Members of the 48th graduating class of the
North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology celebrated their accomplishments with a ceremony and reception June 29.
Commencement was held in the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center, located
within North Oaks Diagnostic Center. Graduates are pictured above (seated
from left): Breonne Genet Williams of Kentwood, Louisiana; Chloe Michelle
Madere of LaPlace, Louisiana; Lindsey Ranee’ Fleck of Eureka, California;
Victoria Hope Tyler of Pineville, Louisiana; Bevin Kassidy Redmond of
Greensburg, Louisiana; Jessica Lynn Knippers of McComb, Mississippi; (standing,
from left) Chad Joseph LaBranche of Montz, Louisiana; Kevin Lee Freeman
of Hammond; and Trevante DaJohn Taylor of Clinton, Louisiana.
The commencement address was delivered by Michele Sutton, president and
chief executive officer of North Oaks Health System, who recounted the
role that radiologic technologists played in her mother’s 13-year
battle with cancer.
“My greatest wish for you is that you experience a connection with
a patient or family like we did. The gift you will receive in return is
priceless,” Sutton shared. “You will be filled with pride,
peace and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment for easing someone else’s
burden – if just for a moment.”
She continued, “Patients may come to you at their worst, but they
need to see you at your best. You never get a second chance to make a
first impression.”
North Oaks Medical Center’s education director Nicole Barnum presided
over the ceremony that concluded two years of study for the students involving
2,000 clinical hours, more than 1,200 classroom hours and more than 400
exams and quizzes.
Prior to the presentation of diplomas by program director Marsha J. Talbert,
outstanding achievement awards were given. The Academic Achievement Award
was presented to Williams for obtaining the highest overall scholastic
average, and the Performance and Attitude Award for exceptional performance
in the clinical setting was given to LaBranche.
Dr. Rodney Taylor presented the Dannye Young Taylor “Always Remembering
Others Award,” named in honor of his wife, to Fleck in recognition
of her outstanding patient care skills.
In addition, Freeman, Williams and Taylor were recognized as members of
Lambda Nu, a national honor society for the Radiologic and Imaging Sciences.
To become a member, one must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
out of a possible 4.0.
Established in 1967, the North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology is
accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
(JRCERT). The school offers a comprehensive 24-month program that provides
classroom and clinical instruction to prepare students for careers in
the field of diagnostic imaging, which is used to diagnose and treat diseases
and injuries. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the American
Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) National Certification examination
and apply for Louisiana state licensure.
Applications for the 2018-20 class will be accepted through June 1, 2018.
To request an application, call or write: Program Director, North Oaks
School of Radiologic Technology, P.O. Box 2668, Hammond, Louisiana, 70404,
(985) 230-7805. Applications also are available on-line for printing
here.