The 11 members of the Misericordia University December 2014 medical imaging graduating class recently passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national certification examination in radiography.

For the past 27 years, the medical imaging program has routinely experienced higher pass rates than the national average. Since October 1988, 453 graduates have taken the ARRT Radiography examination and 437 have passed on their first attempt, resulting in an overall pass rate of 96.47 percent, according to ARRT data for 49 different test dates. Of the 49 test dates, Misericordia graduates have achieved a 100-percent pass rate 38 times.

Four members of the December 2014 graduating class also achieved several significant accomplishments, as one member of the class scored a 95 and three others scored higher than 90 percent on the national certification examination.

Members of the December 2014 graduating class from Misericordia University are: Molly Burke, Hanover Twp., Pa.; Alexander Chinikaylo, Dallas, Pa.; Megan Estelow, Lansdale, Pa.; Jillian Fife, Callicoon, N.Y.; Arthur Gialanella, Kingston, Pa.; Terra Hall, Sunbury, Pa.; Colleen Hunt, Stow, Ohio; Elissa Jennings, Laceyville, Pa.; Eva Kremenic, Hanover Twp., Pa.; Breanne Nagle, Mountain Top, Pa., and Kelsey Neumeister, Hegins, Pa.

ARRT is the world's largest credentialing organization that seeks to ensure high quality patient care in radiologic technology, according to the agency. It tests and certifies technologists and administers continuing education and ethics requirements for its annual registration.

Misericordia University has the only Bachelor of Science-level medical imaging program in northeastern Pennsylvania and is one of only two in the state. Nationally, there are 33 programs accredited by JRCERT, according to Elaine Halesey, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(QM), professor and chairwoman of medical imaging. The program features four full-time faculty members with more than 90 combined years of professional and academic experience who are also cross-trained in multiple disciplines.

The medical imaging program also has strong relationships with 29 clinical sites in the region, some of which have been with the program since its inception in 1973. This relationship affords MU students valuable clinical internships at prestigious facilities that provide real-world experience.

Medical imaging students at Misericordia concentrate on the general X-ray department until their senior year, when they are then cross trained to become multi-skilled in a radiological specialty area of their choice. They learn specializations like CTs, MRIs or cardiac catheterization while also serving internships in regional health care facilities. A career in medical imaging offers numerous opportunities due to the myriad of specialty fields. A medical imaging major, for example, can specialize in radiography, mobile radiography, nuclear medicine, mammography and sonography. They can also become educators or work in the sales or management sector.

For more information about the medical imaging program at Misericordia University, please log on to www.misericordia.edu/mi or call (570) 674-6400. Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County's first four-year college and offers 36 academic programs on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full- and part-time formats.

Caption:

The Misericordia University December 2014 medical imaging graduating class recently passed the ARRT national certification examination in radiography to maintain the program's tradition of 100-percent pass rates. Members of the class are, first row from left, Jillian Fife, Callicoon, N.Y.; Megan Estelow, Lansdale, Pa.; Kelsey Neumeister, Hegins, Pa.; Eva Kremenic, Hanover Twp., Pa.; Elissa Jennings, Laceyville, Pa.; Breanne Nagle, Mountain Top, Pa.; second row, Alexander Chinikaylo, Dallas, Pa.; Molly Burke, Hanover Twp., Pa.; Terra Hall, Sunbury, Pa.; Colleen Hunt, Stow, Ohio, and Arthur Gialanella, Kingston, Pa.