History
Technologist Imaging Education At the University
About University Health Care
Improving Quality of LifeTo serve the public by improving health and quality of life is our mission at University Health Care. We accomplish this with our commitment to excellence in education, research and clinical care.
One of America's BestOver the years, our reputation of excellence has grown throughout the Intermountain West and beyond as we have been recognized as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for the 13th year and counting.
Quality CareWe at University Health Care believe in going the extra mile to impact our city, state, region and world. This philosophy translates in many ways. It's a nurse saying, "I have some extra time, is there anything else I can do for you."
It's a doctor taking one more look at a MRI, X-Ray or CT scan before ending a long day - just to make sure nothing has slipped by. We provide compassionate, state-of-the art clinical care to our patients.
Excellence in AcademicsThe extra mile is a professor insisting that students get it exactly right because some day it might make the difference between life and death. We educate competent, caring practitioners, educators and scientists for the state of Utah and beyond.
Radiology Ranked No. 1The University of Utah School of Medicine's residency program in diagnostic radiology for radiologists consistently continues its reputation of excellence. It was rated No. 1 among 190 programs in the United States and Canada for the six-year period 2000-2006, according to the rankings by the American Board of Radiology.
Respected ResearchIt's a professor spending endless hours searching for the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow. We advance knowledge through innovative basic and clinical research and scholarship and translate our discoveries into applications that help people.
Mission and Goals
MissionThe University Health Care supports the mission and vision of the University of Utah and serves the public by improving health and quality of life through excellence in education, research, and clinical care.
- We educate competent and caring practitioners, educators, and scientists for the state of Utah and beyond.
- We advance knowledge through innovative basic and clinical research and scholarship and translate our discoveries into applications that help people.
- We provide compassionate, state-of-the art clinical care to our patients.
- We anticipate and respond to the needs of our communities through outreach, advocacy, and service.
A health care center distinguished by excellence, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Values- Compassion
- Collaboration
- Diversity
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Excellence
About Technologist Imaging Education
The mission and goals of Technologist Imaging Education is in parallel alliance with the philosophy, mission and goals of University Health Care. The educational programs and academic partnerships have a long, excellent reputation. We go the extra mile for our students and we educate competent and caring technologists.
MissionTo provide high quality entry level educational programs in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computerized Tomography, Nuclear Medicine and Mammography that educates competent technologists to the meet the needs of the University Health Care and the community. To develop academic partnerships with institutions that needs the expertise of the University Health Care for clinical education.
ObjectivesThe main objectives of the programs and partnerships is to educate students to perform the duties and responsibilities of an entry-level technologist and produce graduates that will successfully pass certification examinations.
Program Goals- Ensure that 100% of program graduates have completed clinical experience requirements as specified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
- Graduate competent entry level technologists who are effective communicators, problem solvers and critical thinkers.
- Graduate students who are satisfied with their educational experience and feel that it was beneficial to their professional development and growth.
History of Technologist Imaging Education At the University of Utah, Department of Radiology
1942-65
The University Hospital, Department of Radiology has been directly involved with educating radiologic technologists since the days of the Salt Lake County General Hospital. Located five miles from the University campus of today, it was the clinical arm of the medical school from 1942-1965. During this time, radiographers, better known as x-ray technicians were mostly educated with on the job training and a few classes. MRI and CT scans were still a research project and images were still processed by hand in many departments.
1965
The goal of having a unified medical school and teaching hospital was realized in 1965 with the opening of the seven-story, 500,000 square-feet U Medical Center. During this time, the School of Radiologic Technology was formed and started to accept students. Formal classes were held and the students did clinical training at the University Medical Center. Informal transcripts dated back to the late 1960’s. Formal student records are on file for students graduating in the early 1970’s under the direction of Mr. Pete Bartolazzi and Mr. James Blagg.
1970’s
In 1972, Dr. David Bragg became the Chairman for the Department of Radiology and started his 25 year legacy to the commitment of education in Radiology. Education was Dr. Bragg’s passion that included medical students, residents and technologists.
In the late 1970’s, Mr. Bill Duncan, an angiography technologist was appointed program director for the School of Radiology and a program in nuclear medicine was started under the direction of Paul Christian. Bill was very dedicated and passionate about teaching and his knowledge of physics and technique were invaluable to students. Both programs became accredited by the Joint Review Committee and they sent students to the VA Medical Center in addition to the University Hospital for clinical training.
In 1978, a new position of Clinical Coordinator was developed for the radiology program and Marlene Bogaard from Chicago, Ill. was hired. Marlene and Bill split the teaching load and other student responsibilities. Student capacity was increased and a formal competency system was developed.
1980’s
During the 1980’s the place to learn and work in radiology was the University of Utah! Dr. Bragg’s support of education continued and he managed a very professional, high quality department. In addition to working hard, the radiology department played well together. They had a softball team that was unbeatable except by surgery and Dr Bragg would treat the entire department at Christmas time to a holiday party at the Fort Douglas Officers Club.
On September 22, 1981, the new, earthquake proof, University Hospital was opened. Patients were moved across glassed-in bridges connecting the original medical center with the new $43 million University Hospital. This project added more than 420,000 square feet to the medical complex. To avoid competing with community hospitals, University Hospital concentrated on tertiary care, burns, trauma, and transplants the medicine of the future.
The students and faculty of the School of Radiologic Technology moved their classroom from an old army barracks in Fort Douglas to the basement of the new hospital in the radiation therapy department.
In the mid 1980’s, Bill Duncan left the program and Marlene Bogaard assumed the position of program director. Ralph Wieben was hired as clinical coordinator and the program continued its accreditation and excellent reputation of educating quality radiologic technologists.
During the later 80’s the radiology field experienced a shortage of radiographers and many hospitals and medical institutions wanted to join the educational forces of the University in educating students. St. Mark’s Hospital had a radiology program and when they stopped accepting students, they affiliated with the University.
By the late 1980’s, the University was recognized as a strong force in radiology education. A minimum of 20 students were accepted each year and the students completed clinical education at the University Hospital, VA, St. Mark’s, Salt Lake Clinic, Alta View, Cottonwood, LDS, Pioneer Valley, Jordan Valley and Tooele. It was time for the program to become approved by the Board of Regents and recognized as a degree granting program. The University radiology program was hospital based and granted certificates of completion from 1960-1991. It is estimated that nearly 225 radiographers graduated with a certificate of completion from the University of Utah School of Radiologic Technology.
In the late 1980’s, as the program was getting ready for a major change, the student's and the faculty moved back to an old Army barrack in Fort Douglas. Ralph Wieben resigned his role of clinical coordinator and Ms. Lisa Wood was hired in 1988.
1990's
In 1990, a formal proposal for an Associate of Applied Science degree in radiologic technology was developed by Marlene Tucker (Bogaard). She brought the proposal to the Salt Lake Community College and they were interested and willing to support the idea. Ms. Tucker submitted the proposal to the Board of Regents and fought hard for its approval. She felt that the academic future of the radiology program belonged within the Utah higher education system and the role of University radiology was to continue educating technologists in clinical education.
Since Weber State was granted the exclusive role in Allied Health Education and was the only radiology program recognized by the state, the proposal was fought with much resistance. In the end, the program was approved and after nearly 30 years of teaching radiology to technicians, that formal academic role was turned over to Salt Lake Community College. Ms. Tucker went to SLCC with the program as director and Ms. Lisa Wood as clinical coordinator. The program continues to be very successful at SLCC with JRCERT program accreditation and a wait list for admission. The University continues to provide quality clinical education to the radiology students.
In 1996, Dr. David Bragg retired from the University and a new team of radiologists took over the chairmanship, Dr. William Orrison (Chairman) and Dr. E.A. "Steve" Stevens (Vice Chairman).
New Era – 2000’s
Soon after the millennium, the Department of Radiology found its new natural leader when Dr. Steve Stevens became the Chairman. Dr. Stevens is a true educator and the finest of leaders. People flourish under his direction and the department soon took on a new direction. New radiologists were recruited, new equipment was purchased, new relationships were formed and the department was rejuvenated. It once again was becoming the place where students wanted to learn and practice radiography.
New growth, technology explosion and salary competition brought a shortage of technologists in the advanced areas. In January 2004, Marlene Johnson returned to the department after directing the program at SLCC for 13 years to create new opportunities in technologist education. The department of radiology had a 20% vacancy rate in their imaging areas due to a shortage of qualified technologists. Adding to the shortage was the department’s growth and the addition of a new hospital, the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. Within two years, a new educational system was developed and successfully recruiting students to study in the advanced imaging areas of nuclear medicine, CT, MRI and mammography. Today, there are students in every area of radiology. The Radiology department is back into the business of educating technologists on a new and more exciting level.
Future
Education will always be a part of the department’s mission on every level. There are many exciting plans for the future in regards to education. Joint ventures with Siemens Medical, development of E-learning courses, more hybrid education and strong student-centered educational programs.
