Weber State radiology department gifted trio of cardiac ultrasound machines from Intermountain
Photo supplied, Weber State University
Intermountain Healthcare donated cardiac ultrasound equipment to the School of Radiologic Sciences at Weber State University on May 3, 2022. Pictured are Stephanie Nay, center, and Windi Jones, right, of the Intermountain Heart Institute along with, from left, radiology faculty Ambree Penrod, Tanya Nolan and Robert Walker.OGDEN — Radiology training just got better at Weber State University, thanks to a donation of high-end ultrasound machines.
Earlier this month, Intermountain Healthcare donated three cardiac ultrasound machines to the university’s School of Radiologic Sciences. The machines have the capability of viewing the anatomy of the heart and vascular system in great detail.
“Our jaws were just dropping open as they brought these machines in,” said Tanya Nolan, professor of radiologic sciences at WSU. “This will allow our students to be even more prepared to step out of the educational system and into the workforce almost immediately. We are just so grateful.”
The machines, worth approximately $200,000 apiece, have the ability to look at the cardiovascular system in real time using 2D, 3D and color technology, said Stephanie Nay, Intermountain Medical Center cardiovascular imaging director.
“Rather than dispose of the machines we were replacing, we were looking for a way to repurpose them,” Nay said. “Weber State University has one of the main programs that offer a cardiac imaging specialty, so it was a win-win situation.”
Nay said that when she was a college student, she didn’t have access to such technology, but instead learned the old fashioned way.
“Now they have a hands-on opportunity right there on campus,” she said. “It’s all about looking to the future and preparing the next generation of health care workers and giving them opportunities that are similar to what they will see in the job place.”
Nolan said the equipment came with different probes that are specific to viewing each part of the body. Not only will students be able to look at the cardiovascular system, they’ll also be able to look inside the abdomen as well as gynecological systems.
“These machines have all the bells and whistles attached and have allowed us a whole new world of opportunity,” she said. “Now, instead of learning in an abstract manner, the students can see more complicated pathology in real time which will only make us that much better.”