New advanced ultrasound equipment given to Boise State University by St. Luke’s Health System supports the ongoing training of the university’s radiologic sciences and other students, and underscores the relationship between the two organizations.
The donation from St. Luke’s ensures that Boise State students have access to the latest technology in the field. That’s good for students, the university and St. Luke’s Health System, which has hired hundreds of Boise State alumni for clinical and non-clinical positions.
The new Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc. ACUSON S2000 ultrasound system, which has 3D and 4D capabilities, replaces older equipment and ensures that Boise State students can practice and train on technology currently in use across the region and the country. The same equipment is used at several St. Luke’s locations.
The equipment is valued at about $185,000. A full suite of probes, each valued at about $30,000, accompanies the gift, which will be housed and used in the Department of Radiologic Sciences within the College of Health Sciences on the Boise State campus.
Students will have the chance to practice sonography, learn vascular and abdominal imaging techniques, and train in additional imaging skills.
Since Boise State’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program began in 1996, it has graduated more than 100 sonographers. The program accepts one of every three applicants, with an average program participant GPA of 3.8. Program graduates experience a 93 percent first-time pass rate on national board examinations and a 98 percent job placement rate within one month of graduation.
Boise State alumni work for St. Luke’s in computerized tomography, ultrasound, MRI, radiology and other imaging services and functions.
Boise State staff, faculty and students and St. Luke’s executives and staff members will celebrate the collaboration at a reception Oct. 16.