More than 40 complete Sonography program

Hanceville, AL — More than 40 students were recognized Thursday at the pinning ceremony for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Wallace State Community College. The program pinned 17 students completing its Cardiovascular pathway and 24 from its Abdomen/Obstetrics pathways.

In marking their accomplishment, it was noted that more than 30 of the students passed certification exams and that almost all the students have secured employment in their field before graduating.

Program director April Sutherland described the Class of 2023 as determined.

“I feel you all can kind of resonate with that word, because that’s something each and every one of you have in common,” she said. “You’ve been determined to make it through an extremely difficult program.

“It's a huge accomplishment to be receiving this tiny little pin that we’re going to give you,” Sutherland added. “Because what this pin signifies is your ability to push through. To push through 1,050 hours of clinic where you helped your first patient. The pin represents all the lectures, all the studying…and no matter how hard you may try to forget, this pin represents that you took and passed acoustic physics.

“But while this pin does indicate successful competition it does not the indicate the end,” Sutherland continued. “It means that you have made it to the beginning. The beginning of a career in healthcare, a career that will help you provide for yourself, provide for your family while taking care of others. This pin means that you have earned the right to be called a sonographer.”

Clinical Coordinator Jorden Flack used a little fortune cookie wisdom in her address to the students.

“A few weeks ago, I opened a fortune cookie that said there’s no education like adversity,” she said. “A lot of you have already faced adversity in your life. Some of you have experienced extreme adversity in this program. And the future will always hold adversity, but as long as you continue to have an open mind and learn from that adversity, there’s no doubt you all will be fantastic, life-saving sonographers.”

Emily Crowe, president of the Abdomen/OB class, echoed the sentiments of Sutherland and Flack in her address to her classmates.

“So much hard work and determination has gotten us to where we are today,” said Crowe, of Helena. “What was once a dream is now a dream come true. We’ve invested our hearts in this challenge and had some fun along the way, but the road to success was definitely not an easy one. It never is. We overcame sharp turns and steep hills, but we never gave up. You should all be proud of yourselves.”

Using a favorite quote, Crowe ended her speech reminding her classmates the journey was worth it. “Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but it’s everything in between that makes it all worth living,” she said.

Sam Almon of Florence, the president of the Cardiovascular class said, “I know that sometimes it got difficult and sometimes it may have seemed impossible, but I think looking back none of us would change the difficulty of the program.”

Awards were presented to several students near the conclusion of the ceremony.

From the Cardiovascular class, Trudeau Livaudais of Tuscaloosa was presented the Clinical Excellence Award and Emma Barker of Jasper was named the Valedictorian.

From the Abdomen/OB class, Hannah Ashley of Cullman was presented with the Clinical Excellence Award and Emily Cheatwood of Cullman was named the Valedictorian. Additionally, Katie Goolsby of Lakeview and Carys Stubbs of Pelham received Clinical Excellence Awards from UAB, one of the program’s clinical sites.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Wallace State offers pathways in Abdomen/Vascular, Obstetrics, and Cardiovascular. The program accepts applications for entry each fall from March 1 to June 1. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu/Sonography.

Registration for the Spring 2024 semester is currently underway, with classes beginning Jan. 8 for regular and Mini Term I and March 6 for Mini Term II. Registration for Flex Start I courses will be held Jan. 13-19, with classes starting Jan. 15 and registration for Flex Start II courses will be held Jan. 20-26, with classes starting Jan. 22. Visit www.wallacestate.edu/register-now to apply and register for classes.

Trudeau Livaudais of Tuscaloosa was presented the Clinical Excellence Award for the Cardiovascular cohort from Wallace State Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Coordinator Jorden Flack.

Emma Barker of Jasper was presented the Valedictorian award for the Cardiovascular cohort from Wallace State Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Coordinator Jorden Flack.

Hannah Ashley of Cullman was presented with the Clinical Excellence Award for the Abdomen/OB class from Wallace State Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Coordinator Sara Muncher.

Emily Cheatwood of Cullman was presented the Valedictorian award for the Abdomen/OB class from Wallace State Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Coordinator Sara Muncher.

Katie Goolsby, left, of Lakeview and Carys Stubbs of Pelham received Clinical Excellence Awards from UAB, one of the clinical sites for the Wallace State Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.