Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Fort Hays State University’s Allied School of Health recently acquired cutting-edge technology to better prepare students for their chosen careers. FHSU has contributed an additional $75,000 to support this project and its implementation.

At Fort Hays State University, providing students with new technology and training is central to our mission to foster innovation. This new technology will impact multiple areas of medical imaging, including wireless digital plates for whole bodies, radiological imaging manikins, and X-ray machines. In addition, they got his MRI and CT training and simulation software and multiple ultrasound tissue-mimicking phantoms for simulation. Working with phantoms allows real, hands-on learning and allows students to hone their skills before working with live patients.

Allied Health’s radiography unit, the division’s oldest, has been upgraded with new digital capabilities. New simulation training software lets students practice magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) skills in the classroom. This simulation software not only helps students perfect their skills, but also allows online students participating in her MRI certification program in the department to imagine themselves in a clinical environment anywhere in the world. to

Previously, the department had only one radiographic mannequin for practicing imaging techniques. In addition to its age, the older mannequins were limited in their ability to move into certain positions. The new mannequins, arriving later this year, are fully articulated, allowing students to move their limbs, head, and legs just like a real patient. , you can move your body.

Students interested in sonography and the use of ultrasound can now practice on new tissue-mimicking phantoms, including full abdomen models, models for different stages of pregnancy, and models for breast imaging. These phantoms replicate real-world organizations and allow students to practice a variety of scenarios they frequently encounter in the field. For students interested in obstetric imaging, the Phantom mimics a real pregnancy.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, students couldn’t practice without an obstetrical guest patient who was a key tool to carry out their training. By purchasing new technology, students no longer have to rely solely on guest patients to implement their skills. Expanded training tools allow more students to practice in lab courses at once than ever before.

Brenda Hoopingarner, Associate Professor and Chair of the Allied Health Division, said the new equipment will give Fort Hays State University students more hands-on experience on campus and ease their transition into the clinical environment.

“Since students have limited time working in clinical facilities, the use of phantoms and radiographic manikins that mimic these tissues can help students improve the efficiency and speed of learning on campus. ,” Hoopingarner says.

Hoopingarner emphasized that new technology, along with talented faculty and staff, will provide students with a “second-to-none” opportunity at FHSU.

“We want our graduates to have the resources they need to succeed in their degree programs. We step in and make it work,” she says.

FHSU’s Allied Health Division offers several highly competitive on-campus and online programs that train students for careers in medical diagnostic imaging. The technology purchased with this funding will train highly qualified and qualified medical imaging professionals dedicated to the region of northwest Kansas.

Visit fhsu.edu/alliedhealth to learn about the Allied School of Health at Fort Hays State University.