News about Radiography

Emergency Scenarios Translate to Real-Life Benefit for Students

Occupational therapy assistant student Rachel N. Zimmerman, of Pine Grove, shows physician assistant student Zachary S. Kimble, of Bellefonte (acting as a hip-replacement patient who later in the simulation would have a stroke) and other students watching how to use a “reacher” to help with dressing. Observing is Christine A. Tilburg, clinical director of physical therapist assistant.

Emergency medical services student Ian P. McClure, of Littlestown, and paramedic technician student Megan E. Bobby, of Dysart, explain the actions they would take when called to the Dental Hygiene Clinic to help a patient experiencing an allergic reaction to Novocain.

Surgical technology students simulate a laparoscopic gall bladder removal.

Around 250 students in the School of Health Sciences – an academic division that spans 11 distinct health care and allied health fields – are participating this week in a series of hands-on emergency health simulations. The school’s fourth annual Interdisciplinary Professional Event involves 24 student teams, each made up of a cross section of health disciplines, discussing and observing one another’s role in their assigned case. Students in the physician assistant major played roles of patients, whose health problems ranged from an allergic reaction to Novocain in the Dental Hygiene Clinic to a loss of consciousness in the Keystone Dining Room, and surgeries to replace hips and remove gallbladders. As “patients” moved through the health care system, they moved, with their observers, from lab to lab in the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center. The purpose of the experience is to prepare the students to deliberatively work together as patients interact with each of them during their health care experience, with an ultimate goal to improve patient care. Also involved were 23 staff and faculty from the school, who planned and managed the event and led groups through their simulations on Tuesday and Thursday.

Kohler Named Director of Radiography at Penn College

Regis C. Kohler

Pennsylvania College of Technology has appointed Regis C. Kohler, of Montoursville, to lead the college’s radiography program.

Kohler began his employment with the college as clinical coordinator of radiography in 1987. He then served as an associate professor in the program for 26 years, from 1990 until his appointment to director in 2016.

“We are pleased that Regis has accepted this position as director of the radiography program,” said Gerri F. Luke, dean of business and hospitality. “His appointment has been very warmly received by students and alumni, as well as our affiliated hospital representatives. We are very confident his vast experience, professionalism and knowledge will provide exceptional leadership for the program.”

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Agreements Clear Path for Students to Pursue Additional Degrees

Pennsylvania College of Technology recently approved articulation agreements with several other institutions to ease students’ pathways to further education.

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Health Sciences Students Learn From One Another in Simulations

During a three-day set of emergency simulations that involved 320 Penn College students, Timothy F. Schwartzer (in hat), an emergency medical services student from Bensalem, explains to students in other health sciences majors how paramedics would begin treatment for a patient – played by a volunteer actor – who had fallen from a second-floor balcony.

Because a patient experiencing a health emergency will likely be cared for by many health care professionals with differing specialties, Pennsylvania College of Technology has taken an active approach to ensure that students understand the roles and collaboration necessary on a health care team.

The college’s School of Health Sciences took part in two recent events that involved more than 400 students in mock patient cases on its campus.

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Students Selected as Interns at State Professional Society Gathering

Penn College radiography students Jessica L. Reed (left) of South Williamsport, and Abigail M. Hricko, of Nicholson, were selected to serve as interns for the Pennsylvania Society of Radiologic Technologists annual meeting.

Two students majoring in radiography at Pennsylvania College of Technology were among six from across the state selected to serve as interns for the Pennsylvania Society of Radiologic Technologists annual meeting in Wilkes-Barre.

As interns, Abigail M. Hricko, of Nicholson, and Jessica L. Reed, of South Williamsport, shadowed the society’s board of directors members throughout the two-day meeting, helping to run event registration, introducing speakers and keeping time for speaker presentations. Alongside their mentors, they attended the society’s executive board meeting, at which they were encouraged to give input from the student perspective.

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Medical Imaging Club’s Toy Collection Brightens Holidays

Medical Imaging Club collects Toys for Tots.

As part of its community service, Penn College’s Medical Imaging Club collected for Toys for Tots for the second straight year.  According to Karen L. Plankenhorn, interim clinical director for radiography, the group put boxes across campus – the Hager Lifelong Education Center, Madigan Library, Bush Campus Center and the Medical Imaging classroom – in hopes of bringing a brighter Christmas to local children.
Photo by Karen L. Plankenhorn

Radiography Students Hold Their Own in ‘Technibowl’ Competition

Penn College radiography students compete at Hershey

Radiography students recently attended a “Technibowl” competition at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, competing with similar schools in the immediate area (Geisinger Medical Center, Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences, College of Misericordia, Penn State and the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences). Two-student teams from all schools participated in three rounds of 30 board certification-style questions, with points earned for each correct answer. Penn State claimed the top three places. While students from each school were at different points in their education – Penn College students won’t graduate for nearly a year after some of their competitors – Jessica L. Reed, of South Williamsport, and Aaron R. Curry, of Hamburg, finished just out of third place. Georgia T. Grey, clinical supervisor, and Karen L. Plankenhorn, interim clinical director, chaperoned the group.
Photo by Karen L. Plankenhorn

Students Observe National Radiologic Technology Week

Students enrolled in the radiography major at Penn College gather for a photo to celebrate National Radiographic Technology Week, which celebrates the profession and the discovery¬ – on Nov. 8, 1895 – of the X-ray by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen. The students made educational posters for display in area hospitals, where they complete clinical rotations.

Students studying radiography at Pennsylvania College of Technology, along with the radiography program faculty and staff and the college’s Medical Imaging Club, are celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week Nov. 8-14.

Students developed educational posters for display during the week at hospitals where they perform clinical rotations.

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Students Read Body Language of Artists’ Inner Vision

From the radiography lab to the art gallery, students enjoy an inspired view of inner workings. From left: Nicole L. Brungard, Conor D. Flynn, Danielle J. Shindledecker and Taylor E. Hoffman.

Exploring the heart of the matter

Student gallery assistant Ainsley R. Bennett (appropriately gloved for the task) offers the students a glimpse of the original X-ray on the back of one of the abstract pieces.

Shindledecker inspects an artistic interpretation of a cranial scan.

A full-bodied look at radiography rock stars! From left are Flynn, Hoffman, Brungard and Shindledecker.

“We see X-rays all the time, but I never thought someone would take one and make art out of it,” said Danielle J. Shindledecker on a Tuesday visit to The Gallery at Penn College. The Fairfield resident was joined by three other students enrolled in applied health studies: radiography concentration on an outing to see “A View Within,” an exhibit blending medical technology and fiber art. Nicole L. Brungard, of Jersey Shore; Conor D. Flynn, Williamsport; and Taylor E. Hoffman, Marietta, also took in the artistic interpretations of body images captured by CT scans, MRIs, X-rays and ultrasounds. The two-person show offers realistic and abstract translations of the same body images, and the students said they enjoyed seeing the different perspectives of the artists’ visions. “This exhibit is entitled ‘A View Within.’ which is a perfect fit with our upcoming Radiologic Technology Week (Nov. 8-14) theme of ‘Discovering the Inside Story,'” said Karen L. Plankenhorn, interim clinical director for radiography. The exhibit runs through Nov. 1 on the third floor of Madigan Library.

Awash in Pink, Radiography Seniors Heighten Awareness

Joining students in the classroom photo-op are Lauren E. Reed (standing at left), clinical supervisor; Georgia T. Grey (standing at right), clinical supervisor; and Plankenhorn (standing, second from right).

Seniors in the School of Health Sciences’ radiography major were encouraged to dress for a “Pink Out” during their Pediatric and Trauma Radiography class this week. “I teach the class, but also teach Mammography,” said Karen L. Plankenhorn, interim clinical director, “so I try to incorporate breast-cancer awareness during the month of October.”
Photo by Cletus G. Waldman Jr., interim director of radiography

Diagnosis: Future – Campers Examine Potential Health Careers

Bambi A. Hawkins, learning laboratory coordinator for the paramedic program, shows a camper proper hand placement to create a “seal” when using a bag valve mask to provide oxygen.

An important part of a fitness assessment, campers record one another’s blood pressure in the exercise science major.

A camper uses a laparoscopic camera and surgical tools in the surgical technology lab.

With assistance from a Penn College student, a camper positions radiographic equipment as she prepares to X-ray her smartphone.

A camper shows the results of her work in the dental hygiene lab: a model of her teeth.

Penn College’s School of Health Sciences was the destination for 30 high schoolers attending Health Careers Camp, a joint, two-day program of the college and Susquehanna Health. The camp offers students a chance to explore careers in the health care field. Students entering grades nine to 12 attended hands-on workshops Wednesday and Thursday in the college’s exercise science, paramedic technology, occupational therapy assistant, physician assistant, nursing, radiography, dental hygiene and surgical technology majors. To round out their experience, they toured Susquehanna Health’s Williamsport Hospital.

Emergency Scenarios Aid Students’ Real-Life Readiness

While students from other majors observe, nursing student Amanda S. Kopczick, of Mifflinburg, takes the temperature of “patient” Kristina N. Varner, of Lewisburg.

Around 250 students and employees from the School of Health Sciences participated in three days’ worth of emergency simulations on campus this week. In its third year, the exercise is known as the Interdisciplinary Professional Event and provides a unique opportunity for students and faculty from different majors within the School of Health Sciences to collaboratively care for patients.

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Small-Group Discussions Reflect Big-Picture Import of Health Care Collaboration

Whit Worman, director of Penn College's physician assistant program, facilitates a discussion that includes Kyle G. Stavinski, an emergency medical services major from Elysburg (left) and physician assistant student Kevin Z. Richardson, of Williamsport.

Scott A. Geist (left foreground), director of the surgical technology program, and Cletus G. Waldman Jr. (right-center), clinical director of radiography, engage their roundtable participants.

Heather S. Dorman, clinical director of physician assistant, lays out a scenario during the interactive exercise.

Mark A. Trueman (center), director of paramedic technology programs at the college, follows the flowing conversation.

As part of an event that spanned northeastern and northcentral Pennsylvania and involved more than 1,000 students at various locations across the region, the sixth annual Collaborative Care Summit convened at Penn College on Wednesday. Nineteen dedicated  faculty/staff facilitators from a variety of health professions, including physicians, led discussions in the Bush Campus Center among students from several colleges and universities who are pursuing studies in a wide range of health disciplines. The Collaborative Care Summit is arranged by the Northeastern/Central Pennsylvania Interprofessional Education Coalition – of which Sharon K. Waters, associate dean of health sciences, is a member. Waters coordinated the Penn College event, and co-presented the opening session with Dr. Keith Shenberger, Susquehanna Health TCMC, which brought together about 100 students from Penn College, Lock Haven University, Wilkes University and The Commonwealth Medical College. The students participated in roundtable discussions of a medical case, learning from one another how each discipline contributes to a patient’s care. “The goal of interprofessional learning is to prepare all health professions students for deliberatively working together, with the goal of building a safer and better patient-centered and community-orientated health care system,” Waters explained. “It was impressive to hear what each student contributed to the interprofessional discussion and rewarding to know our students are being prepared to work  as a collaborative team toward quality patient care.” Student participants represented 10 professions, from paramedic to pharmacy to medicine to nursing. Simultaneous events were held in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre at Marywood University, The Commonwealth Medical College, The University of Scranton, Kings College and Misericordia University.

Health Sciences Students Talk Team Approach to Patient Care

Tushanna M. Habalar (right foreground), learning laboratory coordinator for nursing education, was among the facilitators for Friday's interdisciplinary exercise.

Students representing nearly all of the majors in the School of Health Sciences gathered in the Thompson Professional Development Center on Friday to learn from one another as they discussed their differing roles in a medical case. The “tabletop” Interdisciplinary Professional Event is designed to help Penn College students understand the perspectives and duties of others on a medical team in the interest of holistic treatment for their future patients. The school provides its students with a hands-on IPE in the spring, when actors simulate medical emergencies across campus.
Photo by Kim A. Speicher, dental hygiene instructor

Radiography Seniors Hold ‘Pink Out’

Clinical supervisors Lauren E. Reed (far left, back row) and Karen L. Plankenhorn (far right, back row) join the senior class of radiographers in a "Pink Out."

Honoring a traditional October observance that is closely aligned with their chosen career path, radiography seniors observed a “Pink Out” on Wednesday. “I encouraged my class to dress in pink … in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said  Karen L. Plankenhorn, clinical supervisor for radiography. “I worked as a mammographer prior to coming to the college and I teach the Mammography class in the spring, so breast-cancer awareness is near and dear to me.”
Photo by Cletus G. Waldman Jr., clinical director for radiography