Memorial, PPCC collaborate on new degree program

Options and flexibility benefit students, and now students interested in medical radiology have an improved opportunity to earn a two-year degree through a collaboration between Pikes Peak Community College’s heath programs and Memorial Health System’s radiology department.

The two entities signed an agreement in late August that took three years to develop. It allows students to take pre-requisites at PPCC for admission into the Memorial radiology program.

If accepted and successfully completed, the student earns an Associate of Applied Science degree in radiologic technology from PPCC and can seek employment as radiographers.

It’s the only program in Colorado Springs, but there are five options for radiology associate’s degrees in Denver and one in Pueblo.

The Memorial program remains independent and maintains its high number of clinical hours and competitive application process: Only 18 students are selected each year for the program because of the number of clinical sites available for training and because Memorial doesn’t want to flood the market.

Study in the first year generally focuses on x-rays, but in the second year students are exposed to other methods including CAT scans and magnetic resonance imaging.

Since students are taking pre-requisites at a nationally accredited school, they will have greater flexibility to pursue higher degrees. Memorial’s credits generally did not transfer if a student pursued a bachelor’s degree.

“Collaborative partnerships is the way to go,” said Mary Ann Wermers, dean of health and sciences at PPCC. “Competition is decreasing as people find ways to work together.”

Collaboration has long been an aspect of the Memorial radiology degree program, which started in 1969. About 10 years ago, Memorial started teaching students in the program at Penrose Main as well as Memorial clinical sites.

Wermers said the collaboration between PPCC and Memorial grew out of Memorial’s desire to have a program that made it easier for students to continue toward a bachelor’s degree. PPCC, meanwhile, wanted a radiology program with national accreditation.

The two entities hope to add University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to the team, possibly by the end of the year.

What makes this collaboration unique is the transfer of credits from the Memorial program back to PPCC. It was also a creative way to offer an improved degree to the community without adding costs in challenging economic times.

“It’s very expensive to run health programs,” Wermers said. PPCC couldn’t afford to set up a radiology program with the constantly evolving equipment, she said. It didn’t make sense to start their own when there is a successful local program through Memorial Health System.

“We both recognized that you get a stronger program,” she said.

Elaine Ivan, program manager for Memorial’s radiology school, said the program is known for graduating competent radiographers. In the past, all graduates have found work, but in the current economic climate some graduates are waiting longer to find a job, Ivan said.

Despite the economy, growth of about 17 percent is expected for the industry, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics.

Students range in age from 18 to 52, Ivan said. The two-year degree attracts different kinds of people, including military members and those who have lost their jobs. The two-year program is relatively quick in yielding a decent-paying job at about $21 an hour.

“It’s been a real good fit for the community,” Ivan said.

Memorial’s program — significantly subsidized by the hospital — is known for the many hours of clinical work, which grants students more experience. Ivan said it’s almost an apprenticeship to learn the necessary skills, including how to work with patients.

“We’re not making widgets, we’re dealing with human beings,” Ivan said.

—
Contact the writer at 636-0162.