School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography held a commencement ceremony for the 2024 graduates. Diplomas were presented to Autumn Hutzell and Madison Westfall, by Program Director, Micah Ford and Clinical Coordinator, Miranda Buckhannon at noon on Friday, Nov. 22.
Hutzell is registered in abdominal sonography and will be employed as a sonographer at the new Elkins Corridor Medical Center, as an OB/GYN sonographer. Westfall is registered in obstetrics and gynecology sonography and will be employed as a sonographer at UHC.
These students have passed the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Examination administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, a prerequisite to obtaining sonography credentials
.“Both of these students have proven themselves as dedicated, hardworking, and passionate individuals, who are well prepared for their new profession,” Ford said. “We are so proud of this graduating class and their achievement, as these new sonographers go on to make a difference in the future of health care in West Virginia and beyond.”
To satisfy the demand for diagnostic medical sonographers regionally and nationally, UHC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program was opened in July of 2000. The program is designed as an advanced discipline of study for graduates of accredited educational programs in Radiologic Technology. UHC is one of only two hospitals in West Virginia offering hospital-based sonography training in OB/GYN, abdomen, and vascular sonography.
UHC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is 18 months long, beginning each year in July. The program incorporates clinical and didactic experiences to prepare individuals for professional abdomen, vascular, obstetric, and gynecologic sonography. Students participate in 40 hours of didactic and clinical education on Mondays through Fridays.
The Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abdomen-Extended, and Vascular DMS Program at UHC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). For more information concerning the UHCSchool of Diagnostic Medical Sonographyplease visit
Editor’s Note: In photo courtesy of UHC, Pictured from left: Clinical Coordinator, Miranda Buckhannon; Graduate, Autumn Hutzell; Graduate, Madison Westfall; and Program Director, Micah Ford.
