​QCC’s Rad Tech Students Reap Benefits from Activation Fund Grant

WORCESTER, MA—October 18, 2021— The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts (THFCM) has made a long-lasting impact to Quinsigamond Community College’s Radiologic Technology (RT) program. Funds awarded through THFCM’s 2020 Activation Fund grant enabled the College to purchase state-of-the-art digital radiography equipment that gives students the real-world experience they need to be successful radiologic technologists in today’s world.

The $70,790 grant was the second largest awarded to 14 organizations, which made it possible for the College to purchase and install an upgrade to its current Computed Radiography (CR) System, as well as a Canon CDXI 710C Direct Capture imaging system (DR).  The School of Healthcare began training students with the new equipment beginning in January 2021.

Dr. Jan Yost, president and CEO of THFCM stated, “Advances in imaging technology continue to improve the quality of health care delivery. The Foundation was pleased to support QCC in its efforts to upgrade its instructional equipment to be consistent with the equipment used at hospitals in Worcester County so that graduates of their Radiologic Technology program enter the workforce skilled in the use of the latest technology.”

“Through the support of THFCM, the QCC RT Program can educate future radiologic technologists with the most current technology on the market and provide healthcare facilities in the Worcester community with graduates who are ready to perform with ‘boots on the ground’ skills,” said Susan Whittier, associate professor and program coordinator for QCC’s Radiologic Technology Program.

The new equipment aligns with QCC’s curriculum, and students can learn, understand and train on comparable equipment they would be using as registered radiologic technologists. The vast majority of hospitals now use this type of imaging system in place of the more traditional imaging, enabling RT students to be workforce ready when they graduate. QCC’s RT program has clinical affiliations with Health Alliance Leominster Campus, Heywood Hospital, Marlborough Hospital, St. Vincent’s Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center Memorial Campus, and UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus.

RT students and Class of 2022 officers Christina Ruberti, Molly Shea, Natalie Duda and Jaime Loach noted what an impact the grant has made on students.

“As the QCC class of 2022, we would like to thank THFCM for their generosity in helping us obtain up to date equipment for our lab. With this new equipment, we are able to learn the most recent technology and be prepared to go out into the workforce. As Direct Capture imaging is becoming more prevalent in the field, we can say that we are now more qualified than we were with the antiquated Computed Radiography equipment. We thank you for your contribution to our education.”

Each year, QCC’s RT Program can accept up to 20 students. Graduates of the program must take and pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists credentialing exam, in order to be employed as a radiologic technologist.

For more information about QCC, contact Josh Martin, Director of Institutional Communications at 508.854.7513 or jmartin [at] qcc.mass.edu

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