Tag Archive for: #vgccradiography

VGCC Radiography students attend state conference, where instructor receives award

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Second-year students in the Radiography program at Vance-Granville Community College attended the recent annual conference of the North Carolina Society for Radiologic Technologists (NCSRT), Inc., at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord.

While at the conference, VGCC Radiography instructor Lewis Daughtry, Jr., was awarded the NCSRT Imaging Professionals for Excellence Award. At each conference, this award recognizes one professional currently working in North Carolina who has made a significant difference to the imaging profession and in the lives of patients, peers, and the community.

Daughtry was secretly nominated for the award by second-year Radiography students for his dedication to the program and its students. “I was surprised and honored when I found out the nomination came from our students,” Daughtry said. “The faculty of the Radiography program at VGCC have a rigorous curriculum to prepare our students for the national registry. To get a show of appreciation from a group that you are challenging to be the best technologists they can be is humbling.”

A resident of Burlington, Daughtry joined the VGCC Radiography program as an instructor in 2013. He continues to also work as a technologist at UNC Hospitals. Daughtry earned his bachelor’s in radiologic science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s in business administration at Elon University. He is credentialed by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists in Radiography, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

“I enjoy teaching because it is a rewarding way to directly impact my profession,” Daughtry reflected. “The radiography profession gives one limitless opportunities to have a positive impact on patient care, as well as numerous pathways to personal and career growth. I have personally been able to enjoy positions that have ranged from x-ray, MRI, CT, IT, management and teaching, all as a result of having a foundation in diagnostic radiography. Through teaching, I not only give others the opportunity to have a gratifying career in a profession I love, but feel an obligation to give the profession that has been so good to me the best possible technologists to keep the profession strong and continue to elevate patient care.”

“On behalf of the NCSRT, Inc. Board of Directors, I would like to personally thank you for your continued, dedicated service to our profession,” Michelle Walden, a board member and faculty member at Fayetteville Technical Community College, wrote in a message to Daughtry. “You are truly a wonderful role model for your students, peers, colleagues, and friends throughout the profession.”

Also during the conference, VGCC students participated in the Radiography Tech Bowl, a quiz bowl-type event that allows students to test their knowledge of radiography concepts against other schools from throughout the state.

The mission of the NCSRT, Inc., founded in 1939 as the North Carolina Society of X-Ray Technicians, is to give health care professionals the knowledge, resources, and support they need to provide quality patient care. The society works to enhance the delivery of radiologic care and to ensure its safety, quality, and efficiency. NCSRT is an affiliate of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

Based at VGCC’s South Campus between Butner and Creedmoor, the two-year Radiography degree program prepares graduates to be radiographers, skilled health care professionals who use radiation to produce images of the human body. For more information on Radiography, contact Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas at (252) 738-3397.

–VGCC–

VGCC honors Radiography Graduates

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Twenty-two new graduates of Vance-Granville Community College’s two-year Radiography program were honored in a May 8 pinning ceremony in the college’s Civic Center.

The Radiography Class of 2017 included Marlene LaShon Bailey and Anna Tilley, both of Creedmoor; Trevor Houston and Brooke Oakley-Storer, both of Durham; Mary Elizabeth Brewer, Kelsey Paige Hight, Kara Siena Shelton Reese and Madalyne Woods, all of Henderson; Kaitlyn Burton Sumner of Hurdle Mills; Chelsea Jane Flaxcomb and Sabrina Johnson, both of Louisburg; Mary DeAnn Currin, Maricela Carbajal, Kristel L. DeHart and Jonathan Liddane, all of Oxford; Jaime Wilson Lorey of Raleigh; Brittany Michelle Chandler of Roxboro; Morgan Hailey Keith of Stem; James Arnold Lea of Timberlake; Jamisha Danielle Twitty of Warrenton; Taylor Renee Davis and Jennifer Rena Rhodes, both of Youngsville.

In welcoming remarks, VGCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Angela Ballentine congratulated the graduates and, as a colleague in the field of radiologic technology, former instructor and former program head, welcomed them to the imaging profession. She shared some information about the diverse class, noting that nine graduates had been raising children during their studies, 17 had earned Dean’s List or President’s List honors, and seven already held college degrees or diplomas in other fields.

Ballentine expressed best wishes to at least 14 graduates who are planning to continue their education in specialty fields such as CT, MRI, mammography and nuclear medicine. She also thanked the faculty and staff who had “educated, inspired and supported these students.”

Jamisha Twitty was recognized with the Academic Achievement Award for having the highest GPA in the class. Anna Tilley received the Mallinckrodt Award for outstanding clinical performance. James Lea received the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) Student Award of Excellence.

The students voted for Deborah T. Gilliam of EmergeOrtho (formerly Triangle Orthopaedics) as the top technologist at the clinical sites in which they received their 900 hours of practical training, while Lindsey Hinkle of the Durham V.A. Medical Center received the JRCERT Award of Excellence for Clinical Educators. Both are VGCC alumni. The Clinical Affiliate Award of Excellence went to the Durham V.A. Medical Center.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Anthony Kidd, chief therapist/manager of Radiation Oncology at Maria Parham Health. Kidd is an alumnus of the VGCC Radiography program. “I think back now to how important Vance-Granville has been to me for my life and my career,” Kidd reflected. He expressed his pride in the graduates. “You have worked hard and made some personal sacrifices,” Kidd told them. “It was well worth it, because now, you have a degree, a trade, a profession, and no matter where you go or what you do, that stays with you.” He thanked the instructors for their dedication to the students, the college and the imaging profession.

Kidd offered a description of the characteristics of radiologic technologists, saying that they were creative, problem-solvers, skilled at time management and compassionate. “We’re not only artists, but through our art, we save lives,” he said of radiographers. “Our profession means a lot to me. We are key parts of any hospital. Doctors can’t doctor and nurses can’t nurse effectively until you have done your job.”

As class president, Jamisha Twitty gave a response on behalf of her classmates. She thanked the Radiography instructors for their wisdom and patience. She and other class officers surprised faculty members Angela Thomas, Stacey Soles, Anthony Twisdale and Lewis Daughtry with gifts from the class to show their appreciation. Twitty also expressed appreciation to her classmates and to the graduates’ “families and friends who have supported us from day one and sacrificed to ensure we stay on the path to success.” To them, she said, “This has been a shared victory.”

Lori Wiggins, a member of the Radiography Class of 2018 and vice president of the Radiography Club, thanked the senior students for their support and particularly recognized Twitty for encouraging the junior students.

Graduates received pins from Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas and recited the Radiographer’s pledge as the ceremonies concluded.

–VGCC–

VGCC Radiography students and educators attend conference

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Several students and faculty members from the Vance-Granville Community College Radiography program attended the 20th West Coast Educators Council (WCEC) of Radiologic Technologists Student-Educator-Radiographer Seminar, held March 7-10 in Orlando, Florida.

The annual conference is attended by over 1,000 students and educators in the Radiography field from all over the country. This year, 26 of the 50 states were represented.

While at WCEC, the VGCC Radiography students were able to meet imaging professionals who have written or contributed to the textbooks which the students currently use. The students also attended classes relevant to their major and were able to take a mock registry examination, which simulates the exam that all Registered Radiographers are required to take in order to obtain their registry upon completion of a two-year associate degree program. “The average score for the mock registry is around 65 percent, and the VGCC students scored within this range, indicating that they are on target for Registry success following graduation,” explained VGCC Clinical Coordinator/instructor Stacey Soles.

Students Mary Beth Brewer and Trevor Houston, both of Durham, and Jonathan Liddane of Oxford participated, along with their peers from across the country, in the “Student Bee,” with Brewer advancing to the second round. Only three students per program could compete in the Student Bee, a fun competition that tests participants’ knowledge of radiologic technology.

Additional topics of study during the conference for students included “Inside the NFL,” “The Role of Forensic Radiography in Peru,” “Sectional Anatomy,” “Technique 101: Getting Back to the Basics” and “Mastering Digital Radiography.” “’Inside the NFL’ gave insight into the role of Radiographers in sports,” Soles said. “Not only can Radiographers work in hospital and health-care settings, but they can be part of an NFL team!”

The other faculty member from the college in attendance was VGCC Dean of Health Sciences (and radiographer) Angela Thomas, who gave a well-received presentation to educators from many other states, entitled “Crucial Conversations.”

Based at VGCC’s South Campus between Butner and Creedmoor, the two-year Radiography degree program prepares graduates to be radiographers, skilled health care professionals who use radiation to produce images of the human body. For more information on Radiography, contact Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas at (252) 738-3397.

–VGCC–