Rend Lake College News

Hospital donates more than $268k in equipment to help RLC Students

Written by Reece Rutland | Aug 14, 2018 5:00:00 AM

INA, Ill. (Aug 14, 2018) - Through the extreme generosity of the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mt. Vernon, Rend Lake College Radiologic Technology and Bio-Medical students will get the opportunity to train on a trifecta of machines that represent the cutting edge in medical imaging.

SSM has donated a Sequoia Ultrasound unit, Shimadzu portable x-ray, and a Ziehm Exposcop 7000 C-Arm, with a total value more than $268,000.

“For our Rad Tech students, they will get some hands-on training with these pieces of equipment that, up until now, they were not introduced to until their clinical rotations began during their second semester. This donation will greatly benefit our students by allowing them to get some hospital experience prior to stepping foot into their clinical rotation,” explained Holly Heisner, Radiologic Technology Program Director.

On-hand to commemorate the donation were (pictured left-to-right): Holly Heisner, Radiology Program Director (RLC); Barry Baughn, Ultrasound Supervisor (GSH); Jenny White, Diagnostic Lead Technician (GSH); Kay Zibby-Damron, Chief Executive Officer, RLC Foundation; David Dykstra, Sr. Diagnostic Imaging Specialist (GSH); Randy Shields, Director of Diagnostic Imaging (GSH).

For their part, SSM said they are proud and grateful of the relationships that have been established with local post-secondary education institutions.

Kay Zibby-Damron, CEO of the Rend Lake College Foundation, was on hand to facilitate the donation.

“Our ability to provide high-quality instruction using state of the art medical technology and equipment is imperative to the success of our students in the healthcare industry. We are very grateful to SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital for this very generous donation and enhancement to our programs,” she expressed.

“With the rising cost of education coupled with decreased state and federal funding, the private support we receive from businesses and individuals throughout our district is critical to maintaining our high standards of instruction. Rend Lake College is very fortunate to have strong community partners like SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital,” said Zibby-Damron.

For more information regarding RLC’s Radiologic Technology Program visit www.rlc.edu/allied-health/radiology-tech or call (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1251.