More than 25 graduate from Diagnostic Medical Sonography program
Hanceville, AL 鈥� More than 25 students were recognized during a pinning ceremony for
the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at 糖心视频. Thirteen
students from the Abdomen/Vascular pathway and 16 from the Cardiovascular pathway
successfully completed their studies, with the majority of those already passing at
least one board exam to earn certifications.
鈥淔or some this is your Mount Everest summit,鈥� said Program Director April Sutherland.
鈥淚t is a huge accomplishment to receive this tiny little pin that we鈥檙e going to give
you. But while this pin indicates successful completion, it does not indicate the
end. It means that you made it to the beginning of your career in health care. A career
that will allow you to take care of others. This pin means you have earned the right
to be called a sonographer. I challenge you to respect that right. Never take for
granted what you do and how important it is.鈥�
鈥淭oday is a celebration of what we achieved, but tomorrow is when the real work begins,鈥�
said Zachary Cato, class president for the Cardiovascular cohort. 鈥淭omorrow you will
be responsible for detecting pathological abnormalities that not only prevent medical
emergencies, but ultimately save lives. You鈥檙e now pillars in patient care plans.鈥�
Cato, of Birmingham, encouraged his fellow classmates to continue to learn, be humble
and to not be too hard on themselves as they enter the workforce.
鈥淭hink about all the times you questioned your abilities鈥nd yet here we are today.
You鈥檝e overcome those doubts and you will continue to push through the challenges
ahead.鈥�
Samantha Uptain of Parrish, president of the Abdomen/Vascular cohort, encouraged her
classmates to look back and see how far they鈥檝e come.
鈥淟et鈥檚 take this moment and recognize the hard work that has got us here, the late
nights, the struggles and the many clinical hours. All these experiences shaped us
and prepared us to be the best sonographers that we can be.鈥�
During the ceremony, awards were presented to the valedictorians from each cohort
as well as clinical excellence awards.
Ava Raine of Boaz was named valedictorian of the Abdomen/Vascular class, while Autum
Buttrum of Loretta, Tenn., was named the valedictorian of the Cardiovascular class.
Clinical Excellence awards were presented to Heidi Hernandez-Martinez of Douglas from
the Abdomen/Vascular class and Leah Oglesby of McCalla from the Cardiovascular class.
Members of the Abdomen/Vascular class of 2024 include:
- Gracie Allred, RDMS of Sulligent
- Chloe Chisenall, RDMS, RVT, of Scottsboro
- Heidi Hernandez-Martinez, RDMS, of Douglas
- Samantha Uptain, RDMS of Parrish
- Halie Jones, RDMS of Huntsville
- Melissa Mapp of Moody
- Carley Mason, RDMS, RVT of Rainsville
- Jalynn McGee, RDMS of Winchester, Tenn.
- Taylor Porter of Addison
- Ava Rains, RDMS, RVT of Boaz
- Landan Shaffer of Phil Campbell
- Kendall Simpson, RDMS, RVT of Sand Rock
- Kelsey Willis of Bristol, Tenn.
Members of the Cardiovascular class of 2024 include:
- Autumn Buttrum of Loretto, Tenn.
- Zachary Cato, RDCS, RVT of Birmingham
- Emily Clemons, RDCS, RVT, of Scottsboro
- Savannah Dean, RDCS, RVS of Athens
-
Kayla Fielding, RDCS of Huntsville
- Carol Finley, RDCS, RVT of Rainsville
- Addison Jones, RDCS of Tuscumbia
- Molli Kimbrough, RCS of Tuscumbia
- Madilyn Laughner, RDCS of West Point, Tenn.
- Kaylee Lester, RCS, RVT of Greenhill
- Mia Michel, RDCS, RVT of Baton Rouge, La.
- Leah Oglesby, RDCS, RVT of McCalla
- Kaylee Radford, RDCS of Millville, N.J.
- Kaylee Smith, RDCS, RVT of Falkville
- Laney Ward, RVT of Buchanan, Ga.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program offers three associate degree pathway options,
Abdomen/Vascular, Cardiovascular and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Applications for admission
are accepted annually from March 1 to June 1 for fall entry. For more information,
visit wallacestate.edu/Sonography, call 256.352.8334 or email mindie.sandlin@wallacestate.edu.
Registration for the Spring 2025 semester is currently underway, with classes beginning
Jan. 8 for Regular and Mini Term I. Mini Term II classes will begin March 6. Registration
and classes for Flex Start courses will be Jan. 14-21 for Flex Start I and Jan. 22-29
for Flex Start II.
Visit to apply and register for classes or visit Lion Central in the Bailey Center or call
256.352.8000.
See photos from the pinning ceremony at and video at .
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糖心视频 糖心视频
糖心视频 (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College
System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more
than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an
associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and
adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the
Aspen Institute as a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence,
ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South
for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for
Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College
in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, 糖心视频
is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes
are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start
dates each year. Visit 糖心视频鈥檚 beautiful main campus located on 300-acres
in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online
at , or call 256.352.8000.
Media Contact
- Kristen Holmes
- Vice President for Students and Chief Marketing Officer
- 256-352-8233
- kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
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