ATU-Ozark cardiac program moves to ACHE facility

The Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus began classes for its cardiac sonography program in its new location in the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) Research Institute Health and Wellness Center at 1000 Fianna Way in Fort Smith in August.

“The new facility is a great upgrade for our students,” said Kristen Wendling, ATU-Ozark cardiac sonography chair. “We are excited about the partnership with ACHE and the opportunities this offers for both our students and the community. The new location provides added security and better accommodations for both the students and the volunteers who come to allow the students to practice their cardiac sonography skills.”

The program encompasses about 2,800 square feet in the Research Institute Health and Wellness Center, said Sam Strasner, director of university relations. The new location provides students with access to an oversized lobby, grab-and-go food court and art gallery. These amenities, as well as seating areas outside the building, give students a chance to interact beyond the classroom during lunch and breaks, a news release said.

The program was formerly housed at Chaffee Crossing. ATU pays $24,000 annual rent for the space and invested $19,900 to prep the space, including the cost to install equipment and furnishings, Strasner said.

“I can honestly say, walking into the new building where the Arkansas Tech-Ozark cardiac sonography program is now being held gave me a sense of pride, not only for myself, the students and faculty in our program, but also for ATU-Ozark,” said Phyllis Martin, a freshman in the program. “The ACHE staff have welcomed us to the new building and seem happy we are here, which gives all of us a sense of connection.”

The ATU-Ozark cardiac sonography program is a specialty area of cardiac imaging utilizing ultrasound technology to evaluate a patient’s heart. The program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, provides educational training specialized in sonography for the heart.

According to the ATU-Ozark website, the associates degree program is blended. The first two semesters (fall & spring) in the program are in-person, in-class, and in-person clinical rotations. The third semester (summer) has online classes with in-person clinical rotations. Students who complete the program will be prepared to enter the healthcare field in cardiac sonography labs as cardiac sonographers.

Cardiac sonography, also known as echocardiography, is a specialty area of cardiac imaging that uses ultrasound technology to evaluate the heart. A cardiac sonographer uses sound waves created by the machine to acquire images of cardiac chambers, walls, valves and blood flow. Cardiac sonographers generally work with cardiologists, who use the images to diagnose cardiac diseases.

Students completing the associate degree in cardiac sonography can sit for the Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) exam through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) exam through American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). According to the ATU-Ozark website, graduates from the program have had a 100% pass rate on the CCI cardiac sonography exam for the past three years.

The program has averaged an enrollment of 15 students in the program since 2016, with an average of 13 graduates from the program each year. Of the 12 graduates in 2022, 12 are employed in cardiac sonography, according to ATU-Ozark.

Strasner said the program can take a maximum of 15 students. From start to finish, the program takes three semesters. It is a cohort program beginning each fall. The program has two instructors.