Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, the Department of Allied Health at Fort Hays State University recently acquired cutting-edge technology that will better prepare students for their chosen careers. FHSU committed an additional $75,000 in support of this project and its implementation.
At Fort Hays State University, providing students with emerging technology and training is central to its mission to foster innovation. The new technology impacts multiple areas of medical imaging and includes a full body, radiologic imaging mannequin, and a wireless digital plate for radiographic equipment. In addition, they have achieved MRI and CT training and simulation programs and multiple tissue-mimicking sonographic phantoms for simulation. Phantom work provides real-life, hands-on learning and allows students to hone their skills before working with live patients.
Allied Health’s oldest X-ray unit in the department was upgraded to include newer digital capabilities. New simulation training software allows students to practice Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) skills in the classroom. In addition to helping students hone their skills, this simulation software allows online students participating in the department’s MRI certificate program to imagine they are in a clinical setting anywhere in the world.
Previously, the department had only one x-ray manikin to practice imaging technology, which began to deteriorate due to wear and tear. In addition to age, the old mannequin was limited in its ability to move in certain positions. The new mannequin, which will arrive later this year, will be fully articulated allowing students to move their limbs, head and body like a real patient.
Students interested in working with sonography or ultrasound can now practice the new tissue-mimicking phantoms, which include a full abdominal model, models for different stages of pregnancy and for breast imaging. These phantoms replicate real tissue and allow students to practice a variety of scenarios often encountered in the field. For students interested in obstetric imaging, phantoms mimic real pregnancies.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, students were unable to practice without obstetrics guest patients, a critical tool to execute their training. By acquiring new technology, students no longer need to rely solely on guest patients to practice their skills. The expansion of training tools also allows more students in laboratory courses to practice at one time than ever before.
Brenda Hoopingarner, associate professor and chair of the department of allied health, says the new equipment will allow Fort Hays State University students to gain more real-life experience on campus, making the transition to the clinical setting.
“With students having limited time working in a clinical setting, these tissue-mimicking phantoms and radiographic mannequins allow students to increase their efficiency and speed in learning here on campus,” says Hoopingarner.
Hoopingarner emphasized that the new technology, in addition to the talented faculty and staff, offers students a “second to none” opportunity at FHSU.
“We want our graduates to come in and have the essential resources to succeed in their degree program. Our training and equipment will make them more successful so that when they enter the field after graduation, they will be able to enter and function as a graduate,” she says.
The Department of Allied Health at FHSU offers several highly competitive on-campus and online programs that train students for careers in diagnostic medical imaging. The technology purchased with this funding will prepare highly skilled and credentialed medical imaging professionals who are dedicated to the Northwest Kansas region.
Visit fhsu.edu/alliedhealth to learn about the Department of Allied Health at Fort Hays State University.
